The two identities” “

The active role of Muslims as citizens of Europe was discussed in London in recent days at the International Conference “Muslims of Europe” organized by the Al-Khoei Foundation that has been working for over a decade to promote the development of Islamic religion, provide spiritual guidance to Moslem faithful and dispel stereotypes and misunderstandings about Islam. Situated in North London, this Islamic centre – which also comprises a mosque, a girls’ and a boys’ secondary school – is dissociating itself from the extremist attitudes of the Finsbury Park mosque, situated not very far away. At the conference, attended among others by a large number of women, discussion also focused on British and European legislation against discrimination, citizenship, the training of imams, the problem of the high proportion of immigrants among prison inmates, and relations with the other faiths. The fundamental question for the Muslims who live in Europe of that of identity. In this regard, Ahmad Dobson, member of the executive of the “Muslim Council of Britain”, explained that the two realities of “being a Muslim and being a British citizen” are not incompatible: they are placed on different levels and therefore do not require anyone to “choose” between them. “So long as I am free to practice my religion in this country – declared Dobson – I must obey its laws”. The representative of the Muslim Council also urged respect for the other religions, and recalled that “the Koran teaches that God created various tribes”. Roger Abdul Wahab Boase, a long-standing convert to Islam, also has a tolerant and open-minded view of interreligious dialogue. Speaking of pluralism for Islam, he cited various passages from the Koran that urge the faithful “not to ridicule the other faiths” and that recall that “force is inimical to religion”: what’s essential is “submission to God”. Brian Pearce, director of the “Interfaith Network” association, pointed out, in turn, that interreligious dialogue has become of central importance in the contemporary situation. In spite of the divisions that persist, he said, “we can change what we think of others, and what we do to others”. To promote the cohesion of society, added the director of the Interfaith Network, “we need to build bridges” and “to seek the common ground from which we can see the common good”. This process of mutual “understanding” and “trust”, explained Pierce, “requires both a personal dialogue and the formal dialogue” of the institutions. The point of view of the Catholic Church was presented by Alfred Agius, director of the Westminster Interfaith group and head of interreligious dialogue for the diocese of Westminster. Agius insisted on the common dedication of Christians and Muslims to the “promotion of justice and peace”, as well as their shared “respect for their fellowmen” and common attention to the “care and protection of minorities”. He also cited examples of interreligious partnership between Moslem and Christian and more particularly Catholic communities. They include the International Islamic Committee for Dialogue, the process of dialogue undertaken by the Al-Azhar Institute in Cairo – visited by John Paul II in 2000 – and the Pakistan Association for Interreligious Dialogue. Agius lastly recalled “the four pillars of peace: truth, justice, love and freedom”, repeatedly recalled by the Pope. “Justice – he declared – fosters peace if each person respects the rights of others and fulfils his own duty to them”.