March 2005, Forli - EU, Back to Tolerance
May 2005, Enshede - SprIng Agora - workshop
The EuroIslam Project and the Traffic Lights by Gülece Senel Red, yellow and green: the colors of the traffic lights… Intolerance, readiness and activeness: the feelings of a driver… Stop, prepare and go: the (re)actions… And their combination: stop at the intolerant red, prepare yourself at the ready yellow and go at the active green… Actually, traffic lights are not only in the streets, but also at home, at work etc. We are faced with red, yellow and green almost in every minute of our lives because there are two traffic lights that we carry in ourselves everywhere: one located in our brain and the other in our hearts. According to the colors of the lights, we (re)act: stop, get ready or go. For instance, when we meet a new culture, the lights are red, we create prejudices and stop. As soon as we start to discover that it is not so different from ours, yellow appears and we get ready to bring our armors down. Then, all of a sudden, we find out that there is actually no reason to stand apart, we are different but at the same time we have similarities and life is beautiful with the existence of “the other”. The other: culture, nation or religion. Certainly, it is the turn of the green… After 9/11 attacks in New York, the distinction between Christianity and Islam became more obvious and both sides were emitting red lights to the other. Hence, they were stopping and during this period, intolerance rose and the gap between them enlarged. In 2003, some courageous people within AEGEE put yellow on and got rid of their armors. Then, green took the floor and persons like Hakan Gümüş and Leila Koocheky initiated the Euro-Islam project, whose goals were to promote an inter-religious dialogue especially between Islam and Christianity and to create open and tolerant societies by bringing youngsters from different religious backgrounds together. In accordance with these goals, the Euro-Islam project team, consisted of ten young people from different cultures, organized events in Münster (May 2003), Forli-Italy (March 2005), Iasi-Romania (April 2005), Ankara (Eye Contact, Oct.2005) and Bucharest (Oct. 2005). Through these, young people met each other, learn about each other, acquainted themselves with Islam and realized that Muslims are not actually “traditionalists” or “terrorists”. As the lights passed from red to yellow, they abolished their prejudices. Then, it was the turn of the green and
the participants got into action. They discussed topics like Islam in Europe, human rights, discrimination, terrorism and tried to develop strategies to enable a successful integration of European Muslims. “We should not conceive Muslim culture as an intruder in the European Society but as a part of it. The Euro-Islam project realized this kind of tolerance in a practical way. During the event, I developed a new attitude towards Islam and deepened my understanding of this religion.” said Helena Marusko, a participant from Slovenia. Certainly, this project made a big change in many lives, especially the ones involved in it. As Judith Zijlstra stated “It is indispensable to keep the dialogue alive and to actively confront our own neighbors with all the questions and doubts we have, either they live in the house or in the country next to us.” And now, AEGEE-Istanbul, with the dream of applying the theory of EuroIslam in the real life, wants to show to European and Muslim communities that they have the capacity to create mutual understanding. Under the umbrella of the Euro-Islam project, they work on “Questioning Identities in EuroIslam” conference, which will include lectures, debates, workshops, simulations and tours. By this method, they aim at questioning the different interpretations in Islam and the reflection of Muslim customs to the cultures they co-exist with. There is no doubt that this upcoming event will develop the Euro-Islam project and make steps forward for a better interreligious dialogue. Now, it is time to stop our intolerance towards others, prepare ourselves by opening the curtains and let the sunshine in. The peaceful green will show up soon. Then, it is the turn of action. And remember, the sun rises from the East… Gülece Şenel Special thanks to Judith Zijlstra, Zeynep Gülşen and Burcu Becermen
Gülece Şenel – 21 year-old and a member of AEGEE-Ankara for already two years. She is the coordinator of “Understanding Europe” project and a senior student at the Department of Economics. Believing the power of the positive energy, the sun is her symbol and her slogan is “Life is Beautiful!”...
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