Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Oasis Magazine published in Arabic and Urdu, with English, French and Italian, distributed in Europe, Africa and Asia.was started one year ago by Cardinal Angelo Scola, Patriarch of Venice. This six-monthly publication of the Oasis International Centre for Study and Research, (Centro Internazionale Studi e Ricerche CISRO) was promoted by the Cardinal and is the official publication of the Studium Generale Marcianum a pedagogical pole opened in Venice by the same Patriarch. The project is backed by a numerous group of representatives of the world of the Church, culture and journalism. Oasis is concerned first of all with Muslim countries and as its name indicates it aims to encounter both the Christian minorities and the Muslim majorities in these countries with an attitude of mutual respect and cordial opening.
In June last year there was the first encounter of the International Committee which has just met for the second time. The first issue of Oasis was published in January this year and the next will be published in September. Editor Roberto Fontolan told Fides about the publication: “Our magazine is a tiny seed in a large field which aims to reach a much larger one. In this first year of activity we have received suggestions and ideas from all over the world, from the United States to the Far East. Our labour is welcomed with interest by study centres, priests and embassies. Our magazine arouses both interest and curiosity. But our main aim - Fontolan said - is to connect Christian communities which are scattered. It is produced by Christians for Christians living in a Muslim world. Its main objective is to make distant experiences known and in contact. And more. To remind Christians living in difficult conditions they are not alone. The method used by Oasis is that of encounter with visits, contacts and travels, in Egypt and Syria for example”.
Oasis has four editions: Italian - Arabic, English- Arabic, French - Arabic, English - Urdu. Urdu besides being the official language of Pakistan, is spoken by Muslims in the sub-continent of India. We are also considering an edition in Indonesian. The first issue was printed in 4,000 copies and put on sale about 300 bookshops in Italy. We offer subscriptions for Italy, Europe and the United States. In Muslim countries in the Middle East, the far East and north Africa we send copies to Bishops, university teachers, diplomats and cultural centres who distribute them. (R.F.) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2005; Righe 31, Parole 458).
