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Articles and news about interreligious dialogue Holy See on Culture of Peace - "Promote the Formation of Persons Dedicated to Dialogue" Catholics, Muslims note need for Religious Freedom -Stress Importance of Working Together in Society Kenya: piste per migliorare le relazioni tra cristiani e musulmani - L'Arcivescovo Lele: “Dovremmo testimoniare l'amore senza distinzioni di Dio” Events and interreligious meetings in Libya · 1-5 February,1976: First Islamic – Christian Congress in Libya presided by the Leader of the al Fatah Revolution, Col Muammar Ghaddafi. · 10th March, 1997: Diplomatic Relations established between the Great Socialist Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the Holy See (Vatican State).
30th December 2002 : Islamic-Christian Symposium The Symposium was organized by the Daawa Islamiya Newspaper in the occasion of the feast of Christmas recalling the birth of Jesus. Fr Timotheus Adli Bishara, a priest from Coptic Orthodox Church gave out his reflection about the prophet Jesus in the Koran on behalf of the Christian delegation. A professor from the Islamic Call Society University gave his speech on behalf of the Islamic side. After the speeches there was time for questions and clarifications. A number of young students who are studying in the Faculty and a group of Christians from our communities were invited to attend the symposium.
30 Dicembre 2002:Simposio Islamico-CristianoIl Simposio e' stato organizzato dal Daawa Islamiya Newspaper in occasione della festa di Natale che ricorda la nascita di Gesu'. Padre Timotheus Adli Bishara, un prete della Chiesa Copta Ortodossa ha esposto la sua riflessione sul Profeta Gesu' nel Corano per conto della delegazione Cristiana. Un Professore della Islamic Call Society University ha fatto il suo discorso per conto della parte Islamica. Dopo i discorsi vi e' stato tempo per le domande e le chiarificazioni. Un gruppo di giovani studenti che frequentano questa facolta' ed un gruppo di cristiani della nostra comunita' sono stati invitati a partecipare al Simposio. back to index
20 th – 23 rd September 2003: 14 th Session of the International Council of the Islamic Call Societies The conference was held with the participation of representatives from 130 Christian and Islamic organizations among who were our Catholic Bishop, Mons Martinelli, and other leaders from the other Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and the Anglican Churches. This international four day conference dealt with the Islamic concept of getting to know each other, "li ta'arafu " It was clearly evident that constructive dialogue consolidates reciprocal respect, rejects oppression, and establishes a mutual relationship among peoples and nations. In fact there's a great need to leave the door for dialogue wide open with everybody in all directions. The final communiqué stated that common moral values of Islam and Christianity reject violence, extremism and collective punishment. We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the General Secretary Dr Mohammed Al Sherif and all his colleagues of the Da'wa Islamiya for this initiative and for the atmosphere of openness in the way of dialogue. back to index
20 – 23 Settembre 2003: 14ma Sessione del Concilio Internazionale dell'Islamic Call Societies. La Conferenza si è svolta con la partecipazione dei rappresentanti di 130 organizzazioni cristiane ed islamiche tra i quali vi era il nostro Vescovo, Monsignor Martinelli, ed altri responsabili di altre Chiese: la Greca -Ortodossa, la Copta - Ortodossa e l'Anglicana. Il tema di questa conferenza internazionale di 4 giorni è stato il concetto Islamico del "conoscersi gli uni e gli altri" "li tàarafu. Si è chiaramente evidenziato come il dialogo costruttivo, consolidato dal reciproco rispetto, rifiuta l'oppressione e stabilisce un reciproco rapporto tra le genti e le nazioni. Infatti vi è una grande necessità di lasciare le porte spalancate al dialogo con tutti ed in tutte le direzioni. Il comunicato finale ha confermato che i comuni valori morali dell'Islam e della Cristianità, rifiutano la violenza, l'estremismo e la punizione collettiva. Tutti i nostri auguri al Dr Mohammed Al Sherif e a tutto lo staff della Dàwa Islamiya per questa initiativa e per l'atmosfera di aperture e dialogo durante la conferenza. back to index
8th – 13th March 2004: Inter-religious Meeting in Rome The meeting organized by the Islamic Call Society together with the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue was held in Rome at the Pontifical Council Conference Hall. It aimed at a deeper knowledge about the imams and the priest and the strengthening of the links that exist on a local and regional level for a reciprocal respect and the cooperation. Among those who participated were 35 Imams and Bishops from different countries. In their final communiqué, the participants underlined the importance of dialogue and reciprocal acquaintance which is the only way which leads to built bridges of reciprocal respect. The communiqué has also underlined the importance of mutual knowing and friendship between the imam and the priests. This will avoid conflicts and problems. It also stated the role of the priest and the imam in society through the teaching of the moral principles and social justice and freedom. This meeting was another step on the way of dialogue. On the agenda were other points as preparation of the priests and imams; common points between religions; the role of the imam and priest in society; cooperation between imams and priests to put up common programs for the good of all believers. back to index
26-29 November 2004: The VII General Conference of the World Islamic Call SocietyH.E. Mons Pier Luigi Celata, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue was invited by the World Islamic Call Society (Al Daawa al Islamiya) for the opening session of their 7th General Conference held in Tripoli. In his message Mons. Celata conveyed the greetings of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Leader Muammar Al Ghaddafi, to H.E. Dr Mohammed Ahmed El Sheriff, General Secretary of the W.I.C.S. and to all the participants. He then shared some points on how religions can be a genuine mercy for humanity in many ways. He ended by saying that this can be so by the renewed will of their adherents, especially of Christians and Muslims, to reinforcing their commitment for the respect of human dignity, justice and peace, and an integral and sustainable development through solidarity. During his stay Mons Celata also met the ex President of Algeria, Benbela Vice President of the Ghaddafi Prize for Human Rights' Committee. back to index 26-29 novembre 2004 – Settima Conferenza Generale della World Islamic Call Society (al Daawa al Islamiya) Sua Ecc. Mons. Pier Luigi Celata, Segretario del Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Interreligioso, e' stato invitato per l'apertura di detta Conferenza che si e' tenuta a Tripoli. Nel suo messaggio Mons. Celata ha trasmesso il saluto di Sua Santità il Papa Giovanni Paolo II al Leader Muammar el Ghaddafi, al Dr. Mohammed Ahmed el Sherif, Segretario Generale della W.I.C.S. e a tutti i partecipanti. Ha poi parlato della religione spiegando che puo' essere in vari modi una vera grazia per l'umanità. Ed ha concluso invitando i partecipanti, specialmente Crisitani e Musulmani, a rinforzare il loro impegno per il rispetto della dignità umana, della giustizia e della pace, e per uno sviluppo integrale attraverso la solidarietà. back to index
Durante il suo soggiorno a Tripoli, Mons. Celata ha incontrato l'ex Presidente dell'Algeria, Benbella, Vice Presidente del Comitato per il Premio Gheddafi per i diritti umani. VII GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WORLD ISLAMIC CALL SOCIETY(26 November 2004, Tripoli, Libya)Discorso di S.E. Mons Pier Luigi Celata , Segretario del Consiglio Pontificio per il Dialogo Inter-Religioso durante l'appertura della VII a Conferenza Generale della Societa' all'Appello Islamico Mondiale che si e' tenuta a Tripoli il 26 Novembre 2004. Address of H.E. Archbishop Pier Luigi CelataSecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Interreligious Dialogue (Vatican) Dear Participants at the VII General Conference of the World Islamic Call Society, 1. I have the honour to convey to His Excellency the Leader of the Revolution, Colonel Moammar Al Gheddafi the respectful greetings of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. It is fitting to recall in this context the Leader's willingness to open the Islamic identity of this country to dialogue in different aspects of society. 2. I am grateful to His Excellency Dr Mohammad Ahmed Sherif, Secretary General of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS), for inviting me to be present at this inaugural session of your Conference and for asking me to address you. I would like to express my appreciation for his commitment in promoting inter-religious dialogue. I am also thankful to you all for the kind and generous hospitality, one of the characteristics of the Arab culture. 3. The invitation for a Catholic Bishop representing a central office of the Catholic Church to be present in a meeting of an Islamic Organisation is certainly a sign of openness, consideration and friendship. His Holiness Pope John Paul II said, when receiving recently a delegation of Religious Leaders from Azerbaijan, headed by a Muslim and including an Orthodox Christian and a Jew: "…friendship and reciprocal esteem, if it is also supported by commitment to tolerance on the part of Governments, constitutes a rich resource of genuine progress and peace." I would like my presence here with you to be, in some how, like the visit of these religious leaders to the Vatican and be a symbol to "show that tolerance is possible, and constitutes a value of civilization that puts the premise for a wider and more interdependent human, civil and social development." As you know, these values of respect and civilisation are at the same time an integral part of interreligious dialogue. 4. I am sure that you are aware that the dialogue the Catholic Church is engaged in promoting with followers of other religions, in this case with Muslims, while aiming at building a tolerant, just, peaceful and harmonious society, is sustained by a theological vision on the relation between religions. For us Christians, all human beings have one origin, are created by God and existing thanks to his caring Providence, and they all have one end, eternal life with God. Catholics also believe that God's Spirit is at action in every human person, in every culture, and in every religion. I cannot be exhaustive on such an important and large topic in a short time like this. 5. The theme of this Conference reminds me, as a Christian, of one of the Beatitudes in the teaching of Jesus: "Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them". For Muslims, Islam is a mercy (rahma) for humanity. I would like to make some brief considerations regarding religions as a mercy for humanity. You surely know that some would affirm the contrary: religions as a source of tension, exclusion, hatred, fundamentalism and sometimes of violence and terrorism. We Christians and, I am sure, Muslims also, do not share this vision. Representatives of Islam and Christianity, together with persons from other religions, met in Rome from 16-18 January 2003 to share on the spiritual resources of the Religions for Peace, exploring their respective sacred texts in the promotion of peace. They chose not only to speak of texts in favour of peace, but also of those needing special care in interpretation so as not to be misunderstood and used against peace! That meeting was meant to be a kind of follow up of the Day of Prayer for Peace, which took place at Assisi, the 24 January 2002, at the initiative and invitation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. As you know, the participants, representing a large number of religious traditions, committed themselves on ten points, which some like to call the "Ten commandments for peace". To remember these points, even in abbreviated form, can help to understand how the religions should be promoting mercy in practice, and where, either directly or indirectly, they should be using their influence so that the mercy of God can reach the hearts and minds of all men and women in the reality of their everyday lives: 1. rejection of violence and terrorism; 2. mutual respect and esteem; 3. promotion of a culture of dialogue; 4. respect for everyone's right to live in accordance with their own cultural identity; 5. a commitment to frank and patient dialogue; 6. a commitment to mutual forgiveness for errors and prejudices of the past and the present; 7. a commitment to the poor and those denied a voice; 8. support for those who refuse violence and evil; 9. the promotion of friendship between peoples; 10. to do one's best to urge leaders of nations to create and consolidate a world of solidarity and peace based on justice. 6. Really, religions can be a genuine mercy for humanity in many ways. But perhaps most importantly this can be so by the renewed will of their adherents, especially of Christians and Muslims, to reinforcing their commitment for the respect of human dignity, justice and peace, and an integral and sustainable development through solidarity. In the name of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, I wish success for your Conference for the genuine good of humanity and I invoke on you all the blessing of Almighty God. Thank you! back to index
6-8th March 2006 – "Interreligious Dialogue at the service of integral development for the individual and society" was the theme of our last meeting held in Tripoli at the centre of the Daawa Islamiya – Islamic Call Society the meeting was jointly organized by the Islamic Call Society and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See (Vatican) back to index
29 th December 2006: Christmas and Aid el Adha in Tripoli – Just few days after the celebration of Christmas and two days before our New Year, the Moslem feast of the sacrifice (Aid el Adha) gave us another opportunity to join our Muslims friends in Libya in their celebration, thanks to an invitation by the Leader of the Great Revolution, Colonel Muammar el Ghaddafi to exchange greetings with our Bishop, Mgr Martinelli, and the Christian community in Tripoli. It was an unusual invitation which goes in line with what is by now customary signs of respect fruit of dialogue and friendship; signs of friendship that come every year at this time of Christmas with gifts of palm trees and dates to recall the narration of the birth of Jesus as recorded in the Holy Koran and with other invitations to take part in television programmes that recall this feast. The meeting began with verses recited from the Koran as an opening prayer. Then the floor was given to Mgr Martinelli ofm as a representative of the Holy See and Shepherd of the Catholic Community in Tripoli. Bishop Giovanni on behalf of the other denominations, (Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Anglicans and Union Church present for the meeting) extended greetings to the Leader and all the Libyan people for Aid el Adha and thanked him for the freedom of worship in Libya. He was then followed by the General Secretary of the people's congress. In the first part of his speech the Leader, analyzed at length the basic teachings in both the Koran and the Bible to underline the fact that we are all believers in the One God and that religion should not divide peoples but rather unite them in what is essential. Though a convinced Muslim, the Leader did not mind to propose Mecca to be open to and heritage of all peoples. In this one may perceive a deep desire of presenting an open Islam, putting aside all differences to enjoy the richness of Faith. At the same time one admires what strikes the leader most in the Gospel, mainly the beatitudes. Like many other leaders in the world today, aware of the tensions, divisions, injustice and clashes, Col Ghaddafi continued his speech inviting all not to be spectators but to act for more justice and peace. Such initiatives promoting dialogue and friendship are always positive and help for a mutual knowledge and understanding of the other. Many Libyas who followed the meeting on television greeted our sisters who work in the social services. One could easily see their satisfaction for being so close to the Libyan leadership and authority. back to index29 dicembre 2006: Natale cristiano e la festa del sacrificio musulmano a Tripoli La sera del 29 dicembre 2007 a Tripoli – Libya - la comunità cristiana di diverse denominazioni e nazionalità con i loro pastori guidati dal Vescovo cattolico con musulmani libici membri del congresso generale del popolo e personalità religiose e della cultura del paese, con gli ambasciatori cristiani presenti a Tripoli sono stati invitati dal Colonnello Muamar Gheddafi, leader rivoluzione libica, a trascorrere con Lui una serata di convivialità all'interno della sua caserma e ciò alla vigilia della festa del sacrificio e dell'anno nuovo 2007.Le persone invitate e accolte sotto una grande erano oltre 500.All'indirizzo di auguri al Leader dei responsabili del congresso generale del popolo libico è seguito quello del Vescovo cattolico che a nome di tutti lo ha ringraziato della libertà religiosa concessa alla comunità cristiana di ogni nazionalità presente in ogni angolo della Libya.E' seguito una lunga disquisizione del Leader sulla fede musulmana, e sul pellegrinaggio all Mecca luogo sacro prima di Mohammed e quindi apero a tutti i credenti. Il messaggio delle due fedi, musulmana e cristiana ha sottolineato deve impegnare le due comunità ad un vero dialogo che aiuti la società di oggi a ritrovare il senso di Dio e un orientamento per il rispetto dei diritti dell'uomo alla soluzione della povertà per la pace nel mondo. Ci sembra è sembrato che Gheddafi ha voluto offrire alle due comunità musulmana e cristiana di Tripoli un'esperienza di amicizia e convivialità nel contesto delle due celebrazioni del Sacrificio e del Natale mettendo in evidenza la ricchezza del messaggio delle due fedi che richiede il rispetto vicendevole. Non ha mancato di sottolineare che l'Islam è il sigillo della Rivelazione e che i cristiani sono invitati a riconoscere Mohammed come profeta come afferma il vangelo (apocrifo)di Bernaba. Interessante ed apprezzato da tutti i cristiani la sua meditazione su alcune beatitudini del Vangelo...quale "beati i puri di cuore perchè vedranno Dio"! L'Uomo di oggi, ha detto, non sa veder Dio, non sa far posto a LUI nella sua vita perchè è ripieno di materialismo, egoismo che non gli lasciano contemplare il volto di Dio e non lo aiuta ad illuminare la storia e gli eventi dei nostri giorni. Ha invitato quindi tutti, singoli e politici cristiani in particolare ad una conversione che purifichi il cuore per saper gestire con saggezza la vita di ogni giorno e dare una testimonianza che risponda alle esigenze del Vangelo.Alla fine del suo discorso Gheddafi ha invitato l'Imam e il Vescovo cattolico a concludere con una preghiera. E' stata un'ispirazione divina che sia affiorata sulla bocca del Vescovo, imbarazzato e colto alla sprovvista, le parole del Padre nostro in arabo. E' stata la preghiera che ha sigillato una esperienza di fraternità e di amicizia in questa terra in cui cristiani di ogni popolo e nazione vivono e lavorano insieme ai musulmani per il progresso del paese con la forza della fede che si misura quotidianamente nella sfida dell'amore vicendevole. +fr.Giovanni Martinelli ofm 27th August 2007: the second meeting of the Inter Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) hosted by Da’wa al Islamiyat. The Church was invited to participate in the inauguration of the second meeting of the Inter Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) hosted by Da’wa al Islamiyat. Msgr. Martinelli, OFM., Bishop of Tripoli, together with two Filipino priests, Fr. Celso Larracas, OFM and Fr. Allan Jose Arcebuche, OFM, represented our Church during the opening session held in Da’wa Al Islamiyah conference hall.while Fr Daniel Farrugia was present for the dinner given by the staff of Da’wa al Islamiyat in honour of the delegates who attended. The gathering envisions a continent where the beliefs and traditions of others are respected; countries are united, peaceful, democratic and non-racial, where gender equality reigns and all people can live a decent life.Present for this meeting were representatives from the different diplomatic communities and participants from the seven major faith traditions working for peace and human rights on the African Continent: the African Traditional Religions, the Baha’l Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. A build up activity for the forth coming Sept first……. Revolution day that goes along the line of the revolutionary leader M.Al Ghaddafi , “the call for co-existence and tolerance in Africa”. back to index
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