Brussels debate focused on inter-religious dialogue

The role of active citizenship in bringing together people of different faiths was discussed on Wednesday as part of the third 'Brussels Debate' organised under the banner of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The debate "New horizons: active citizenship to bridge inter-religious divides" was prepared by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Policy Centre (EPC), an independent, non-profit, Brussels based think-tank.

Shada Islam, journalist and Senior Programme Executive at the EPC, introduced the debate saying that as a consequence of globalisation, immigration and enlargement, the European Union now encompasses different cultures and religious beliefs, which can be a unifying but also a dividing aspect, as some recent episodes have shown.

Ján Figel', EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth said that, as religion is a part of life and education for many European citizens, inter-religious dialogue must be encouraged as a horizontal, concrete and constant aspect of EU actions and policies. He also highlighted that the European Commission is becoming more and more engaged in discussions between different religious communities as it can contribute to various topics and is now very active in avoiding the raise of fanaticisms. He finally underlined that education and activities promoting active citizenship play a fundamental role in building a real European multi-cultural and multi-faith society.

Mutual knowledge and dialogue are necessary but must be accompanied by actions and concrete engagements, stressed Imam Dr. Abduljalil Sajid, chairman of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony UK. He added that religious communities must cooperate to fight against discrimination and engage in a dialogue based on honest conversation and peaceful confrontation. Imam Sajid finally said that every person in Europe – irrespective of faith – has to contribute towards building a better and inter-cultural society and that the EU as a whole has to promote greater inclusion and equal opportunities.

According to Nadine Iarchy, European Vice-chair of the International Council of Jewish Women, the inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue is based on the concepts of trust and respect. She stated that there is still a long way to go before people genuinely respect each other. Inter-religious dialogue must not be promoted only at a high and political level – she believes in the need and the importance of involving children, as they will live in a more and more multi-cultural and multi-faith society.

The debate was closed by Mario Mauro, Vice-president of the European Parliament, who said that the aim of the dialogue is not only to talk and understand each other, but that it should also lead to cooperation, cohabitation, tolerance and peace. He stressed the need for education policies to support inter-cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, respect, knowledge of history and of different religions.

The Brussels debates are important milestones in the programme of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The first two covered migration and inter-cultural aspects in culture; the next one, on the 4^th of June, will deal with inter-cultural relations at the workplace.