An authentic, profound and necessary dialogue that promoted by Dante Alighieri company of Vibo Valentia During the meeting held yesterday at the city headquarters of the cultural body, entitled “Dialogue between Christianity and Islam: what future for ethnic minorities in Italy?”.
To open the works was the president Pippo Prestia, who welcomed authorities and participants, wanted to underline how Christianity, Islam and Judaism, the three great monotheistic religions, have been crossed over time by conflicts, but also by intense cultural exchanges and moments of mutual enrichment. “In western cities – said Prestia – a culture of religious pluralism and ethnic minorities is growing, including Muslim communities, are increasingly active in public life. This offers the opportunity to build a coexistence based on mutual respect and understanding.”
Recalling the 2019 meeting in Abu Dhabi between Pope Francis El‘Imam ahmad al-tayyebPrestia recalled the importance of the document on human brotherhood, underlining how also the Dante Alighieri company has a duty to promote a space of dialogue between peoples. “Build bridges, knock down walls,” he reiterated, citing the words of Pope Francis.
To coordinate the interventions, Professor Caterina Calabrese, who introduced the various speakers with great balance and sensitivity. Among these, the principal Lorenzo Melligrana has offered an articulated reflection on Islamic culture and on the importance of dialogue with the West, focusing on some sure of the Koran in which the female figure appears subjected to man. An opportunity to deepen the challenges posed by the need to reconcile the values of freedom and equality with the traditions of other cultures.
Monsignor then intervened Gaetano Curràwith an intervention full of theological and spiritual references. “God is only one – he said – and every person is his image. This is the foundation of fraternity.” The parish priest recalled Pope Francis’ journey to Jerusalem in 2014, strongly reiterating the four pillars of dialogue: respect, understanding, refusal of violence and common commitment for peace. Faith, he added, must lead to see every human being as a brother, in a time marked by progress, but also by conflicts and poverty.
The architect Alì BratiMuslim of Iranian origin, then brought his testimony, illustrating some fundamental principles of Islam, such as the centrality of the Koran, daily prayer, charity (Zakat) and fasting during Ramadan. He recalled that, beyond cultural differences, the values of justice, mercy and solidarity represent a common ground on which to build an authentic coexistence.
To close the meeting, the poetic intervention of Gianluca Rubinowhich declared the unpublished text “to the lords of the war”, taken from the collection in preparation Shämà. An intense civil and spiritual invocation that has been able to touch the heart of those present, recalling everyone to individual responsibility to oppose violence and build, with words and actions, a future of peace.
The prefect of Vibo Valentia was also present at the meeting Anna Aurora Colosimothe mayor Enzo Romeo and Maria Liguori Baratterihonorary president of the Dante Alighieri company Vibonese, who with their presence testified to the institutional and cultural importance of the topic dealt with.
A precious moment, therefore, of confrontation and listening, which offered the Vibonese community the opportunity to reflect on one of the great challenges of our time: the recognition of the other as a resource and not as a threat.