In 1997, during a seminary organized by the GAIC (Group for Islamo-Christian
Friendship) the idea of working to inaugurate a “Yearly Week of Christian-Muslim
Encounters" was put forward.
After a preliminary study of the feasibility of the project in 1999, we inaugurated
our first test-week at Evry in the year 2000. In the course of the following
years, 2001, 2002 and 2003, first trial run was expanded to include 40 other
towns where Christians and Muslims participated in a week of exchanges on
various topics. In 7 of these towns, the week of meetings was continued every
year, in 10 the meetings were held two years running, and 12 new towns joined
in the action in 2003.
We hope to contribute to the
mutual respect of our cultural and religious identities, and the overcoming
of prejudices and clichés, which exist in both communities towards
their opposite number.
We wish to modify the way in which our public opinions view both Christians
and Muslims.
Another aim is to create a network of friendly exchanges favouring greater
warmth between our communities and a more convivial environment in general.
Finally, we urge Christians and Muslims to form a partnership, together with
other members of our civil society, to further not only more conviviality
but greater solidarity and a common stand for justice and peace.
The week of Christian Muslim
encounters is open to aIl, believers and non-believers. Christians and Muslims
of all persuasions or none are invited to participate.
The dialogue envisioned is the largest possible one: that of believers respectful
of each-other's creeds and sensitive to the quality of each-other's expressions
of their faith; that of men and women engaged in a fight for justice and peace
within their society.
This yearly week of intensive dialogue can only be a success thanks to the work of Christians and Muslims already actively engaged in exchanges, usually through their affiliation in social, political, or associative groups.
Each local team chooses its own themes and form of presentation: "Open-houses", Lectures and Debates, Round- tables, Personal witnesses, Activities aimed at young people, Convivial meals, Sports and Cultural Events...
Local groups wishing to participate can ask the GAIC for technical help, advice in putting together their concept, in contacting the press; we can furnish them with posters and brochures. Interested persons can also consult our internet.
The GAIC, founded in 1993,
is an Association Loi 1901 and as such a non-profit organization. It is independent
of aIl religious affiliations and is linked to no philosophical or political
movement. Composed of an equal number of Christians and Muslims, its members
work toward a better understanding between their two communities by means
of concrete actions, local meetings, conventions and work-groups of all kinds.
L'initiative
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