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Jewish Muslim Dialogue and Co-operation
Project Summary
| Mapping Reports of Jewish Muslim Dialogue
| EUROPEAN CONFERNCE ON JEWISH MUSLIM DIALOGUE
| European
Platform for Jewish Muslim Co-operation
| Platform Launch
| Local Initiatives
| Declaration of Support for Jewish Muslim Co-operation
| Submit Project Details
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| Press
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| Contacts European Conference on Jewish-Muslim DialogueWhat is the role of the Middle East conflict in Jewish-Muslim dialogue? Is the media a positive force for change in inter-religious relations? How can local communities be successfully engaged in dialogue?These were a number of the questions tackled by representatives of Jewish and Muslim organisations at the European Conference on Jewish-Muslim Dialogue held in Brussels from 15 - 17 April 2007.
l-r: Ronny Naftaniel, Samira Bouchibti, Imam Abduljalil Sajid, Rabbi Michel Serfaty and Vladimir Sucha A key outcome of the Conference was a Declaration of Support for Jewish Muslim Co-operation which agreed to establish a European Platform for Jewish Muslim Co-operation to both encourage and to raise the profile of local, national and Europe-wide dialogue and co-operation initiatives. In providing a forum for the sharing of experiences, ideas and good practices, the Conference also witnessed the initiation of new partnerships between organisations and the development of project ideas in the arts, media coverage of Jewish and Muslim issues, religious diversity training, grassroots involvement, academic co-operation and joint lobbying efforts. Awards for best practice in Jewish-Muslim co-operative initiatives were also proposed. The Conference also saw the release of Mapping Reports compiling information on partnerships, initiatives and best practice in the field of Jewish-Muslim dialogue in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK and France.
Organised by CEJI with guidance from a Jewish-Muslim Steering Group, the European Conference on Jewish-Muslim Dialogue was conceived with a view to promoting dialogue, exchange of best practice, co-operation and partnership between Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe. It welcomed seventy Jews and Muslims from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK and France who are involved in or interested in dialogue at a community level. Organisations represented included the European Muslim Network, the International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) and Fraternité musulmane contre l'antisémitisme. Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, Chairman of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony UK and the National Association of British Pakistanis and Conference Steering Group member stated of the initiative: ‘The European Conference comes at a crucial time in Jewish-Muslim relations. In bringing together people working to increase religious harmony and tolerance within their own communities, it provides a much-needed focus on their achievements and is an important step towards tackling animosity and misunderstanding between Jews and Muslims.’ As CEJI Director Robin Sclafani explained, Jewish-Muslim dialogue initiatives are valuable not only for creating respect and understanding between communities but also as ‘a source of inspiration for intercultural relations as a whole and a demonstration of solidarity in the fight against all forms of racism’. Participants said of the initiative:
Guests also enjoyed a performance by Anwar Abudragh and Anja Naucler (near left), who use cello, voice, luth and Arab violin to creating a musical soundscape which, while overcoming traditional cultural boundaries, retains a strong basis in Arab culture. They were joined by percussionist Sattar Al-Saadi. Conference Documents
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