European Centre for Art, Culture and Science

Friday June 13 2008 / Citizenship

I HAVE A DREAM… The Middle East in Europe and Europe in the Middle East

With Nilüfer Göle (Professor of Sociology at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes, Paris), Tariq Ramadan (Visiting Professor at the Erasmus University, Rotterdam) and Paul Scheffer (Professor Urban Geographies of Place and Social Interactions, University of Amsterdam). Moderator: Markha Valenta (Researcher VU University, Amsterdam)

Islam is part of Europe and the European cultural heritage, even though it is most widespread in other parts of the world. There are many Europeans today who would describe their identity with good reason as both European and Muslim. Is a new form of European Islam developing or a form of Islamic Europe?

There is also the picture of a Muslim community and a European Community that are retreating behind a rigid version of religion, ideology or uncertainty. How accurate is that picture? And how does it relate to the many cooperation initiatives that neighbourhoods, schools, the cultural sector and mosques and churches are developing? What is the relation of individuals and groups towards a democratic state? Are Europe and the US developing different attitudes towards Islam and Muslims? What is the added value of Islam for Europe? Does Islam represent a strengthening or a weakening of the public space? And what questions would the speakers themselves like to raise about the future of Islam in Europe?

I Have a Dream... is a joint initiative of Felix Meritis and MEXIT and consists of a series of  workshops during the afternoon followed by public lectures in the evening. The total programme will include a wrap-up session and a compilation of essays. This programme is made possible by the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oxfam Novib.

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