3rd Annual Religious Peace Conference

international | sci-tech | opinion/analysis

Wednesday May 09, 2007 14:42

by Sheikh Dr. Shaheed Satardien - Interfaith Roundtable

Faith, Education and Integration - Fitting in

The Inter-Faith Roundtable is a loose affiliation of people of different beliefs (from Christians, to Muslims, Hindus to Sikh etc) who seek to promote peace, tolerance, respect and understanding between the creeds and those of none. We believe that integration is an essential part of that process, as the lessons of Europe so starkly indicate.

According to the latest Census results, Ireland's population comprises about 10% of non-nationals. Whilst this is not significantly different from our European neighbours, the velocity of this development certainly is and is probably unique in modern peace-time history. Other countries have faced a much more gradual change in their cultural mix, they had much more time to gingerly test the waters. Ireland has been subjected to a somewhat more sudden immersion in the deep end of inter-culturalism.

It is arguable that this short-sharp-shock introduction to races, religions and cultures different from the Irish norm, may have been a positive development, akin to a patient being given less time to think about a potentially painful but beneficial injection. It is noticeable to anyone travelling in Europe that there appears to be far more cultural tensions in those countries where the rate of immigration was a more leisurely affair. In any event large numbers of migrants are here, and very likely here to stay. The question is, how best to integrate the "new" Irish and the "old" Irish?

The Inter-Faith Roundtable is a loose affiliation of people of different beliefs (from Christians, to Muslims, Hindus to Sikh etc) who seek to promote peace, tolerance, respect and understanding between the creeds and those of none. We believe that integration is an essential part of that process, as the lessons of Europe so starkly indicate. The role of education in promoting this development, in preparing our society for further changes in the future, and in arming our youth with the critical faculties necessary to address those changes, is very key. Accordingly, the subject of the 3 rd Annual Inter-Faith Roundtable Conference will be:

"Faith, Education & Integration: Learning to Fit In"

It will be held on Saturday 9th June from 9.30am until 4.30pm

In the St.Brigid's Community Hall

Church Street

Blanchardstown

We do hereby cordially invite you to particpate in this very important discussion and give your views on it. If you wish to present a paper on this theme then please contact us at your earliest convenience. We will have speakers from all the major faiths on the topic and academics in the field. We sincerely hope you will honour us by attending.

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Comments (4 of 4)

necessity

by xina

Wed May 09, 2007 19:25

I think Ireland really needs such a debate (I hope atheists are included as they have a type of faith!) - neither racial or religious prejudice, nor unconsidered political correctness is any help in dealing with the complex issues which concern us now.

Who's peace?

by Steve

Thu May 10, 2007 03:57

I have heard Dr?Sheikh?Imam? Shaheed Satardien go on endlessly in the media about the threat of radical muslims and make very vague and bland statements about peace and co-existence but I not heard say much of substance, especially about the Iraq the Global war on Terror and the Ireland's support for the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq and Ireland's material support for troops transport and renditions.

I invite him to make a public statement on troops transport through Shannon to the state terrorism the west is engaging in the Middle East. It might make me believe him more.

http://www.metroeireann.com/index.php?option=com_conten...id=59
Next week: Sheikh Satardien on whether ‘Western civilisation’ is at war with Islam
I'll await him saying something of substance on that....

However, there is no evidence whatsoever that ‘Western civilisation’ is at war with Islam. President Bush’s ill-conceived ‘war on terror’ is a conflict for oil, and the fact that this oil is owned by Muslims is virtually irrelevant. If it were Latvians who owned the oil and wouldn’t play ball with US domestic and foreign policy, American troops would be in downtown Riga as I write.
http://www.metroeireann.com/index.php?option=com_conten...id=59
Oh nnnnnearly but not.

Apparently he was interviewed in May's Garda Review where he critises Irish muslims people who are overally sympathetic to Al Qeada which is fair enough but afaik he does not mention the tyrants Bush, Blair or Bartholomew

Sheikh Satardien is the most trustworthy Muslim leader today

by Michael

Sun May 13, 2007 05:08

I do not think that Sheikh, Imam, Dr, Professor Shaheed Satardien has to make any statements in order for you to believe him.
He is the most trustworthy Muslim leader around today. It is enough that he speaks the truth without any hidden agenda. He has made many statements against Bush, Blair, Saddam, Berlusconi and others. I think he should just go on the way he is, was and has been since I know him as a young anti-apartheid Muslim leader in the seventies.

Buddhism/Activism

by greenpeach

Wed May 30, 2007 01:07

Slightly off topic but any thoughts / advice appreciated re reconciling political activism and Buddhism...
http://stagewhisperer-pfk.blogspot.com/

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3rd Annual Religious Peace Conference

Comments (4 of 4)