الفهرس

‮For an effective role of Europe in promoting

dialogue among cultures and civilizations

against terrorism

Walter Schwimmer*

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Immediately after the horrendous terrorist attacks of 9/11 I initiated in remembrance of the victims a special service which took place in Strasbourg Cathedral. It was a moving service, jointly celebrated by the representatives of the main Christian churches, and also addressed by leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities of Strasbourg. This was a most impressive demonstration of unity against those who by committing these crimes not only sought to kill but also wished to shatter our confidence in our values. It demonstrated also the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect which we need when we are faced with nearly the same challenges.

Europe and its neighbours face of course similar challenges in this fast globalising world and we need to prepare our societies to deal with them. The right answers are essential. The challenges to our future – global terrorism tries to hi-jack religion , the poverty gap is growing, financial mismanagement in one country has suddenly global impacts, the threats to environment and climate and not to forget migration flows that get out of control – require a collective regional, international and global response. Facing these challenges, if we take our responsibility seriously, leaves no space for what was called by an American author “the clash of civilisations”. On the contrary, civilisations are jointly challenged. Terrorism is not the result of one civilisation opposing or attacking another one, no, it is an attack on all civilisations. The problem of poverty is not only a problem of poor regions or countries, no it’s a problem of the prosperous countries too and keeping the economy moving concerns not only the developed countries. The threats to climate and our natural resources are threats to the future of all of us. And migration flows need joint action of the countries of origin, transit and destination in a spirit that goes beyond the mentality of a besieged fortress. This all needs global thinking and global solidarity.

Yes, we are still sometimes divided on the responses to common challenges. Some are tempted to find convenient enemies, thereby feeding all sorts of phobias and hatred. But we should not be distracted from the pressing challenges of ensuring peace, sustainable development, human dignity and democracy, because they are the keys to any effective answer. We need each other and probably more so than ever in these difficult times since “9-11”.

Therefore I would like to congratulate United Nations, the Tunisian Government and ISESCO for the initiative to convene an International Conference on Terrorism: Dimensions, Threats and Countermeasures. And I am grateful to the organisers for having invited me and for giving me the opportunity to speak on “Challenging Stereotypes and Promoting Inter-Faith Dialogue”. This topic is very close to my heart since my days as Secretary General of the Council of Europe and now particular in my capacity as Chairman of the International Coordination Committee of the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations.

Indeed, terrorism must be defeated with utmost vigour but not at any cost, certainly not at the cost of human dignity, human rights, respect for cultural and religious diversity, the rule of law and democracy: we must not undermine ourselves those fundamental values that terrorists mock and ruin. It is therefore very important that abuses by all sides be prosecuted.

It is further important for states to refrain from actions which are likely to further fuel terrorism, such as using quasi-terrorist means or closing all avenues for negotiations.

And it is essential that the root causes of terrorism be addressed. In this respect, I started in the Council of Europe an ambitious programme for intercultural and interreligious dialogue and I still do not get tired to appeal to invest in education, confidence-building, action against social exclusion, illegal migrations, etc., and also and in particular to fight stereotypes, all kind of xenophobia, anti-Semitism as well as Islamophobia, intolerance and discrimination. And I have been convinced, that Europe cannot do this alone and on its own only. I was the first Secretary General of the Council of Europe, today a 47 member states organisation, to attend and to address the Summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, I invited the Secretary General of the Arab League, my friend Amr Mussa, to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and we started cooperation with ISESCO, an organisation which builds like the Council of Europe so much on education, science and culture. Now I have joined the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations which is globally promoting inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue through mutual respect. Education and work with young people is also high on the agenda of this organisation.

Looking to our common challenges and also opportunities we have much more in common than many people in our countries think. Unfortunately people too often look first at differences and what may divide us than to what may unite us.

Diversity within and between our societies should be seen as an asset, not as an obstacle. We must learn to learn from each other.

Europe itself contains a wide diversity of nations, cultures, religions, minorities. Europe this is 48 states, 200 languages, several religious denominations Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews, even Buddhist, Latin, Germanic, Slavic, Ottoman traditions and others. Since 2004 a Semitic language, Maltese, is one of the official languages of the European Union. There has been always an interaction with our neighbours in the East and in the South. During the time of the Roman Empire the Mediterranean at which’ shore we are meeting was called “mare nostrum” – our sea. The Arabs, who came to Spain and ruled the major part of the peninsula as “Al Andalus” brought a very valuable legacy back to Europe, the heritage of the great Greek philosophers.

In times of rising xenophobia and intolerance we have to recall the positive experiences with the wide diversity of nations, cultures and religions in Europe and the Mediterranean. I am convinced that it was exactly this diversity which helped to create a European cultural identity, to achieve so much in sciences and arts and finally to develop step by step also a European political identity. And this very specific identity includes the obligation to share the achievements with the neighbours and to get friends with the neighbours.

Europe has learned to some extent, often after tragic historical experiences, to develop responses to today’s challenges based on a joint commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I do not hesitate to admit that this is sometimes still not very easy and for sure not yet completed. In particular, certain terrorist attacks provide fertile ground for nurturing extremism, intolerance and racism which take hold insidiously, like an illness which is diagnosed only after its effects have become visible – i.e. too late. Therefore we have to speak out before in due time!

Let me quote one of the famous opponents to the Nazi-Regime in Germany, a protestant clergyman, Martin Niemoeller in this regard:

“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me”.

The responses, which we learned from this experience and which are increasingly elaborated together with civil society, build on universal values reflected in fundamental texts of the United Nations which are our common heritage.

So the European commitment to these global responses should include good neighbourhood and a real partnership with our neighbours in facing common challenges.

I mentioned already the title of Samuel P. Huntington’s book “The Clash of Civilisations” which is frequently quoted, but as I realised, very often by people who did not even read it. Time and again, I have repeated my own conviction that the current problems do not reflect a clash of civilisations but a clash of ignorance. I strongly believe that we can together afford bridging the understanding gap between Islamic nations and the so-called West. That is a prerequisite for starting our joint efforts to build a better world. Fundamentalism is not limited to one religion only. Sadly, we were reminded of this fact only shortly after 9/11 by terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland. I therefore pointed out in my address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe only two weeks after 9/11 that we should pay special attention to the danger of an increase of Islamophobia and fight fundamentalism and intolerance wherever we see it.

Each of us can start at home. Therefore, when addressing the Islamic Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2003, I underlined that, as the then Secretary General of the Council of Europe, I represented 800 million European citizens, including 100 million who may claim to have an Islamic faith or culture. Islamic countries are not only our neighbours, but the Islamic component is an integral part of Europe’s diversity. Of course, I did not claim that this diversity never poses problems. Problems do arise, such as incidents of Islamophobia, and issues concerning fundamental freedoms, equality between women and men, as well as integration of migrants. But there are other pressing issues too.

Terrorist acts violate our most fundamental rights, just as they offend our deepest religious beliefs. They must be condemned and repressed with utmost vigour. But we also have to ensure that our response to terrorism upholds our values. There is the need to avoid undermining or even destroying our values on the grounds of defending them. I am very proud that in that spirit the Council of Europe issued on my initiative “Guidelines on human rights and the fight against terrorism”. While stressing States’ duty to protect citizens from terrorist assaults on democracy and human rights, they recall that certain rights may not be derogated from under any circumstances. They further call for reasonable and proportionate measures.

They are more topical than ever.

Increased attention to unsolved conflicts may be deemed an important priority in the fight against terrorism. We should attach particular importance to the restoration of human rights and the rule of law that should in turn facilitate any political settlement in various conflict areas around the world.

The Iraq war is – as we can daily realize – not over. Afghanistan is still day by day the source of bad news. UN and African Union are still faced with the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Darfur province in Sudan.

As regards the Middle East, I would recall the steady support of Europe for the “road map” and that we see the return to the rule of law and the respect for the legal authorities of the Palestinians as part of the democratic and peaceful alternative to violence and terrorism. Fighting brought only suffering and no solution. There can be no military solution. Only reconciliation and mutual recognition will bring an end to this conflict.

We see clashes between state authorities and opposition in Pakistan and in Georgia, and whenever religion seems to play a role in such conflicts, it is my deep conviction, that religion is just hijacked and abused for very simple political reasons.

What can we do in this sea of troubles beside keeping our optimism and sticking to our ideals?

We, our partners and neighbours and the Europeans, can jointly re-examine history teaching in order to overcome ignorance and prejudice.

In the same spirit, we should assess the way young people are made aware of religious diversity as a contribution to the intercultural and inter-religious dialogue as the alternative to the clash of ignorance. Education plays a key role in inculcating basic knowledge and promoting empathy about religious diversity as well as democratic practices. Let us engage in the development of standard curricula that should help teachers all over our globe to do precisely that. Becoming aware of the existence of other faiths and of their main features must become an indispensable part of any education in order to limit prejudice and hostility.

We can bring knowledge about the Islamic world and its religious and cultural traditions to Europe and we can bring knowledge about Europe and its religious and cultural traditions to the Islamic world. You may have realized that I did not say “about Islam to Europe” and “about Christianity to the Islamic world”. Why didn’t I? Because, as I pointed out before, Islam also belongs to European heritage as many Islamic countries are themselves multi-ethnic and multi-religious and Christianity belongs to the heritage of these countries too. Religion and democracy have in common the goal of peace and the concept of recognition and respect for others.

In today’s world it should mean all the others, without any further categories, distinctions or discriminations.

Let me stress another important aspect of this topic before I come to the end of my speech. We all are in favour of the dialogue of civilizations and the inter-faith dialogue. So usually at such conferences we are preaching to the already converted. But let me ask a question to you: who shall be the partners of this dialogue? The intergovernmental organisations and states that are organising such conferences and sending their representatives? The high authorities of the religious denominations, Muftis and Imams, Cardinals and Bishops? Of course, I welcome their participation and their support for the intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

I welcome in particular the call of 138 religious Muslim leaders for reconciliation and cooperation with Christians. Its title, drawn from a verse of the holy Qur’an, ‘A Common Word between Us and You’ describes very well what should be the starting point and the outcome of the interfaith dialogue. At the beginning there is the primacy of total love and devotion to God’ together with love of neighbour emphasized by the holy books of both religions whose believers make up more than half of the world’s population. The relationship between them is therefore “the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world.”. And ‘A Common Word between Us and You’ should be found wherever, whenever and by whomever there is an attempt to go the way of confrontation instead the way of peace. The open letter and call of the 138 deserves attention, discussion, recognition and response in the Christian world.

But the intercultural and inter-faith dialogue should not remain at the level of the leaders only. Of course, I would very much like to see what could be called the open reply of 138 Christian religious leaders drafted in the same spirit of love to God and of neighbour. But it gives us also the chance to have a much broader debate in civil society and in particular in the media. What will be essential for a success of the interfaith dialogue is the strong involvement of civil society and in particular of the youth. To coordinate civil society activities and to build a civil society network for the intercultural and interreligious dialogue around the world is a particular mandate given to me by the President of the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations, Vladimir Yakunin.

Let me repeat here what I was used to say frequently to my fellow Europeans: “The European project cannot be defined along narrowly construed cultural, religious, historic, geographic or even ethnic lines.

The project of political Europe is first and foremost based on values of democracy, human rights including the freedom of religion and the rule of law, of mutual respect for equality and human dignity.” The same applies in a more and more globalized world to our common project of a better world.

I would like to see such an enlarged global project of shared values of democracy, tolerance, mutual understanding, human dignity and human rights and the rule of law, national and international law.

By concluding let me stress once again my conviction, that valuing diversity and linking diversity through a shared commitment to fundamental values, the recognition of love and peace is the essentials of the main religions, are keys to stable societies, free of fear and free of terrorism. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights. Let us defend and protect freedom, equality, dignity and rights together.

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(*) Former Secretary General of The Council of Europe Chairman of The International Coordination Committee of The World Public From Dialogue of Civilizations.

منشورات المنظمة الإسلامية للتربية والعلوم والثقافة ـ إيسيسكو ـ 1429هـ/2008م