EUROPE/SPAIN - “The steel thread of religion may appear fragile but it is still a strong bond of solidarity and unity”: impressions of Fr Justo Lacunza-Balda at 2nd international meeting of Rabbis and Imams held in Seville

Wednesday, 5 April 2006

Seville (Fides Service) - The 2nd International Meeting of Imams and Rabbis for Peace was held from 19 to 22 March in Seville (see Fides 16/3/2006). The meeting, organised by the Hommes du Parole Foundation, had as its main theme the importance of education and knowledge for removing barriers of prejudice, fear and insecurity in relations between Muslim and Jewish religious leaders. Participants included 53 Jewish leaders, 62 Muslim leaders and 71 experts. Fr Justo Lacunza-Balda, rector of the Pontifical Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies in Rome was asked to moderate the first session of debate. It was the first time that a representative of a Pontifical Institute of the Holy See was asked to lead discussion between Imams and Rabbis representing communities, nations and institutions of the worlds of Islam and Judaism. We asked Fr. Lacunza to share with us his impressions of the debate.
“I remember in particular - says Fr. Lacunza - that many Jewish and Muslim religious leaders at the meeting talking with me privately voiced amazement to see leaders of the religions of the Book together, greeting each other, engaging in discussion, conversing informally,eating at the same table. At that meeting in Seville many Jewish and Muslim religious leaders looked each other in the eyes, discussed their respective histories, identified reciprocal grief, experienced regret for conflicts, voiced present suffering and expressed a firm desire to build a better future with the tools of speech, listening and reconciliation.
It is however mistaken to think of two blocks compact and sympathetic, Jewish leaders on the one hand Muslim leaders on the other. Nothing is further from the reality which I saw at the Meeting in Seville, where there was also heated discussion and disputing among participants. From the first day it was clear that the choice between political orientation and a religious vision of Islam was at the centre of discussion among Muslim participants. The question of Palestine came to the fore when Palestinian participants said the Israel-Palestinian conflict was at the source of relations between Jews and Muslims. Among the Jewish participants not all positions were harmonious or had the same orientation. The elections which brought Hamas to government and imminent elections in Israel had a direct influence on the atmosphere at the meeting.
The organisers, recognising the danger of counter-positions, decided not to allow the debate be monopolised by internal matters, either Muslim or Jewish. So ample space was given to general sessions for which participants were asked to suggest themes for discussion and debate. This path led the participants to meet in work groups where Jews and Muslims had a chance to freely engage in discussion without any restriction.
Three aspects appeared to me important for the future of Jewish Muslim relations. Without a doubt religion is still a steel thread which appears fragile but is actually a strong bond of solidarity and unity. The first aspect was the question of teaching and preaching. The necessity and importance of religious education with full respect for the diversities of the different faith traditions was emphasised. This might appear obvious but it is not seeing the mistaken interpretations of sacred texts and calls to fight or eliminate the enemy. There was a clear call for religious education which promotes peaceful co-existence. The second aspect was a commitment to respect the dignity of every human person, promote respect for human rights and work for justice and peace. This will demand great effort and great confidence and will certainly involve the world’s religious leaders and not only Jews and Muslims ever more deeply. The third aspect was a call to governments and institutions to take religions seriously, avoid indifference and respect every religious tradition.
It can be rightly said that the Meeting in Seville was an event which fostered a meeting of Jewish and Muslim leaders from all over the world. Its message was clear. Our forces cannot be scattered if we are to face the challenges of today. The traditional songs which Jewish and Muslim participants sang together in the evenings were the echo of the possibility of living together in harmony despite the differences. The presence of a few Christians invited as observers and moderators was deeply appreciated. It was thanks to the intervention of a Catholic priest that peace and reconciliation was made between two participants by convincing one of them to return to the room and making space for his intervention. The rest is up to God, the Light who guides the destiny of humanity and illuminates the path of those who invoke his Name”. (R.F.) (Agenzia Fides 5/4/2006 - Righe 55, parole 804)


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