” “In dialogue for peace” “

Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September, Islam in Europe has also changed. To review the situation, but more especially to draw up a common project, the joint KEK-CCEE “Islam in Europe” Committee met in Brussels from 7 to 9 March. The Committee’s last meeting was held in Sarajevo just after the terrorist attacks on the USA. Since then, Islam in Europe “has undergone a dual development”, explains Father Hans Vöcking , moderator of the Committee, in an interview with SIR; we met him at the end of the meeting in Brussels. Islam in Europe. Between 10 and 12 million Moslems are living in the 15 countries of the European Union, and the number of those living in Eastern and Central Europe is hardly any less. In most of these countries – with the exception of the former Yugoslavia and Bulgaria – their presence is relatively recent. Islam is characterized by extreme pluralism: its believers range from very traditionalist Moslems to those who are seeking new forms of Islam in Europe. “So on the one hand – says Vöcking – there are those who have decided to adopt very clear positions; they have made a point of clarifying their own views on terrorism in a series of official declarations and communiqués, and reaffirmed their intention to integrate fully in Europe and their willingness to accept the democratic rules of the game that operate in Western societies. But we are also witnessing another movement of Moslems who look at this development in a rather distanced manner; they prefer to keep silent, adopt a low profile and not make public statements”. The majority of Moslems who live in Europe – adds Vöcking – do not form part of Islamic organizations and hence regard politics with “a certain neutrality”. The Islamic organizations also fall into two categories: “Some – points out Vöcking – persist is remaining self-enclosed and self-absorbed. But there are also cases, especially in states like France, Germany and Italy, in which organized Moslems have made important declarations in favour of peace and democracy”. Dialogue. On the front of Christian-Islamic dialogue, it has to be said that the 11 September has not generated any great changes. Rather, it has introduced “one further reason for conducting and defending dialogue in Europe”. That explains the numerous initiatives taken by the Episcopal Conferences to promote Christian-Islamic dialogue. “But Moslems too, at least in part – Vöcking explains – have understood the need for them to enter into dialogue with European society and with the Christian Churches that form part of it, and have recognized that this dialogue has now become inevitable and necessary”. One development there has been, however. “After the 11 September – Vöcking notes – dialogue has taken a more practical form. In other words, there was a growing recognition that Moslems and Christians can work together on specific issues and questions to promote peace in society on various fronts”. Forthcoming events. The “Islam in Europe” Committee met in Brussels especially with the aim of deciding “how to follow up the Sarajevo meeting”. “We decided – Vöcking said – to present a joint project to the leaders of KEK and CCEE. The project is aimed at promoting a series of meetings with Moslems to demonstrate that the Christian Churches are interested in dialogue and want to work with Moslems to find practical solutions to the socio-political and cultural questions that are emerging in Europe”. The Committee also wants to place its own skills at the disposal of the Churches. “We are for example working on a set of guidelines – Vöcking announced – in the case in which a Church wants to organize a meeting for peace with representatives of other religions. We are also planning the establishment of a network of those responsible for Christian-Islamic dialogue in the various Episcopal Conferences and in the member Churches of KEK”. The Committee’s next meeting will be held in Prague in September. A meeting with the Moslems living in the Czech Republic and with the leaders of the local Christian Churches will also be organized on that occasion. Maria Chiara Biagioni