RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —  King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has called for a dialogue among monotheistic religions — including Judaism.

Abdullah's announcement marks the first such proposal from a country where non-Muslims are banned from practicing their faith.

Abdullah said the kingdom's top clerics have given him approval to pursue his idea. He says he plans to get the opinion of Muslim leaders from other countries.

Abdullah's message of tolerance comes at a time of religious tensions caused by the re-igniting of a two-year-old controversy over Danish cartoons deemed by Muslims to be insulting.

Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden, in a recent audio message, has warned of a "severe" reaction for Europe's publication of the cartoons.