Global Arab Network | Third Conference for European Imams and Religious Advisors Opens in Vienna

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Third Conference for European Imams and Religious Advisors Opens in Vienna

Global Arab Network - - Rabih Serrai

Friday, 14 May 2010 20:48

The Third Conference for European Imams and Religious Advisors opens in Vienna today evening with 120 Muslim scholars from 40 European countries attending.

The two-day gathering, being organized by the Islamic Religious Authority in Austria, will explore ways to improve the situation of the Muslim communities in Austria and Europe at large, head of the authority Anas Al-Shaqfa told KUNA.

"It is part of the ongoing dialogue between the Muslim and the Western communities aiming to counter Islamophobia in Europe and remove unfair stereotypes about Muslims," he pointed out.

"The Muslim communities constitute a source of enrichment to the societies they live in, not a threat as the right-wing parties and extremist Christian groups allege," Al-Shaqfa underscored.

"The conference will discuss a range of topics such as moderation as a crucial part of the practical Islamic thought, the combat against violence within families, society and the international community, and promotion of women's role as an influential part of the European Muslim communities and preparing and qualifying them for this task.

"The agenda also includes how to clarify the Muslim positions towards current and future European issues, and how to build relations between European Muslims and their fellow citizens by promoting dialogue and peaceful social interaction," Al-Shaqfa disclosed.

The chain of these events explore ways to promote the role of Imams in public awareness and showing the true picture of Islam as a middle path away from extremism and fanaticism in an attempt to build on the common grounds between the Muslim and the Western communities, he went on to say.

"The final communique of the conference, held here in 2007, urged the Western countries to combat the unfair stereotypes about Islam in order to promote coexistence among all components of their communities," Al-Shaqfa recalled.

Politicians, religious representatives, diplomats, representatives of civil society were attending the opening ceremony of the conference, co-hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the City of Vienna and the European Islamic Conference.

The top guests include Austrian President Dr. Heinz Fischer, Foreign Minister Dr. Michael Spindelegger and Mayor and Governor of the City of Vienna Dr. Michael Haupl.(KUNA)

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