Brussels, 15/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The message delivered to Europeans by the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Bader Hassoun, during a solemn session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday 15 January, was one of peace and a call for dialogue. The event was one on a programme of visits by eminent figures organised by the EP within the framework of the European Year 2008 on intercultural dialogue.
Rejecting the idea of a shock of civilisations, “as there is only one civilisation, that of mankind”, the Grand Mufti said that culture can nonetheless take different forms, which leads to misunderstandings between men who can only see one aspect. This incomprehension could be overcome if men considered they were brothers, members of one large family, he said. He called on each and everyone, whatever their religion or creed, to extend the hand of friendship to his neighbour and to accept the neighbour's point of view without imposing his own upon him, recalling that religion - whether Christianity, Judaism or Islamism - has given culture its moral values, by placing the supreme being, holiness and human dignity at the centre of everything. There cannot be religious conflicts but, if there is conflict, it is due to “ignorance, terrorism and backwardness”, he drove home, rejecting the idea of a holy war as “wars are never holy. It is peace that is holy”. In Dr Hassoun's view, children must be taught in mosques, schools and temples that “it is the human being that is truly holy”. According to this reasoning, he condemned suicide attacks as they cause loss of life. “If, tomorrow, the Ka'ba is destroyed, we can rebuild it. But no-one can give back life to another human being”. Speaking of Europe as the “miracle of the 20th century”, as it has managed to unite despite two world wars and to destroy the Berlin Wall without bloodshed, the Grand Mufti calls on Europeans to pursue dialogue with the East and to “bring all its influence to bear” to resolve the problem of the Middle East without waiting for the United States to take a stance first as, he stressed, by its geographical position, Europe will be the first affected if conflict continues in Iraq, Israel and Iran. “I call on you to stretch out your hand (…) Let us defend the cause of peace, law and faith together”, the Grand Mufti concluded, inviting European officials to organise a major conference on cultures in the current capital of Arab culture, Damascus, “to show that the world is one and that we are reaching out to the whole world”.
The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, also called for “cultures and religions to live peacefully side by side, not only in Europe but also with the other peoples and religions of the world”, and with the Middle East in particular. “This is both possible and essential”, he stressed. In his view, it is necessary to create an intellectual and cultural bridge to link the two sides of the Mediterranean for mutual enrichment. Tolerance is at the centre of intercultural dialogue, he continued in line with Dr Hassoun's remarks, saying it is necessary to defend one's own positions but also to listen respectfully to the others. Mr Pöttering trusts that today's dialogue with the Grand Mufti of Syria will give rise to more dialogue in 2008 as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, but also afterwards.
Intercultural dialogue should be extended to those without religion, says Sophia in't Veld
The method chosen by the conference of presidents of the political groups to establish the list of persons who will take the floor at the European Parliament as part of the European Year on Intercultural Dialogue was challenged by a number of representatives on Monday afternoon. This is not an “intercultural dialogue”, exclaimed Sophia in't veld (ALDE) but rather an “inter-religious monologue”. She, like others, and notably Italian Green member Monica Frassoni, hope the list will be extended to those without a religion also. Ms in't Veld suggests they should invite Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur for the United Nations on freedom of religion and belief, to attend. British Liberal member Sarah Ludford considers it is also necessary to invite a European representative of Islam. (I.L./L.G.)