Actel – 31/01 – 2011
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The mobility of people has been crossing the planet irreversibly for some decades now, and has imposed the theme of intercultural relations as one of the most acute of the present.
DIALOGUE TO LIVE TOGETHER
In order to live together with a fruitful dialogue it is necessary to know one another, and knowledge begins with truth, respect for others, and to overcome prejudices. Rediscovering one’s identity, a term that is sometimes used inappropriately, but it is a fundamental word to make oneself known, never to prevail, one must walk on the bridge and take it across the continents; the immigrant is above all a man with the dignity that comes with it, rights and duties. This is the starting point of the short conversation, a small contribution to the understanding of the Arab world, to its culture and to peace in the Middle East.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Recent events have highlighted behaviours originating from Arab immigration, not referable to other immigrants, incomprehensible behaviours that have as their origin the social structure of Arab countries. In fact, the Arab accustomed to living in a mono-cultural environment, global emigration confronts him with diversified environments, the apparent absence of God frightens him, he is pushed to lock himself up and Muslims to turn, economic crisis helping, towards the Islamic centers that have proliferated with the financing of Arab countries; Islam thus becomes for many young immigrants the only clear reference point both on a cultural and religious level. The Muslim religion, because of the frustration caused by the impact with a new type of mentality, represents an easy opportunity for identification and strong cohesion. Despite national borders, the concept of the umma (community of Muslims) predominates in Muslim philosophy “a watchword launched by some authoritative voice at the right time can compact and lead back to close unity” (Card. Martini). Italy lacks a policy of acculturation that accompanies the immigrant in his integration into society; accepting new citizens by predisposing an adequate integration policy.
HUMAN RIGHTS, EMIGRATION OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS:
To understand the differences in attitude of Muslim immigrants Joseph Samir Eid highlights the Religious Factor. Religious law conditions the life of the country, families, people, combined with social pressure, discriminates against non-Muslims. By way of example, non-Muslims are not allowed to marry a Muslim woman, to inherit from a Muslim, to practice certain trades, to access the highest state offices; children are not allowed to choose their religion, their identity card shows the religion they belong to from birth; they are automatically Muslim if a parent is or becomes one. The spouse of the parent who converts to the Islamic religion loses custody of his or her children. A situation that creates prejudices and legal and social discrimination against native Christians and non-Muslims, causes their emigration to more hospitable countries, an exodus of considerable proportions leading to the extinction of some components that have contributed to the wealth and splendour of Arab civilization. Giuseppe Samir Eid emphasizes the deafening silence in which the Eastern Churches began.
Also with regard to the Human Rights aspect, religious law conditions the life of the country, of families, of people, it is discriminatory with regard to family, woman, religious freedom, inheritances and woman in general who is discriminated against not having the same rights as man.
EUROPE AND THE ARAB WORLD
The vast majority of Arabs live in extreme poverty, as demographic development is not accompanied by adequate economic growth. It is true that Europe has an interest in a stable O.M., but such an objective is possible by promoting technological development, guaranteeing the flow of oil, curbing emigration, creating a climate of trust between populations and achieving the security of agreed and recognised borders.
The Middle East is in turmoil; the solutions are in order: Peace, Prosperity and Democracy. And what can we do? Contribute to the role of Service Communities in the broadest sense in the rapprochement of civilizations (Parishes, cultural centres, NGOs, etc.) with service actions such as literacy, water, prohibition of female genital mutilation, with the aim of promoting in the Islamic world the cultural development of women, human rights, combating economic underdevelopment and religious fanaticism. It is crucial to radiate our values through the testimony of life, solidarity and acceptance. In this itinerary, women take a leading role, to reflect on a common ethical charter to change mutual prejudices. We must ensure that Muslims are able to grasp the distinction between religion and society, faith and civilization, political Islam and Muslim faith. It is important to act as a transmission chain to influence decision-making forces through witness, education, respect for human dignity leading to peace. Eid proposes as a model to adopt the role of Muslims in Europe to build bridges for mutual respect between Muslims, Christians and Jews, without forgetting to divulge to them the concepts on which Christianity is based.
At the political level it is important that the West, in technological or market exchanges, knows how to unite or subordinate even cultural exchanges with criteria of reciprocity, especially for simple people… to the effective promotion in the country of the values of civil and religious freedom for all without any discrimination and that, in this regard, there is intense monitoring. “To ask the Arab world to work on education, on the media, on textbooks in schools and even to invite to this line of education and peace, the imams who have in their hands the formidable instrument of sermons in mosques, where it would be appropriate to proclaim also the verses of the Koran that underline God’s will towards religious plurality and the commitment to compete for good in God’s mercy.” It just so happens that the greatest violence happens on Friday on the way out of the mosques. The best response to extremism is to create a united international front based on universal standards of freedom of belief and religion.
VIRGIN MARY
The devotion of Muslims to the Virgin Mary is widespread among Muslims; in the spirit of a spiritual dialogue between two great religions of the Arab world, the Lebanese parliament has established March 25th as a national holiday, the day on which the Catholic Church commemorates the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary. Unlike those who want to reduce Islam to a political system instead of considering religion as the relationship of the person with God, Joseph Eid is convinced that Islam, understood according to its spiritual tradition, can offer precious resources to be spent and shared to build, together with Christianity and Judaism, the global culture of Peace and Fraternity. It was Cardinal Martini himself who encouraged this “dialogue” between different cultures and religions between two people who have something to say to each other.
P.S. For further information on the Amazon Kindle Store, the eBook by Giuseppe Samir Eid, published by Carabà Edizioni, is available at the promotional price of EUR 1.01 at http://www.amazon.it/dp/B007NMJ31K/
]: eBook between history and current events, which aims to question the responsibility of believers and raise awareness among young people. “The book is a valuable tool of knowledge and action for all those who want to find the common sources, despite the diversity of the routes of the historical ‘rivers'”. Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi.
Free web translation from the original in Italian
The published articles intend to provide the tools for a social inclusion of the migratory flow, shed light on human rights and the condition of life of Christians in the Islamic world from which the author come from. Knowledge of the other, of cultural and religious differences are primary ingredients to create peace in the hearts of men everywhere, a prerequisite for a peaceful coexistence and convinced citizenship in the territory.
Giuseppe Samir Eid