R008 - THE POPE AND OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS

17 August 2013

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Following the uproar caused in some circles by the Pope’s good wishes at the end of the fast described by the Koran, I believe that globalization and Muslim immigration have created close contact
with other civilizations and have made us aware of the basic identity and values on which our civilization has developed but to which many of us have become accustomed; instead, I consider it an example of the wealth that can be generated by globalization.

A wealth that can be realized by offering the immigrant dignity and the opportunity for human development for a proactive integration, in contrast to exclusion. Inclusion, on the other hand, cannot mean moving a little to make room for the other, for any other. It me- ans building with reason a framework of human values, a framework of the common good and within this framework ma- king room for those who share it, even if they are of a different religion or culture. Without this, there is no real inclusion.

This task is eminently political and poli- ticians who wish to exempt themselves from it, limiting themselves to acceptan- ce without inclusion, do not play their role adequately. I hope that every religious and non religious communicator, Muslim or otherwise, will feel committed to being an untiring peacemaker and a strenuous defender of the dignity of a human being and his inalienable rights. Last but not least, I hope that the persons responsible for the communication of the Holy See will ensure that the good inten- tions exchanged at the highest level, whi- ch remain truly high without reaching the people, are published and circulated in the Islamic media, both radio and print.

R013 - Islamic Center defends the figure of Jesus

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TELEFAX MESSAGE of 19/10 – 2002

To: Dr. Paolo Mieli

From: Giuseppe Eid.

OBJECT: Islamic Center defends the figure of Jesus.

The weekly Rose el Youssef of 11 October 2002, p. 82, reports on a fatwa issued by the British Islamic Court in defense of the figure of Jesus the prophet for Muslims, considering blasphemous the recitation “the body of Jesus” by the American author McNeill.

The fatwa is similar to that issued against Salman Rushdie with the difference that they ask for the killing not to be carried out because he will be subject to referral to the Islamic courts if he passes through an Islamic country that will take charge of imprisoning and hanging him.

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R019 - Europe: the fear of Muslims is born from that our lost identity

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Corriere – Ideas & opinions – 2/12 – 2009

Dear Giulia, I’m giving you some insight to help you make an informed decision.

IDENTITY

THE MUSLIM IMMIGRANT FROM NORTH AFRICA

The fact that more illegal immigrants are Muslims from North Africa and have the characteristics listed above should not be overlooked, because they bring with them a cultural level and a set of traditions and habits that, in addition to being very different from ours, are a sort of glasses through which, at least in the first instance, they see and judge Western society. This difference in cultural level is already expressed in the impact with the forms of political organization of our states. In fact, all Arab countries with a Muslim majority are governed by systems that are not at all comparable to European democracies.

Therefore, when young Muslims arrive in Europe, contact with a mentality that is completely new to them leads them to suffer a strong psychological shock. This is a risky situation in which, if we do not prevent non-Europeans from being marginalized and left to their own devices, misunderstandings and frustrating attitudes can develop.

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R023 - A reader asks: Is it still the same God?

2014

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Dr. Giuseppe Samir Eid, born in Egypt to parents of Syro-Lebanese origin, has worked for multinational companies also operating in Islamic countries; co-founder of CADR, Ambrosian Centre for Documentation for Religions and author of numerous publications on the realities of Arab immigration in Italy and our parishioner, has submitted to Don Walter some details on the apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis “Evangelii gaudium” to which our parish priest gladly replied. We thank Dr. Eid for his challenge.

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