JEDDAH — Islamic and European perspectives on freedom of expression and human rights were discussed during the opening session of a two-day “Bridging Cultures Forum” organized by the German Consulate General in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Al-Makkiyah Al-Madaniyah Institute here Saturday. Vefahan Ocak, Director General of Cabinet and Chief Adviser to the OIC Secretary-General, and German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller welcomed scholars and inter-faith dialogue experts from both regions who were invited to identify common ties and explore the richness and diversity of their intellectual histories. Speakers included Founder of Al-Makkiyah Al-Madaniyah Institute Sami Angawi, Head of the Division for Cultural and Media Relations with the Maghreb, Near and Middle East of the German Federal Foreign Office Klaus D. Streicher, Professor of Islamic Studies and Chair of the Council on Middle East Studies at Yale University Frank Griffel and Chief Broadcaster and Columnist Samar Fatany. “The purpose of this forum is to discuss subjects of contemporary relevance such as human rights and freedom of expression that are particularly dear to the OIC, an organization that is actively pursuing a policy of moderation, modernization and promotion of religious coexistence,” said Ocak. Grateful to the OIC's role and availability in granting an ideal philosophical roof for the forum, Haller and Streicher said the German government attaches great importance to the promotion of intercultural dialogue, both at home and abroad. Streicher said: “Today, 4 million Muslims, 5 percent of Germany's total population from around 50 nations, live in Germany forming its second largest religious group. They enjoy equal rights and participate in the country's political, economic and cultural life. We are proud to be a multicultural society and we work to realize a peaceful coexistence between our society's various segments. This is evident by major government initiatives such as the German Islam Conference whose aim is to improve dialogue between the state and Muslims in Germany favoring their social integration.” He added: “After almost 18 years of examination by political and cultural academics we can say that Huntington's proclaimed 'clash of civilizations' has not come true in the way he described it. However, we cannot fail to notice that his theory can be the fuel for upcoming conflicts between major states. It is important to emphasize that cultural conflicts are being played out not by entire societies but individual groups or parties. An important task for all of us in the coming years and decades will be to work on a culture of mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue.” All speakers agreed on the necessity of promoting a universal culture based on the acknowledgment of basic values and principles that we all share as human beings. A culture that should at the same time respect and encourage cultural diversity and that, according to Dr. Sami Angawi, can be only achieved through the tool of balance — Al-Mizan. The concept of a natural law that is common to all humans was also analyzed by Professor of Islamic Studies at Yale University Frank Griffel. Griffel retraced the large Western literature on natural law theories and argued that something similar can be also found in Islam although the references are much less. “In the Western tradition, natural law is understood as a system of universal law that applies to all humans and is called natural because humans know this law instinctively. Natural law is present in every human and is common to all people while human law varies between people. The most quoted natural law appears in the Bible: ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you'. In the West natural law has pre-Christian origins but also a strong tradition within Christianity and modern-contemporary Western societies that refer to it as human rights,” said Griffel. “Islamic law does not speak about natural law the way the European law tradition does. However the Qur'an mentions the way God created mankind and uses the Arabic word 'fitra' in order to refer to the natural disposition of humans and calls 'hanif' the man who follows this original disposition. Like Abraham, this man can be of any monotheistic religion,” he added. Broadcaster and Columnist Samar Fatany closed the session focusing her intervention on the risks related to the abuse of freedom of speech and reminding the audience that “hate propaganda” caused major genocides in Europe. “The German experience of the holocaust contradicts those who believe in an uncontrolled use of the freedom of expression. The so-called 'hate speech,' meaning speech that vilifies a person or a group on the basis of such characteristics as color, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race or religion, favors harmful social movements. Incitement of popular hatred is today punishable in many European countries but not in the United States that doesn't allow any limitation to one's freedom of speech,” she concluded.
