As part of the cultural agenda of the 2008 "Women for Peace and Dialogue» the European Forum of Muslim women held the first conference in Athens on the 7^th November 2008 with the support of UNESCO and in cooperation with the European Network for Cooperation, Development and Culture, The Arab-Hellenic Cultural Center, the cultural center in Greece “HAJAR”, as well as the Greek committee for child care.

 

7 November 2008 - from 09.00 to 18.00
Caravel Hotel Athens

As part of the cultural agenda of the 2008 "Women for Peace and Dialogue» the European Forum of Muslim women held the first conference in Athens on the 7^th November 2008 with the support of UNESCO and in cooperation with the European Network for Cooperation, Development and Culture, The Arab-Hellenic Cultural Center, the cultural center in Greece “HAJAR”, as well as the Greek committee for child care.

   The Forum was represented by Ms Noura Jaballah President of the European Forum of Muslim Women, who came from Paris to participate in the conference and deliver a speech entitled: "Islam, a religion of coexistence and dialogue."

More specifically about the prospect of Islam on the difference between people and the possibility of familiarization with integration and in the minds of the people. The European Forum of Muslim women, based on this understanding of Islam in relation to the reality in Europe and worldwide is seeking to be the definition’s initiative of Muslim women, pointing out that dialogue is the best way to achieve the goals and demonstrate the positive role in enriching European societies.

 

Mr. Sklavounos "Sociologist and ex European parliament " indicated that the model of Muslim women is an example to enrich the European Community and an important element, particularly because of the values and principles, which form a legacy for the next generation. Dialogue among Civilizations is not compulsory to yield a single model of multicultural personality, but it is necessary evolution of privacy and diversity of each culture, acceptance of differences between them and the need for dialogue to achieve concrete results.

 

Ms Emmi Papazoglou, writer, researcher and cultural consultant, made it clear that municipalities and provinces of

Greece are interested in the convergence of cultures and will try to absorb the foreigners staying in their territory either through educational programs and cultural events, or through studies on the issue of convergence between different civilizations in Greece and Europe. The respect for different cultural and religious values is a right for all.

   Mrs Adamopoulou from prefecture of Athens expressed her congratulations for the step of the forum of Muslim women towards dialogue and positive integration into Greek society, and stressed the strong desire of Greek people to hear the voices of Muslim women, the voice of knowledge and dialogue. She also pointed out that the prefecture of Athens remains in all respects ready for any cooperation at all levels.

   Ms. Hala Akari as responsible of women in the club of Arab-Hellenic cultural center, and member of the Board of the European Forum of Muslim women, dealt with the reality of Muslim women in Europe and Greece, the aspirations and challenges they face. She emphasized that Muslims in Greece today, and especially Muslim women, are more prepared than any other time before for dialogue, integration. The hope and anticipate positive contribution to the development of Greek society, as well as the European. The aim is that its enrichment will remain the defining feature of Islamic identity, which is a source of positive personality and achievements.

 

In the second phase of the conference, Ms Helen Fiotaki, teacher in a secondary school in

Athens, addressed the issue of communication between Muslims and Greeks, as most of the Greeks have different background of knowledge on Islam and the position of Muslim women. She pointed out the importance of the media and intellectual property in shaping public opinion, as well as the responsibility of intellectuals. She also noted that the Greek government and society must do more to give the legitimate rights of Muslims in Greece, as the mosque and a Muslim cemetery in Athens, thus taking several important steps towards dialogue and convergence between cultures.

 

Dr Mounir Abdul Rasoul, a doctor and imam in

Athens talked about the perception of Islam as regards the situation of women in society and religion. He also highlighted how Islam has honored woman and gave an important place at all levels. He talked about the situation of women today in the West in general and Muslim women. In particular he showed how they can maintain their commitment to their religion and at the same time increase the level of participation in society.

 

At the end of the conference some real narratives took place from three Muslim women, who are living in

Greece and have submitted their experiences about the conditions and their way of life. They were able through their commitment to Islamic clothing, to demonstrate that they have done many achievements in scientific and professional level both for themselves and for the Greek society.

  Ms Rasa Akari, teacher in the largest school for deaf people in Athens «KEAT» and responsible for the cultural center «Agar», spoke about her experience as a student still at university, and the journey in search of work as well as the difficulties she has experienced due to the headscarf. Today, she says that she is in this job for 5 years, having worked for a year in the same position voluntarily. She also talked about how she managed to make her colleagues and parents of children to see her personality and her outstanding professionalism beyond the scarf and how Islam requires from her to deal with difficulties with hope, to be creative towards the environment and in the community where she lives.

 

Ms. Sayaida Bayan, doctor, conveyed her experience as a student in medical school with her colleagues and professors in the University. She spoke about the difficulties she faced as a student and mother, and pointed out that although

Greece is a hospitable country and respects others, some laws should be revised or adjusted to correct this imbalance which is caused.

  Finally, Ms Kawthar Serhan, doctor in the Islamic and Byzantine political and strategic history in an academic way expressed the issue of non-Islamic minorities during the era of Islam compared to the situation of the Islamic minority in Greece. She presented the importance of scarf for Muslim woman either if she is in her country or in the west, indicating that it’s her right to dress however she desires as long as she is not disturbing anyone.

 

It should be noted that the questions and discussions of Greeks and Muslims who followed each speech were important, substantial and livened the atmosphere of the workshop. The event was covered by correspondents from major newspapers in Athens, but also from the correspondent of Aljazeera NET and other Arab magazines.

   At the end of the workshop Ms. Hala Akari made a sum up of all the speeches that preceded and having thanked the audience for their attention and concentration made a presentation of the results.

Results:

 

1 - Islam is a religion which recognizes the right of others to encourage diversity and dialogue as a means for convergence.

2 - The Muslim woman in the West is an element of enrichment with her uniqueness as an active member of society and this is most visible in countries where her political rights and diversity are recognized.

 

3 - The ideal personality the lives in a multicultural society is the one that insists on authenticity, also respects others and recognizes their right to be different.

4 - Official organizations in Greece that are dealing with the understanding of the Muslim reality, respect their privacy, guarantee their rights and take decisive steps on the path of dialogue with them, encouraging any movement by Muslims in this area.

 

5 - Muslims need to know more about the laws in

Greece in order to be familiar with their rights and demand them.

6 - The media and intellectuals in Greece must use the correct sources for Islam and Muslims so that they can perform the informative and educational role properly in Greek society and this way public opinion of Greeks will build the foundation for a constructive dialogue between Muslims and Greeks in Greek society for the common good.

7 - Muslim women in Greece made the first step from their side in the path of dialogue wanting to make their voice audible, and promise to seek more communication and action for the good of Greece.

 

Athens 8^th of November 2008