Brussels, 11/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - More than 400 Muslim organisations signed a Charter of European Muslims in Brussels on Thursday 10 January 2008, drawn up on the initiative of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FOIE). FOIE is part of the pan-European movement of the conservative Muslim Brotherhood. It has drawn up an Islamic code of good practice for Muslims, elaborating on the role of Islam in society and its contribution to Europe (see EUROPE 9575).
FOIE President Chakib Benmakhlouf said he was sure the charter would help establish dialogue among Muslims themselves and also between Muslims and non-Muslims. The charter is the fruit of long talks and study by the 400 Muslim bodies that are members of FOIE. Benmakhlouf said the text was very important for the future of Islam in Europe.
MEPs Mario Mauro (EPP-ED, Italy), Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Sarah Ludford (ALDE, United Kingdom), attended the signing of the charter. On behalf of the European Parliament, Mario Mauro said recognition of the text would help boost mutual respect. He said that encouraging dialogue between different cultures was a priority for the EP, pointing out that the charter had been signed in the European Year of Inter-Cultural Dialogue. He also affirmed the importance of freedom of speech. Sarah Ludford praised diversity in Europe, recognising, however, that the experience was not always easy and that integration was a complex issue.
Vincent Legrand, responsible for inter-religious dialogue at the Commission of Episcopates of the European Union (COMECE, a Catholic organisation), said that Islam and Christianity shared many values - justice, freedom, equality and fraternity. He mentioned similarities in the idea of the family in the two religions and stressed that the charter would make it possible to connect up Europe with the Muslim world.
A few hours ahead of the signing of the charter, a European Commission spokesperson said that the Commission makes an effort to liaise with all religious communities in Europe. The spokesperson said the Commission demonstrated a very deep desire to hold dialogue.
The question remains, however, of the representative nature of the Charter of European Muslims. FOIE is far from representing all Muslims in the European Union. Vincent Legrand explained that FOIE was one of a series of Muslim movements. He said FOIE tried to combine tradition and modernity.
While recognising that FOIE does not represent the majority of Muslims, Chabik Benmakhlouf pointed out that it was open to all, already having some 400 member organisations from 30 countries and was ready to accept new organisations. The door is still open, he added.
But the initiative also aims to give FOIE greater visibility. Karim Chemlal of the 'Ligue des musulmans de Belgique', which is a member of FOIE, explained that their ultimate aim was not to be a lobby group but to provide a framework to lead to mutual recognition of Muslims and non-Muslims.(L.B.S.)