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Is it possible to live together peacefully in our society that is ever more multicultural, multiethnic, with multi-religions? A dialogue among religions will be at the centre of the “Festival for a united world”.
Thursday, August 18th, at 8 p.m., at Friedenspark, Cologne’s “Park of Peace”, young people from various countries – Israel, Egypt, Belgium, Syria, Lebanon, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, the Philippines, Madagascar, Germany, Austria and Belgium – will give witness to brotherhood lived in situations that are often characterized by social and political tensions, by indifference and individualism.
This will take place at the “Colourdome”, one of Youth for a United World, of the Focolare Movement’s contributions for World Youth Day 2005.
Some anticipations:
Ossama is Egyptian. He works in a transportation agency. Almost all of his co-workers are Muslim. … It’s a challenge. The first days at work a sense of insecurity began to bother him. He started trying to live as suggested by the “Golden Rule” that many religions share: “Do unto others as you would want them to do to you.” (Matt. 7,12) He started with small acts, such as preparing tea for the workers who came in tired after loading the trucks. Little by little every barrier fell and a true friendship began.
Ages, from Southeast Asia. In Asia Christians are a minority among Buddhist, Hindus and Muslims. To know how to dialogue is certainly not taken for granted, it’s an art to be learned. That’s why Ages went to Tagaytay, a small city of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines. There they have courses from the “School of Oriental Religions”, where young people of various religions from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand participate.
There are also concrete actions in politics
which can contribute to an approach among religions
Sylwin from Cebu tells us about it. Reacting to the widespread political apathy, the youth of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines are committed to promoting an active participation in the next presidential elections. The “White Forum” was started a year ago. It uses all means of communication: TV, radio, the press, parish and school contacts, with the involvement of various youth organizations. And youth from other religions take part in their projects.
