Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, Bridges Gaps

Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, Bridges Gaps

By Tamer Abul Einein, IOL Correspondent

BERN, May 18, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) - Representatives of the three
monotheist religions in Switzerland have established a council to promote
inter-faith tolerance and speak with one voice with the government and
political parties.

"The Council of Religions will work to boost confidence among the followers
of the three religions," Thomas Wipf, the president of the nascent body,
told IsalmOnine.net, Wednesday, May 17.

"Stereotypes and misconceptions can only be corrected through dialogue,"
added Wipf, also president the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches
(SEK).

Hisam Maizar, chairman of the newly formed Federation of Islamic
Organizations in Switzerland (FIDS) and one of the two Muslim
representatives in the council, agreed.

"Dialogue will help foster mutual religious respect and support for common
values," he told IOL.

The idea of the council, officially launched on Monday, May 15, dates back
to an inter-faiths meeting held three years in Berlin cathedral on the eve
of the Iraq war.

The six-member council will meet twice a year to examine burning issues with
the ultimate goal of ensuring religious and social harmony and coexistence.

Advice

Alfred Donath, president of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities, will
represent the Jews.

He also believes the new body would be a platform for effective inter-faith
dialogue.

Bishop Kurt Koch, the representative of the Roman Catholics, said the new
body would give advise to the parties concerned.

"Europeans in general follow up with concern the growth of Islam especially
that Muslims minority have religious obligations and demands, which the
authorities are not always aware of," he told IOL.

"This is there the council's role comes. It will examine such cases and give
advice to the parties concerned."

The council members will reflect on the roles of their religions in
achieving integration in different fields of cooperation.

Opinions expressed by the council will remain consultative and its
recommendations non obligatory.

Recognition

Muslim leaders said representation in the council is tantamount to an
official recognition of their faith in Switzerland.

"The Muslims representation in such a significant and unprecedented council
can be seen as a recognition of the minority," said Farhad Afshar, head of
the Coordination of Islamic Organizations in Switzerland (CIOS) and the
other Muslim member in the council.

"This is a very positive step that will help Muslims solve many of their
problems with respect to education, cemetery and mosque-building."

Maizar agreed.

"Muslims are part and parcel of the Swiss society. As citizens we have
rights and duties in building society."

Switzerland is home to some 380,000 Muslims, representing a sizable 4.7
percent of the country's some eight million people.

Islam is the second religion in the country after Christianity.

http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-05/18/article02.shtml




.

Relevant Pages

  • PRESENTATION OF MESSAGE FOR END OF RAMADAN
    ... Muslims for the end of the month of Ramadan, ... Council for Inter- religious Dialogue. ... will to the followers of the three of the world's major religions: ...
    (soc.culture.jewish)
  • Re: Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, Bridges Gaps
    ... "The Council of Religions will work to boost confidence among the ... Organizations in Switzerland and one of the two Muslim ... "This is a very positive step that will help Muslims solve many of their ...
    (soc.culture.pakistan)
  • MUSLIM TAKEOVER OF THE UNITED NATIONS
    ... Muslim States Press U.N. Council to Condemn Anti-Islam Actions, ... pass a resolution condemning the highly-publicized and now-defunct ... and acts of violence against Muslims occurring in many parts of the ... make the "defamation of religions" a human rights violation, ...
    (alt.religion.islam)
  • Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, Bridges Gaps
    ... Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, ... Organizations in Switzerland and one of the two Muslim ... "The Muslims representation in such a significant and unprecedented council ...
    (soc.culture.indonesia)
  • Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, Bridges Gaps
    ... Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, ... Organizations in Switzerland and one of the two Muslim ... "The Muslims representation in such a significant and unprecedented council ...
    (soc.culture.europe)