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What are the main features of the Muslims-in-Europe charter?
Thanks.
Answer
Othman:Thank you Kaledovic,
It is good in the Beginning to clarify some important points related to the Charter. This Islamic charter I an effort by the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europé (FIOE) http://www.eu-islam.com/, in order to define the most important issues, Which we hope shall develop a general framework for understanding and working for Islam in the European Environment.
The Charter I a result of eight years work and its supposed to contribute and to provide an understanding of cultural-religious diversity in the European continent, respect for this diversity and a desire for peaceful coexistence. It also addresses the emphasis of tolerance of other cultures and on maintaining peace and Muslims positive integration not just in Europe but in the global.
There are three major sections of this charter, the first to understand Islam from the Koran and Sunnah, the second the relations between Muslims themselves, and the third deals with the relations between Muslims and non Muslims inside Europé.
Muslims in Europe are under a lot of pressure by the media with on-going negative stereotypes about Islam, Does the Charter address this problem? And how do you recommend it should be solved?
Answer
There is no doubt that the challenges facing Muslims in Europe are huge, and the most important challenge in media and how to deal with it. The Charter spoke in general terms about these challenges and called for active participation to on dealing and solving them and this of course includes the media.
I can not give a solution to this big problem, in this moment, but the Muslims themselves most develop programs with clear local and regional agenda over how to deal with this important issue.
Name
Aminah.M
- Italy
Profession
Civil Worker
Question
Salam Alikom,
I was wondering is that charter related to 'Charter of Values for Citizenship and Integration' that Abdullah Redouane the director of Italy's Islamic Cultural Centre, announced two years ago?
Answer
This charter has been signed by more than 400 Muslim organizations in 28 European countries from Russia to Spain, the majority of these institutions are members of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe; FIOE, and some of these associations do not belong to the FIOE.
However, the charter's principles are not only directed towards the organizations belonging to the FIOE, but towards all Muslims, and even non-Muslims, in Europe both individually and collectively.
We do welcome any initiatives in this field as long as the public interest is the goal.
Name
Kaledovic
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How can we as Muslims outside Europe help you in promoting such moves now or in the foreseeable future?
Answer
Thank you for your question,
We need the support of all Muslims, whether inside or outside Europe. Arabs and muslims media must play a role in clarifying and highlighting these initiatives, through all media channels that are seen or read by the Muslims in Europe.
We have seen some good media efforts in this direction, but more effort is needed. And at last but not the least we need your Dwaa inshallah. And I would like to thank Islamonline.net and Euro-Muslims page for giving us this opportunity.
Name
Sajid
- United Kingdom
Profession
IT
Question
Salam Alykom Warhmatullah,
I read the charter and there was an act on Citizenship section that says:
"As European citizens, Muslims of Europe regard that it is their duty to work for the good of society" Does that means joining the army to kill your fellow Muslims and spying on Muslims around you?
Answer
Walakom Assalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh akhi,
As Muslims and European citizens we have a general sense that we belong to one world and we want to adress the necessary of understanding and unity throughout Europe.
There have been important developments in the recent years concerning the concept European Muslims, but we have the citizenships concerns top on the agenda.
The charter encouraged European Muslims to participate in political and social life in their European countries; as active citizens, and to exercise their right to vote and work within the framework of respect for religious-cultural pluralism.
I will transfer the issue of joining the army to our scholars and Ulmaa at the European Council for research and Fatwa.
Name
Leis
- Belgium
Profession
Journalist
Question
Please allow me to differ,contrary to the claim this charter makes, Muslims are not one community.
They are a potpourri of very different cultures, geographical backgrounds, languages, histories, customs, and even ways of practicing Islam. So how can this charter be applied for sunch unitd groups of Muslims?
Answer
The FIOE didn’t claimed any time to represent all Muslims in Europe, we are fully aware of pluralism within the Muslims in Europe, but the charter is an attempt to unify the European Muslims visions towards the issues addressed on the charter.
The charter is without any doubt a human effort, and it needs to be criticized and debated, all aspects are welcomed and we hope them to be objectives.
Thanks
Name
Kaledovic
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How generalized and inclusive to Muslims in different European countries is the charter?
Answer
The Charter have been formed, as I said in previous answers, by workshops in 28 European countries, and work is now under way to widen the participation and support of Muslims, as well as non-Muslims in Europe.
Work is still under way to win the support of other European Muslim organisations.
Name
Ahmad
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Teacher
Question
Assalam alicom brother,
I guess there is not point of this charter because Muslims doesnt need a chrter while they have Qur'an and Sunnah to abide by, no matter where they are. what do you think?
Answer
Allahmdullilah akhi,
This Charter is inspired by the Qur'an and Sunnah and is deals with the European reality in the framework of an Islamic context.
Wassalam akhi
Name
Lili
- United States
Profession
researcher
Question
Hey,
I logged on the website that you mentioned earlier but there was nothing in it, there is nothing in English, is this the one (http://www.eu-islam.com)or you have another website?
Answer
Hey,
You are welcome to visit the FIOE website later; the English section of the website is still under construction.
Name
Layla
- Egypt
Profession
Question
What was the main aim of this charter? What are the main issues included in it?
Answer
The charter aims to prompte the role of Muslims in particpating to the European society and to help in building bridges with the rest of the Muslim world.
The Charter consists of an Introduction that shows the preliminary nature of the Muslims presence in Europe and features Assembly. This is followed by three essential sections; On the Understanding of Islam, the Muslim Presence in Society and Islam's Contribution to Europe.
Salaam 2008 being the official "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" so why the need for the euro-Muslim document since it seems the Europeans are ready to accept the reality of Muslims.
We in South Africa have overcome the need to be recognized and accepted when we inter married with the other cultural groups in South Africa. It also seems that we as Muslims need to accept that Europeans has their own cultural practices and we need to respect it.
We should ask for cultural tolerance and religious freedom in a manner it does not antagonize them. for example, if wine is being served at an event we either do not attend by respectfully decline invitation or if we need to attend just avoid drinking without making a scene...Should we seek a banning order against wine at the events they will perceive it as an onslaught against them in much the same way as a European demanding the right to serve/drink wine at a Muslim religious event.
Secularism is a form of religion
Answer
walaykom Assalam,
We believe that the Muslim presence in Europe needs to be more active and workable. The religious and intellectual starting point's concerning the coexistence and cooperation issues are still unclear to some Muslims as well as non-Muslims in Europe.
This was the main aim for this charter. The charter addressed the issues of understanding of cultural-religious diversity in the European continent, respect for this diversity and a desire for peaceful coexistence. It emphasizes even tolerance of other cultures and working for peace not just in Europe but in the global.
What is Dua-e-Kumail????
I,ve seen on a TV channel, this dua is being recited in the vicinity of Masjid-e-Nabwi @ Madina among a large gathering of visitors.
The channel ask the people to sponsor the dua at this time of Muharram to gain good things n barakah.
I'm cofused n want to know whether it is permissible in Islam to recite this Dua for gaining benefits.
What is the source of this dua???
I've never heard or read this dua in our religious books.
Pls. guide me.
Jazak Allahu Khair.
Answer
Walaykom Assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barkatahu
Thetopic of the live dialogue here is on the first European Muslims Charter, and therefore I apologize for not answering this question because it is outside the main scope. I think brothers and sisters in IslamOnlinenet will send your question to the experts.
The session has ended. We would like to thank Othman Al-Tawalbeh for taking the time to answer your questions and we apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session.
We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
