Jusoor's ‘interfaith dialogue’ bridges spiritual gaps in Geneva

Jusoor International Center for Media and Development on June 22 organized its third international seminar at the University of Geneva, one of the most prominent educational institutions and major centers to boost awareness and social culture in Switzerland.

The seminar, entitled “The Importance of Interfaith Dialogue in Promoting Global Peace and Security”, came as part of the ongoing 50th regular session of the Human Rights Council. It was held in cooperation with the Coordination of Islamic Organizations of Switzerland (KIOS), a flagship of the international organizations concerned with serving intellectual and humanitarian causes and realizing integration between all religions.

The seminar was held as part of Jusoor’s activities and events that aim to spread the culture of dialogue and tolerance in human societies, and deepen the dialogue between religions as a means to boost global security and peace.

It represented an approach followed by Jusoor since its founding, and a part of its international contributions that come from its very values and visions, as it asserted the values of integration and partnership, which are the core principles of Jusoor International.

The seminar included several international experts in fields dealing with coexistence, peace and dialogue between religions, as well as many directors and representatives of European organizations concerned with the prevalence of the culture of dialogue and community integration.

Researcher Boumediene Ben Yahya led the seminar, in which he stressed the importance of the seminar to create a positive environment for interfaith dialogue, enhancing cultural and intellectual movement within societies, and preserving this pattern among different European societies accustomed to diversity and plurality.

Ben Yahya urged all participants to continue to abide by a tolerant approach with representatives of all existing religions. The veteran researcher asserted the importance of the seminar held in cooperation with Jusoor International, stating that the latter has contributed since its founding to intellectual discussions meant to draw international attention in order to realize civilian and humanitarian societies that meet the goals of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda.

KIOS member Abdul Jaleel Al Zaheri valued the efforts exerted at such seminars to protect interfaith dialogue.

He added that despite the challenges meeting experts, academics, and religious activists’ goodwill intentions, the voice of peace and security will eventually prevail over depraved politics and heinous extremism.

The President of Jusoor International and veteran journalist, Mohammed Al Hammadi, highlighted the regional and international role played by Jusoor, especially in the city of Geneva, where Jusoor’s headquarters is located. He addressed the initiatives orchestrated by Jusoor in several European countries, explaining that this is where the name “Jusoor” (bridges) comes from, as it “bridges” the gaps between different entities and individuals.

Hammadi stressed the importance of the discussions and dialogues steadily organized by Jusoor International, such as the seminar entitled “The Importance of Interfaith Dialogue in Promoting Global Peace and Security”. He praised the role played by NGOs to maintain humanitarian convergence, dialogue between religions, and acceptance of others.

He said that terrorism and religious extremism are among the most complicated issues facing the world today, a major obstacle to achieving sustainable humanitarian development, and a key reason behind multiple international and regional conflicts.

“This seminar is part of ongoing efforts to preserve international security and peace,” he added.

Hammadi was keen to conclude his speech by addressing the vital role played by the media to combat extremist ideas and realizing the noble goals of religions’ dialogue. He added that there is a massive responsibility on the shoulders of the media, which represents the main tool to set the public opinion and create an impartial societal discussion.

Following Hammadi’s speech, the seminar began to view the agenda of its participants, as the latter were keen to address the interfaith dialogue from different angles. The participants agreed on how these angles could be of huge value if liberated from political agendas and instead led by logic.

Another participant on the panel, Francois Dermange, ethics professor at Geneva University, shed light on what he called the four main pillars to have a successful interfaith dialogue, namely - according to his opinion - otherness, symmetry, sincerity, and respect for others’ views.

He said that a method should be created to produce a dialogue with both practical and ethical dimensions. The professor pointed out the process made by experts between the Vatican and Al-Azhar that succeeded to realize a practical dialogue between Christianity and Islam.

The President of the Foundation of Islam in France (FIF), Ghaleb Bencheikh, said a legal framework must be set for a comprehensive dialogue among all religions that includes everyone. Bencheikh noted that a legal framework will protect any dialogue from factors that can ruin it and hinder its success.

On the other hand, former Tunisian Minister of Education Hatem ben Salem said that the world is facing a crucial moment that could end up with either its destruction or a flourishing peace. He noted that politicians should be aware of the previous fact in order to promote tolerance in a world of several religions and a single civilization.

The Vice-President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), Moshe Lewin, revealed that the state of Israel represents an obstacle for a fruitful religious dialogue. He said that religious institutions must bear the responsibility and avoid ambivalent speeches.

Lewin added that fragile and distorted ideas cannot withstand and continue, and that they refrain from dialogue and communication with the other because of their weakness, fragility and inability to withstand the requirements of dialogue and the exchange of ideas, opinions and cultures with various societal and human components.

Father Christian Delorme, a priest of the diocese of Lyon, criticized those who use religion as a pretext to wage wars, as the first should always be a source of peace. He added that a revolution is needed in the hearts and souls of people to reach an interfaith dialogue.

In her speech, Laurence Lequini, a researcher of sociology at the University of Paris, stressed the need to activate the role of women, as they are the most important and most prominent element in enhancing the effectiveness of a humanitarian dialogue, whether at the level of family or society.

Lequini asserted that women’s causes, regardless of their religious or intellectual affiliation, play a key role in religious dialogue.

The Imam of Ghazali Mosque in Marseille, Abu Baker Ben Diop, said that dialogue between religions must incorporate a method to battle terrorism, especially among the youth. He added that strategies must be orchestrated to shield societies from extremism that threatens global peace.

For his part, KIOS President Farhad Ashraf said that religions, unlike politics, are closer to the hearts and minds of individuals, which is something that should be considered by religious leaders when having a religious discussion, as this discussion can turn into a cornerstone of world peace.

Hammadi was keen to conclude the seminar by thanking all the participants and stating that instead of void arguments about who would go to hell or heaven, an understanding could be reached to transform our world into a haven of tranquility