The Pope in Egypt: Ferrara (Ambassador to Algeria) “religions can do a lot to open windows and doors”

“The problem is violence, not radicalization. Saint Francis of Assisi was radical but he was not a violent person. Each person is free to go to the roots of his religion and strictly apply its tenets. Thus the issue is not religion nor a radical approach to it, but rather the belief that solutions can be achieved with violence and terrorism.” Pasquale Ferrara, Italian ambassador to Algeria, wished to make this point before beginning the interview. Career diplomat, Professor of diplomacy at Rome’s Luiss University and at the “Sophia” University Institute in Loppiano, he authored thea book “Il mondo di Francesco. Bergoglio e la politica internazionale” (“The world of Francis. Bergoglio and International Politics”, Trans.’s note.). We met him a few days after the attack in London, for which Daesh claimed responsibility, ahead of Pope Francis’ Apostolic visit to Cairo.

What is the Pope’s role in disarming people’s intentions?

He plays a fundamental role. In fact he is the true counter-narration of violent extremism, determinedly reaffirming on many occasions that religions are part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

A concrete example is the visit to Lesbos. Governments were stalling, unable to make a move. He decided to go on site with the patriarchs of Greece and Constantinople to express the Churches’ closeness to those in difficulty. They are the voice of those without a voice. Their task is not to solve the problem but to highlight a problem that is humanitarian and of humaneness.

What is the significance of the Pope’s visit to Cairo, in terms of the relationship with Al Azhar University, after years of separation and coldness?

It has a deep value, especially for its symbolical bearing. A large part of the Arab and Islamic world sees Al Azhar as a point of reference also in doctrinal terms. Indeed, Islam lacks a hierarchical organization, nor does it have a pyramidal structure with regard to religious precepts. However, Al Azhar’s authority is recognised throughout the Islamic Sunni world. The fact that the Catholic Pope will visit the most prominent centre of Sunni Islamic theology has an immense value. In these countries Christianity is perceived as the religious face of economic liberalism.

But Francis is a Pope that extends horizons.

First of all because he is not a European Pope, and then because he sends a message of universality to Christianity and calls upon religions to spread this very universality that possesses a collective identity.

In what way?
As we try to protect ourselves and seek shelter is our nations and our small homelands, religions can give a great contribution to open doors and windows, and claim that self-closure is not the answer. The answer is to work together, because the issues we are called to address are huge questions that involve us all.

This process reflects Al Azhar’s University ongoing attempt to present an enlightened Islam, capable of responding to the challenges of our times, chiefly the question of terrorism. Is this true?

Sometimes, when speaking of violent extremism and of so-called Islamic terrorism, we tend to forget that Arabs and Muslims are the first victims of this form of violence. It’s something we should remember.

In your opinion what is the most complex knot needing to be untangled?

There is a hanging question throughout the Arab world that involves the preparation and the formation of Imams. Precisely because Islam lacks a centralised source of authority, it’s important to avoid custom-made mosques. However, there exists a fragmented reality that is widespread throughout Europe, and even more so in Islamic Countries. Another major issue involves the interpretation of Islam, because if the interpretation of the text is removed from the context of the history and the identity of the various Countries, it risks sparking off violent extremism.

What could be the impact of the steps that are being taken both by Pope Francis and by Al Azhar, on the establishment of peace in the geopolitical arena?
Religions must abide by their nature as religions, and politics must abide by politics. We can’t expect religions to solve the Syrian crisis or the problem of world hunger. But it should also be said that religions do two fundamental things. They reaffirm – if they are authentic – the dimension of the universal human family, and ensure that the questions faced by society in the various Countries are paramount issues on the world agenda, such as the theme of inequality, exclusion, employment.

The fight on violent extremism requires a commitment to ensure that everyone has a dignified prospect of life and to give young generations a hope for the future.

In your capacities as Italian Ambassador to Algeria, what are your hopes regarding the Pope’s visit to Egypt?

I hope it will dissipate myths.

Both the Arab’s world view of the West and the Western view of the Arab world thrive on myths. We refer to Islam as a sort of abstract, potentially dangerous entity. The same is true for Islam, which sees the Western world as an economic and military power, a neo-imperialistic, dangerous face with which dialogue is impossible. We should instead grow used to seeing religious diversity as something normal, identify ourselves as people who are facing the same issues to find a solution.

Does it correspond to what Pope Francis told Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayyib, Grand Imam of al-Azhar, during the private audience in the Vatican, namely that “The meeting is the message?”

We should be careful not to expect sudden, substantial, structural changes. It will be necessary to constantly ensure that this process continues to thrive, inspirited also by events such as this one.