Re: Swiss Religions Council Promotes Tolerance, Bridges Gaps

Only good secular government like the swiss can promote Islam. Islamic
government in Arab world, bury Islam






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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






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