Ambassador
Hassouna joined twenty-six other diplomats, government
officials, scholars and religious leaders for three days
of intensive discussion to enhance mutual understanding
between the world communities, and build bridges of better
understanding among them. The dialogue was held in a historically
tolerant community, in the ancient city of Fez, Morocco.
The
dialogue was conducted in an open exchange of ideas
format, free of formal papers or speeches in order to
maximize the intended goals of building trust and friendship.
The exchange focused on the following themes:
Global partnership; Common approaches to inter-cultural
conflict; Steps to build trust between the Muslim world
and the west; and Practical steps to promote partnership
and understanding.
Below
are contributions of Amb. Hassouna to the Fez seminar:
-A starting point for mutual dialogue is to realize
that we live in a global village, where threats to one
region affect the whole world. No single country, however
powerful and resourceful, can unilaterally deal with
today's challenges. Understanding the other is critically
important.
-Common
approaches to desired solutions are predicated on one
common world civilization, through different cultures.
Diversity of culture is enriching; an acknowledgement
of different backgrounds, identities, religious heritage;
all this has to be respected.
-A
good part of the western culture regards the Muslim
world as some kind of danger, and, by the same token,
many in the Islamic world see the west as the enemy.
Feelings of humiliation among the Muslim World, as a
consequence to western injustices, asymmetries of power
and perception of insensitivity and disrespect, need
to be addressed through acts of courage and statesmanship.
-To
strengthen inter-cultural dialogue, Muslims are encouraged
to invite members of the Christian and Jewish faiths
to share their religious celebrations; e.g. breaking
the fast during Ramadan.
The
joint discussion adopted several concluding recommendations,
some of which Amb. Hassouna contributed directly to
their formulation. The adopted conclusions are:
-The
Muslim experience of tolerance and acceptance in Al
Andalus (Spain) is a powerful reminder of the coexistence
between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
-The
Khalifa in Islam played a pivotal role at maintaining
bridges of trust and integration of all communities;
he held monthly meetings between Muslim and Christian
theologians which were attended by his entire government.
-As
the world around us is changing towards a global village
of seamless humanity, we must change our philosophy
accordingly.
-Recognition
of lack of education of the other traditions produce
fertile grounds for extremists.
-Approaches
to dialogue should be inclusive and discard singling
out any group.
-Religious
extremism in its Christian form is a wide-spread global
phenomenon. The western democracies should begin to
criticize those examples and build public trust that
change is possible.
-We
must have the courage to say many things are wrong with
the existing global system: individualism, consumerism,
selfishness, greed, etc.
-Egypt
has designated the Coptic Church celebration of Christmas
a national holiday. In contrast, the western countries
have a responsibility towards their Muslim population
and to facilitate their integration.
-Religion
is an important element for change which must be recognized
by the politicians and elected leaders.
|
