October 14, 2009 by Anna 

Διαβάστε στα Ελληνικά

The first Muslim Conference in Athens is a fact. On Tuesday October 6 at the National Research Foundation the conference took place by the title “The Muslim Communities and their Cultural Identity”. The organizers were the Cultural Center of the Iranian Embassy in Athens, the World Forum for Proximity of the Islamic Schools of thought and the Muslim Association of Greece.

The unity of the Muslims was the basic characteristic of this conference. Shias and Sunnis all sat together and discussed basic matters that affect all Muslims of the Western world.

Famous guests honored the event as Ayatollah Taskhiri, Ayatollah Ahtari and professor Tabarayan from Al Zahra University Tehran who traveled from Iran for this event exclusively. From Egypt came Dr. Mohammed Abdelmaksoud Herzullah of Al Azhar University and imam of the Hussein Mosque of Cairo.

From Muftiya of Didymotiho participated the deputy mufti Dr.Yashar Damadoglu, and from Komotini came Mr. Hassan Patchaman and the unofficial mufti of Komotini Mr. Ibrahim Sherif.

The national communities saluted the conference, stating -beside their presence- the basic problems the Muslims face as the lack of mosque and Muslim cemetery. A salutation also addressed professor Vangelis Pissias.

The identity of the Muslim at the non-Muslim country was the central point where all speakers inclined to the fact that the Muslim must be in a brotherhood with his co-religionists, not to let small differences divide them because this way he loses his rights.

The Muslim must respect the laws of the country he lives in and to be dutiful to his obligations in order to be in position to deserve and claim from his society. There is a way to maintain his identity and at the same time to integrate as long as he is a true believer, pursue the unity and participate actively at the Muslim community.

This is the first time that such a conference is organized and in fact, it had a very satisfactory turnout and media coverage. Also, the local authorities expressed their interest to have more educational events as seminars or conferences aiming at the information, education, solving of problems around the life of the Muslims in our country. The Muslim Association of Greece illustrated the necessity of such events as they benefit the society on the whole because the society asks for improvement of its problems, harmonious coexistence between citizens and mutual respect.

The outcome of the conference read Professor Tabarayan and in the end he emphasized the significance of showing the right face of Islam to the world and that Muslims should work towards this way, always in unity.

Read the conference speech by MAG

See the photo gallery 

(over 40 photos)

إقراؤه بالعربي /  Διαβάστε στα Ελληνικά

International Conference

“The Muslim Communities and their Cultural Identity”

National Research Foundation, Athens, Greece

 Tuesday October 6, at 19.00 hours

organized by

Cultural Center of the Iranian Embassy in Athens

“World Forum for Proximity Of Islamic Schools of Thought”

Muslim Association of Greece

Honored guests from Greece and abroad will participate at this first conference of unity of the Muslim world that takes place in Athens.

Subjects of the Conference

Part 1: Definition of the Identity

1. Cultural identity
2. Religious identity
3. Common points and differences between cultural identity & religious identity
4. Stabilizing factors of the cultural identity & religious identity
5. Obstacles of the stability of the cultural identity & religious identity

Part 2: The Muslims living at non Muslim Countries

1. The Muslims’ duties in their residence countries
2. The requests of the Muslims from their residence countries
3. The problems the Muslims face in the non-Muslim countries
4. Integration of the Muslims in the residence countries while maintaining their cultural and religious identity