The dialogue with Islam as a weapon against terrorism: a document of the German bishops The social integration of immigrants of Islamic faith, a problem long felt in Germany, is experiencing a difficult moment at the moment, in the aftermath of the American tragedy. If on the one hand provisions restrictive of immigration are called for, and immediately adopted, on the other it is simultaneously pointed out that these provisions are not aimed at Islamic citizens as a whole, but at discovering those extremist groups that may enjoy religious protection; it is in this spirit that the abolition of the law that granted religious privileges (guaranteed by the law of 1964 on freedom of association) should be interpreted. That the process of integration should not be arrested, in full respect for the law, and that the “real enemy to be combated is not Islam but terrorism”, is however the central concern of German Chancellor Schroeder who – the first European leader to take such an initiative – convened in the Chancellery in Berlin the representatives of the major religious communities present in Germany to give “a concrete signal of willingness for dialogue after the deterioration of the social climate”. Firm in their condemnation of the terrorist attacks of 11 September, but alert to the need to separate the stigmatization of terrorism from the attitude to the Islamic faith in general, is the position of the Catholic Church. Exemplary in this regard is the document published by the German bishops and presented by Cardinal Karl Lehmann on 28 September at the end of their General Assembly held in Fulda. The document entitled “Reinforcing dialogue” is clear and precise in its censure of the violence of anyone who commits terrorist acts, and in its warning again responses that are equally violent and untargeted, and that might “lead to a spiral of hatred without end”. Summing up the conclusions of the study day of 26 September on dialogue with Islam, on the theme: “Islam in Germany. Challenges and opportunities for the Church”, the document urges, above all, that “Islam not be stereotyped and identified with terrorism”, not least because “representatives of Islam have condemned the attacks . . . explaining in an unequivocal manner that the perpetrators of such deeds could in no way seek to justify their actions by appealing to Islam, since “as believers we regard what has happened as an attack on the name of God and his creature: man”. The German bishops further emphasize the importance “of pursuing and deepening dialogue with Moslem men and women” and conclude by expressing their consciousness of the diversity between the two religions, Christian and Moslem, and also their desire to retain these differences: “We have no fear of contact, but nor do we fear diversity . . . we will dedicate ourselves to ensure that Moslems may live in our country in conformity with their religion. The same conditions must also hold good for Christians in Islamic countries. Let us join together in defending political and social justice in our world” United in their condemnation of the identification between Islam and terrorism, the representatives of the Evangelical Churches in Germany consider that after the attacks the danger of fundamentalism is strong and recognize the shortcomings of their own conduct to Moslems in Germany since the Seventies. Bishop Rolf Koppe, head of the Evangelical Churches for interreligious relations, says that “those responsible for relations with Islam in our churches need, above all, knowledge and constitutional protection. His views are echoed by Peter Steinacker, President of the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau, according to whom “in future we must observe Islamic organizations in Germany with greater attention than in the past” because, though Islam is fundamentally peaceful, “Christians must never stop asking Moslems what is their relation with the fundamental law, and whether they are willing to put the fundamental law above the Sharia”. And from their privileged observatory of Christian-Moslem cultural exchanges with the Islamic university in Cairo and the “Christian-Moslem consultations”, the Evangelical Churches have warned against the not always peaceful attitude that may result from certain readings of the Koran. Patrizia Collesi
