The final European conference of the InterMu-Se project concludes this Wednesday
The final international conference of the European InterMu-Se project, held today at UCP-Braga, was attended by several experts and representatives of European organizations working to promote interreligious and interfaith dialogue.
Among the participants was Loredana Bouquard, European projects coordinator for the French organization Coexister, an interfaith youth movement that promotes coexistence among people of different religious beliefs and convictions.
She warned of the rise in religious hatred and discrimination in several countries, particularly between Muslims and Jews, following the massacre on October 7, 2023.
“It is very important that we be able to engage in dialogue, understand one another, and build a lasting peace together,” said Loredana Bouquard, highlighting the role of young people in promoting social cohesion.
For her part, Christine Taieb, president of the French Jewish-Muslim Friendship Association (AJMF), while acknowledging that relations between Jews and Muslims have become more strained since October 7, expressed optimism about the impact of events such as the one held in Braga.
“These initiatives remain essential and necessary. We have an increasing number of supporters who recognize the importance of this work for social cohesion,” he said.
The association leader also emphasized that interfaith dialogue goes beyond the religious sphere and plays a central role in building more inclusive societies.
Laurent Grzybowski, president of CINPA—a coalition comprising some fifteen interfaith associations in the Paris region—also emphasized the need to strengthen dialogue at the European level.
According to the official, European cooperation is essential for addressing common challenges.
“Together we are stronger. This is a struggle that needs to be expanded to the European level,” he said.
The conference also featured Salar Abbasi, a professor at the UCP Law School in Lisbon, who is of Iranian origin and also a Portuguese citizen. He highlighted the role of universities as ideal venues for fostering critical debate among different religious traditions and schools of thought.
The professor argued for the need to analyze the ideological and political dimensions associated with religions, with a view to improving relations between communities.
“We need to identify fundamental principles, discuss them together, and find common ground. People of different religions, atheists, and non-believers must come together and engage in dialogue. To build a better world, we need to walk together toward peace,” he said.
