On the occasion of the end of Ramadan, card. Karl Lehmann, president of the German Bishops Conference, dedicated the traditional greeting to the Islamic community by taking position on the building of mosques. "I think it is important to repeat that the Catholic Church expressly recognises the right to religious freedom", which "applies to Christians as well as to Muslims, to those who believe in other religions as well as to those who do not believe". This universal right implies "the Muslims’ right to build mosques suitable for the areas in which they live". These building plans however must be "viewed the long term and preceded by in-depth discussions with the residents and the authorities" through an "effective exchange of opinions based on mutual esteem, in which the parties openly discuss the problems related to the choice of a suitable place and the architectural features". To do this, it is essential to continue the Christian-Muslim dialogue, which "keeps having extraordinary importance" and is based on the assumption of recognising and accepting "each other as God’s creatures and as the bearers of the same inalienable dignity as human beings and as the bearers of universal human rights". ” ” ” ” ” “
