ISLAM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE

214 CHRISTIANS UNDER PRESSURE FAX 2011 TO: direttore@tempi.it FROM: Giuseppe Eid SUBJECT: Christians Under Pressure Dear Dr. Amicone: This is the draft of a text that could, once polished and modified, be the subject of a petition to the competent authority; is it feasible to change public and governing opinion? Thank you. "I have some observations to make on the "defense of Christians" by the West: it is a misleading and counterproductive theme that makes it seem as if indigenous Christians are like foreign citizens in their own country; this is not right. Regarding Christians under attack in the Islamic wor- ld: the problem is political and should be addressed as such. I have read a number of proposals regar- ding the substantial EU funding, and I pro- pose to our leaders to have the courage to make the funding conditional on the im- plementation of greater civil and religious freedoms and security in the recipient country; to promote a society that has a deep sense of trust in religious and human values, characterized by mutual respect for all its members with equal rights and duties, where religious affiliation is not a discriminating factor among its citizens. I agree with the idea that the West is be- ginning to grant credits under certain con- ditions that range from cultural to techno- logical exchanges, as well as subordinate international funding and protocols being stipulated to certain cultural criteria and reciprocity. We know that the sources of pressure on Christians in Arab countries are culture, education, media propaganda, sermons and, last but not least, textbooks in scho- ols. In my opinion, Italy and the Europe- an Union should extend their actions to cultural areas: to textbooks in schools that are devoid of offensive references to non-Muslims. Even if there are verses ex- trapolated from the Koran, other verses could be selected in their place. Our lea- ders should make this very clear to their partners in the countries applying for fun- ding. This is (our) request." Best regards, Milan City Council for a business combined with ethical and cultural projects Dear Engineer Councilor: Last night's tour of the horizon at Rotary, of the mission of the Department you led, gave us an "idea" of the seriousness of your commitments, those for which it was clear you felt personally responsible: you made them your own. Your sensitivi- ty to multiculturalism, understood as re- spect for people and identities while still embracing the ethical values of the coun- try of adoption, requires common action regardless of the political factions. I hope that you will be able to continue with the objectives and projects that are still under way in the next parliamentary term. I believe that the comparative Jewi-