ISLAM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE

254 MILAN AND ISLAM FAX 06/ 2000 To: Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi From: G. Samir Eid Object: Milan and Islam I see your scheduled presence at the con- ference Milan and Islam at the "Stelline". In this regard, I would like to offer some ideas on the issues between us and Islam • Religious faith It is praiseworthy that the Islamic centers in Milan can increase the religious faith of the faithful, but it is criticizable when the center intends to apply to our society, customs, traditions and dictates of foreign origin in the name of Islam. The question then ari- ses: of which Islam? The one practiced in Cairo, Beirut, Tunis, or Mecca, Karachi or the desert of the seventh century? • Human rights What rights will be discussed? In my opi- nion, dealing with the truth is an unde- niable value. It would be useful for all of us, Christians and Muslims, to take this opportunity to ask for the content to be defined, and to hi- ghlight the substantial differences that exist between Italian law and that of the coun- tries of Islam. It is well known that Sha- ria law applied in interpersonal relations discriminates against non-Muslims, and in the case of mixed marriages, against Chri- stian women and their offspring. In order to prevent such problems in the city of Milan, it is advisable to stipulate bi-lateral agreements that recognize only as the competent court, the law of the State where the marriage is celebrated. I remain at your disposal for any clarifica- tion and extend my best regards. IF ISLAM IS AT SCHOOL Date: 9 November 1998 To: Dr. Ernesto Galli Della Loggia FROM : G. Eid Number of pages: 1 Subject: If Islam is at school - Monday, 31 August 1998 The approaching of the celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved by the United Nations on December 10, 1948 allows me to expose some thoughts. The first one is that the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights issued by the Islamic Council of Europe at the head- quarters of UNESCO September 11, 1981 19 is in stark contrast to that of the U.N. ... This explains some behaviours and pro- clamations by Islamic centres established in Europe. It is well known that Islamic law (Sharia) includes different customs and traditions from those of the Western world and it mi- ght seem normal that Islamic leaders want to import into Europe. However, the laws