ISLAM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE

235 Veil: The problem of the veil fits into this pictu- re: For centuries entire Islamic societies have not bothered to "dress" the woman, and they were by no means less religious than they are now. Today some Islamic currents continue to cover the woman's body as an essential message of Islam. Until a few years ago great thinkers (Taha Hussein, Jamal El Din afghani, Mohamed Abdu... or the spiritual father of Pakistan, Muhammad ikbal) have tried to renew the theological thought of Islam; they were respected by the peoples; today for anyo- ne who follows their footsteps they will be sentenced to death. God has given men the ability to reason... (a diatribe between Ratzinger and the reactions provoked). Immigrants: In 2000 they were one million, today three millions. Why has it happened under a Ri- ght-wing government? When asked what they would like to do after graduation a good number of Egyp- tian university students answer that they wish to go to the West, attracted not only by wealth but by our living standards. Co- ming here they find themselves mocked if we propose to him the same laws from which they escaped and which caused their poverty. In fact, the Council is an un- suitable body and creates discrimination and a ghetto. Human rights : I would put the discussion on a wider and more general level: we are signatories of the 1948 Universal Declaration and are required to apply it without exceptions. It is right to avoid talking about "what Islam prescribes" but it is important to demand our business partners they implement the conventions signed. This is reciprocity in the application of human rights. It is a grave error that many spontaneously ask for reciprocity to build the churches. I told Colli before his speech, but it seemed un- familiar with these aspects. I hope that with his passion he can con- vince some people to ask for respect for human rights in the countries with which we do business: It would slow down the emigration of the few remaining Arab Christians. I hope that these hot comments will be fruitful. I reiterate that your passion mo- ved me but I did not expect you stating you are "afraid for the future". And how much fear Christian Arabs who live with unfavorable laws and social pressure have! It's true that there are forces that aim to destroy, weaken our civilization and Islam is one of them. The enemy is at home, it must be found. Is there any authoritative voice that can undertake this battle? My suggestion is to focus not on Islam as a religion, but on the application of human rights in Italy and in the coun- tries that have relations with us. We must help women and men in Arab countries who are fighting for this. We will then sol- ve our internal issues. Thank you for your attention and courage and congratulations to those who organi- zed the evening.