The decree, called a fatwa, cites the Koran and says the teaching of the prophet Mohammed "prevents the spilling of blood, Muslim against Muslim, and thus suicide bombings are totally prohibited," the Rev. Canon Andrew White told USA Today.

What is new it the fatwa condemning the suicide attacks and other forms of violence will be issued jointly by Shiite and Sunni leaders, USA Today reported Thursday. Shiite and Sunni leaders negotiated the fatwa during the past few months in Cairo and Denmark. Their travels were partially underwritten by the U.S. Defense Department.

"It's not going to solve all of our problems, but it's the beginning of the process toward the reduction of violence," White said.

White has worked for more than a decade in Baghdad as leader of St. George's Anglican Church. He was the Anglican Church's Middle East envoy from 1997-2000.