杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni 鈥� Abu Dhabi

The highlight of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� first full day in Abu Dhabi was his participation in the 鈥淕lobal Conference for Human Fraternity鈥� organized by UAE authorities at the Founder鈥檚 Memorial.

Apart from the two key figures at the event 鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al- Ahzar 鈥� dozens of religious leaders and scholars of different religions brought the voices of faith to the conversation during two days of intense debate.

There were Christians of all denominations, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs. There were even Bahai and Zoroastrian representatives giving the event a truly global and inclusive dimension.

Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Rome-based Community of Saint Egidio, gave a speech appealing to all men and women of goodwill to seek peace without fear, pointing out that God does not abandon the world to the logic of violence, but comes to our rescue multiplying our efforts for peace when we turn to him in prayer.

Prof. Impagliazzo says he owes his presence here to the invitation of the Grand Imam of Al- Ahzar , Dr Ahmed al Tayeb, whom he said has very close to ties to the Community of St. Egidio and walks with community members 鈥渋n the spirit of Assisi鈥�.

The spirit of Assisi

The spirit of Assisi was born of one of 杏MAP导航 St. John Paul II鈥檚 great intuitions when he convened 70 representatives of major religions to the town of Saint Francis in 1986 鈥渟o that a single song of peace might be offered to the one God from many hearts and in many languages鈥�.

This spirit, Impagliazzo says, lives on, fostering dialogue between religions for peace.

鈥淭ogether with The Council of Elders that Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb presides over鈥�, Impagliazzo says, 鈥渨e are engaged to reconcile the cultures of the West and the East 鈥� especially the West and Islam鈥�.

He points out that this is far from the first time he and the Grand Imam have been involved together in an interreligious Conference for peace.

鈥淭he Community of St. Egidio is deeply committed to doing its part in seeking dialogue and a common path for the two religions,鈥� he says.

All religions supporting 杏MAP导航 Francis in his effort for peace

Impagliazzo describes the Abu Dhabi Conference as 鈥渁 fundamental event for peace鈥� that shows that in this moment of time 鈥渆very religion has to be an ally for the others鈥�.

鈥淚solation of religion doesn鈥檛 work in this world because we need a strong engagement of religions for peace,鈥� he says.

Today, Impagliazzo concludes, 鈥渢he 杏MAP导航 is the real world leader on this issue, and all the religions today are behind the 杏MAP导航 to support his effort for peace鈥�.