Bocconi – 12-20
In the name of God: war or peace?
The answer to the question I was asked: How can we modernize the Arab world? Its answer would require a dedicated debate. I will try to synthesize. The action could be directed towards several ways:
In Europe:
- towards Muslim preachers
- towards the Muslims immigrants in Italy
- towards Europeans:
- towards the Institutions
In Arab countries:
- Women and human development
- politically
- at the level of international organisations
- By taking advantage of their thousand-year experience of the Arab Christians.
In Europe:
- towards Muslim preachers
For an answer it is necessary to ask the Imams (those who lead the prayer in the mosques), especially those not born in Italy, to show clearly their willingness to integrate and their loyalty to the society in which they live, otherwise they remain in a dangerous ambiguity. On this point a serious and constructive dialogue is advisable in order to increase awareness of the issues that Muslim immigration poses. The dialogue must address the integration of Muslims into the fabric of European societies that are so radically different from Islam in terms of mentality, customs and values and the possibility of a civil and peaceful coexistence between Italians and Muslims. Especially because behind Islamic immigration there are often Islamic states that intend to use it for political-religious interests.
- towards the Muslims immigrants in Italy
“We must ensure that Muslims are able to clarify and grasp the meaning and value of the distinction between religion and society, faith and civilization, political Islam and Muslim faith, showing that the demands of personal and community religiosity can be lived in a democratic and secular society where religious pluralism is respected and a climate of mutual respect, acceptance and dialogue is established”. (Card. Martini- Us and Islam”)
“The relationship between Islam and Christianity in the Middle East indicates some critical issues related to the issue of cultural and religious minorities, issues of great importance also for understanding and managing the presence of Muslims in European countries”. (Agnelli Foundation).
- towards the institutions
It is crucial to bring our attention to coexistence issue within our cities, so that the poorest and most marginalized groups do not turn differences into violence. Once there is the will to realize this dream, it will be necessary to create a task force to develop the strategies to adopt and study and the measures to be taken.
Towards the Arab countries:
- Women and human development
We must start from social action and witness: the promotion of human values is the only basis for creating a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. It is important to spread the love of Christ through the witness of life, solidarity and acceptance. In this itinerary, “women take a leading role together with human formation to reflect together, Muslims and Christians, on a common ethical charter to change mutual prejudices. The challenge of the future for the Church and Islam will be, above all, cultural.
- Politically
Objective: economic development and human rights:
The following is what countries could do to establish coexistence between the two so far culturally separated shores of the Mediterranean:
- The economic, cultural and social relaunch of countries extremely in need of western trade and technologies; to demand at governmental level the application in the Arab world of a process of liberalization towards the recognition of human rights.
- To concretely support those who fight against fundamentalism, against all forms of violence and for equality among citizens:
- Support the application of human rights, different citizens but equal before the law.
- Foster freedom of religion and conscience
- Distinguish between a modern socio-economic order and a religious perspective, thus ending the misunderstanding that leads to identifying the West with Christianity.
- at the level of international organisations
The attention of international organizations is mainly focused on the economic development of faraway countries, and little interest has so far been given to the coexistence of peoples, to the mutual knowledge and rediscovery of the values of each ethnic group within our cities.
We must bring our attention to coexistence within our cities, aimed at preventing differences from turning into violence on the part of the poorest and most marginalised groups. Once we have ascertained the willingness to make this dream come true, we will need to create a task force to develop the strategies to be adopted and studied and the actions to be taken.
- Arab Christians: it is important to benefit from their thousand-year experience (Agnelli Foundation). The relationship between Islam and Christianity in the Middle East indicates some critical issues related to the issue of cultural and religious minorities, issues of great importance also for understanding and managing the presence of Muslims in European countries.
Giuseppe Samir Eid
Free web translation from the original in Italian
The published articles intend to provide the tools for a social inclusion of the migratory flow, shed light on human rights and the condition of life of Christians in the Islamic world from which the author come from. Knowledge of the other, of cultural and religious differences are primary ingredients to create peace in the hearts of men everywhere, a prerequisite for a peaceful coexistence and convinced citizenship in the territory.