(M. Chiara Biagioni, SIR’s correspondent in Brussels / Malines)) – The appeal made by the 138 Muslim Wise Men to the leaders of the Christian Churches means "offering a helping hand, that is accepted very willingly by the leaders of the Christian Churches". These are the words of mgr. Pero Sudar, auxiliary bishop of Sarajevo, during the Islamo-Christian conference that from 20th to 23rd October is gathering about fifty Muslims and Christians in Brussels to discuss European citizenship. The 138 authors of the Letter "A Common Word" include the Great Mufti of Bosnia Herzegovina, Mustafa Ceric. "I believe that this initiative says mgr. Sudar is very important because it has come at a time in which we feared a head-on conflict from the intellectuals and felt the risk that confrontation might be the chosen approach. This letter is like offering a helping hand. We are off to a good start, then, because at last we are understanding that no religion, no Church or religious community is believable today in the world, unless it finds a way to cooperate with the other Churches and religious communities. I look at these initiatives with great hope and confidence". "We adds mgr. Sudar have a centuries-old experience in the cohabitation of different ethnic groups and religions, and we can testify that this is possible. On the other hand, unfortunately, we can also testify that everything will end up in tragedy if dialogue with the others is not raised to the level of a preferential option". ” ” ” “
