With the right words

Dialogue between religions to implement a pacified society; the need to educate the youth to acknowledge their own roots and have open solidarity-based approaches; political institutions recognizing “the public space” of religious communities. Many different topics were addressed on May 14th during the meeting on “Interreligious Dialogue and active citizenship” promoted by the EU in Brussels in the framework of European Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008.Focus on education. “We need to create an inclusive solidarity-based society. This process envisages also dialogue between the religions that are present in Europe”. Journalist Shada Islam, who has been working over these years, delivered the opening address of the event attended by many participants. “For this reason – she continued – we need to overcome stereotyping and labeling” and counter “the prejudice-plague”. Education commissioner Jan Figel’, expressed his belief that “the EU today is characterized by diversity as relates to nationality, language, profession and culture. The time has come to consider also the plurality and the importance of religions since this presence enhances integration” both within the 27 Member States as well as in the EU’s relationship with the rest of the world. “Religions, beliefs and convictions are part of society and reverberate within the public life – the commissioner continued -. However, our heritage should not be confined to a corner”. Figel’ lingered upon the topic of education, enabling the knowledge of our history, of the reality in which we live, in order to “understand our counterparts” aiming “at unity”. Towards a tolerant and democratic society . “Religious faith is a key-factor in the life of millions”. In this framework, it represents European society of the Third Millennium. Abduljalil Sajid, President of the Birtish Muslim Council for Racial and Religious Harmony, conveyed the voice of the Muslim world. He voiced his support to promote “mutual knowledge and respect”, “the respect of the Law” , and the creation of moments of confrontation. “However, knowledge without action is not sufficient”, he explained. In this sense, active citizenship must correspond to a concrete commitment for the creation of a respectful, democratic and tolerant society”. Mr. Sajid spoke out the increasing “anti-Islamic as well as anti-zionist and racial behaviour in contemporary Europe. This is why I believe that dialogue and mutual knowledge are ways to overcome hatred and discrimination”. The Imam expressed his support to Turkey’s entry in the EU, representing “a bridge” towards the Muslim world. Knowing oneself to know others. Nadine Iarchy, vice-chairperson of the International Council of Jewish Women, guarded against the possibility that “the youth, even those in our communities, tend to loose their profound identity, their faith, their values of reference, and their history. If you don’t know yourself and your religion then it will be hard to understand others'” preventing an openness to dialogue which is crucial in globalized society. However, not even a solid identity is sufficient. “We need to find the right words, the right approach which enables a true confrontation with everyone”. “Today’s Europe must enhance the understanding and the respect of differences”.Europe’s distinctive mark. On his part, the vice-chairman of the European Parliament, Mario Mauro, quoted Plato “who was neither Christian, Jewish nor Muslim”. “Plato said that no law is more effective than understanding”. Therefore, within the EU, but also in the international arena”, “it is necessary to cooperate so that the dialogue between cultures and religions may represent Europe’s distinctive mark”. Mauro then mentioned the “numerous signs for hope and dialogue present in daily lives”, informal initiatives which bring together persons and families from different cultural and religious backgrounds. “European institutions are called to actively sustain all examples of dialogue and coexistence. This is a crucial investment for our future”. At the same time “it’s necessary to erect an intellectual and cultural bridge over the Mediterranean aimed at the promotion of an inclusive society where everyone may have an active role”. Mauro concluded remarking that “Europe needs educational policies aiming at the integral development of the individual within an intercultural perspective marked by greater social cohesion”.