2 - Reflections, Acceptance and integration, Articles

R017 - Arab School in Milan: Ten Reasons for a NO!

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16/10 – 2016

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In the globalised world, national schools have emerged outside national borders, mainly as a result of multinational companies for the children of their employees moving abroad for a temporary period. This is the reason why there are American or Italian schools in the main cities of the world, but not yet Egyptian schools, due to the lack of diffusion of Egyptian companies outside the national borders, at least not in Milan where there is, instead, a Libyan school for employees of Libyan companies present in the country.

I understand that all the students at the proposed school are from Egypt. I would like, however, to remind the “leaders” and our politicians that you cannot use indifferently the term Arabic and secular school, Arab tout-court, Egyptian or Islamic, thus demonstrating ignorance of the underlying cultural diversity.

I participate with the feelings of solidarity expressed by various parties, despite this, I explain the reasons for a NO to this school in Milan:

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2 - Reflections, Acceptance and integration, Political Islam

R018 - Muslims in Italy

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19/09 – 2007

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Special laws for Muslims?

The instability of the Middle East, accompanied by the widespread hatred against the West, have been the main ingredients of Islamic terrorism, a source of danger not only for the USA but for the whole West and for the governments of the Mediterranean area themselves. This culture, which prevails in most of the so-called Islamic cultural centres in Italy, has a considerable influence on immigrants, who tend to engage in centres that remind them of the environments they come from. The creation of these numerous centres is part of a single strategy which aims to establish itself as a representative of the Muslims in front of the State. Representation becomes a centre of power in order to induce lawmakers to introduce laws that take into account the particular customs and habits of Muslims. Do we not accept the re-introduction of discriminatory laws through the appearance of laws for religious freedom, carried out by some of our politicians in cahoots, perhaps without knowing it, with whom we want to stand as a representative of Muslims in Italy?

The majority of the Muslim people in Italy have emigrated not only for reasons of poverty but with the hope of a better future, to experience the freedom that the peoples of the West have managed to conquer at a high price.

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.

2 - Reflections, Acceptance and integration, Islamic cult centers and Mosques, Articles, Political Islam

R019 - Europe: the fear of Muslims is born from that our lost identity

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Corriere – Ideas & opinions – 2/12 – 2009

Dear Giulia, I’m giving you some insight to help you make an informed decision.

IDENTITY

THE MUSLIM IMMIGRANT FROM NORTH AFRICA

The fact that more illegal immigrants are Muslims from North Africa and have the characteristics listed above should not be overlooked, because they bring with them a cultural level and a set of traditions and habits that, in addition to being very different from ours, are a sort of glasses through which, at least in the first instance, they see and judge Western society. This difference in cultural level is already expressed in the impact with the forms of political organization of our states. In fact, all Arab countries with a Muslim majority are governed by systems that are not at all comparable to European democracies.

Therefore, when young Muslims arrive in Europe, contact with a mentality that is completely new to them leads them to suffer a strong psychological shock. This is a risky situation in which, if we do not prevent non-Europeans from being marginalized and left to their own devices, misunderstandings and frustrating attitudes can develop.

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2 - Reflections, Acceptance and integration, Articles

R020 - A proposal on the occasion of the month of Ramadan

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9 – 2008

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This year, 2008, the month of September coincides almost entirely with the most sacred time of year for Muslims, a month in which those who profess and practice that religion purify their feelings with fasting (from dawn to dusk) and a benevolent approach to the next.

For us Christians it could be a good time to get to know each other better.  Mutual knowledge with respect for the other without the usual prejudices would be the premise for a fruitful coexistence, a positive seed for the new generations to sprout. The Muslim family can invite its neighbor at the hour of the break of fasting (at dusk), to dine together enjoying dishes with traditional recipes, to be known and explain the traditions of their country. On the other hand, the neighbor can take the opportunity to make known the Italian culture to overcome prejudices sometimes not only religious but also of customs and traditions.

For a deeper mutual understanding, women have a role of primary importance: their contacts in everyday life can be the first step towards a real dialogue, concept, perhaps, too inflated but much needed.

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