European
Project for
Interreligious
Learning

Why a European Project for Interreligious Learning between Christian and Muslim women??

Religion shapes people's identities and conditions relationships. Although religion has been a source of conflict in Europe, it has also inspired people to struggle for greater freedom, human dignity and emancipation. Even in modern Europe's secular societies, religion continues to influence the formation of values, deeply held convictions and life styles.

Traditionally, Europe has seen itself as a Christian continent, obscuring the roles that Judaism and Islam played in European history. The religions of the book have often been hostile to each other, and the memory of old tensions lingers, often fed by ignorance, fear and popular prejudice.

This tension has become particularly strong today in the interactions between the majority Christian/secular societies and the growing communities of Muslims in many European countries. Many of these Muslims, who came as migrants, wish to continue practising their own culture and faith. Mutual suspicions surface around everyday issues, such as food, dress codes, education, language and the secular framework of European societies. These suspicions are further aggravated by global developments, such as the growth of fundamentalism in both Christianity and Islam.

Meanwhile a new generation has come of age. They want to know how 'integration' and a common future will affect their livesl. In order to answer that question, they must learn to perceive ethnicity, religion and culture both as sources of identity and as vehicles for the recognition and respect of differences.

What are EPIL's goals?

EPIL is an educational process created to train students to understand and manage relitious diversity in order to build equitable and peaceful communities. It focuses on Christian-Muslim relations and on the role of women in creating a culture of peace.

This project aims to:

• show how Islam and Cristianity are "systems of being in the world"
• explore the nature of religious freedom in the secular and democratic context of European societies
• build awareness of the historical role of Islam in Europe and the way memories shape today's relationships in everyday life
• analyse conditions that may lead to a misuse of religion for non-religious purposes and identify ways to avoid it
• develop a gender perspective, keeping the viewpoint and contributions of women in focus
• harness the potential of religion to create an everyday culture of peace and social harmony, and explore the role of women in this process
• train students in proven methods of dialogue, communication and conflict mediation

The project is a 'roaming college', and takes place in five locations: Zurich, Vienna, Sarajewo, Cologne and Beirut.

version

PROSPEKT AUF DEUTSCH

Order the publication, "In The Mirror Of Your Eyes," and share the EPIL experience through the words of the EPIL Team, students, and Professors from five countries in Europe and the Middle East.
See the Table of Contents.

Last updated 3 December 2009