"POWERFUL GOD, VIOLENT GOD ? Violence, justice and peace in the Old Testament" by Albert de Pury

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

Men's vision in God, war or peace, has much evolved during the centuries.

At the heart of the Old Testament- particularly in the Torah (the Pentateuch), these visions share two main streams : the Deuteronomy current and the current of the Priests, to lend from exegetic criticism. In the first book God appears warlike, exclusive, conquering, whereas the second offers us a more pacific vision, constructive and universal.

Albert de Pury, Professor of theology at the Geneva Faculty, gives a study on how historical and political contexts have oriented and fashioned these texts, which are sacred today, and considered as revealed Words of God by Jews and Christians around the world.

+ Read more

The Mutual Enrichment of Judaism and Islam : the Testimony of History

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

It is often thought that Jews and Moslems knew a perpetual antagonism. One could be tempted to assimilate the history of these two cultures and religions to the situation we know today in Israel-Palestine or elsewhere.

However, there are a lot of common points. Within the framework of the First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, the Elijah Interfaith Institute of Jerusalem, drew up us a short panorama of the mutual enrichment of Islam and Judaism during centuries. This week we will be interested more particularly in the historical shutter.

+ Read more

The Mutual Enrichment of Judaism and Islam: The Dignity of the Human Person – A Common Ground Value

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

To follow upon the article of last week, who treated of mutual enrichment of Islam and Judaism through the testimony of history, the Elijah Institute leans this week on a fundamental common value of the two religions: human dignity.

Far from stereotypes and violence, we immerse ourselves in the deeply humanistic and common roots of Islam and Judaism.

+ Read more

Opening Speech of Alain Michel - First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

For the first time in history, more than 100 Imams and Rabbis, surrounded by 70 personalities from all over the world, met, from January 3 to 6, 2005, under the high patronage of His Majesty Albert II and His Majesty Mohammed VI in order to de-legitimise all forms of violence committed in the name of God or of any religious principle. Furthermore the representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities from 34 countries, in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and America affirmed their determination to develop dialogues and co-operation between Islam and Judaism.

Here in integrality the opening speech of Alain Michel, the Founder of  the "Hommes de Parole" Foundation .

+ Read more

Opening Presentation - Chief Rabbi Bakshi Doron

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

For the first time in history, more than 100 Imams and Rabbis, surrounded by 70 personalities from all over the world, met, from January 3 to 6, 2005, under the high patronage of His Majesty Albert II and His Majesty Mohammed VI in order to de-legitimise all forms of violence committed in the name of God or of any religious principle. Furthermore the representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities from 34 countries, in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and America affirmed their determination to develop dialogues and co-operation between Islam and Judaism.

Here in its entirety the opening speech of Eliyahu Bakshi Doron. Sepharadic Chief Rabbi of Israel (from 1993 to 2003), he is still one of the most influential and respected Rabbis in Israel and in the whole Jewish world.

+ Read more

First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace - Opening Presentation from His Majesty the King Mohammed VI

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

His Majesty Mohammed VI, king of Morocco and Commander of the Faithful, is one of the two Patrons of the First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace in partnership with Its Majesty the King Albert II.

Here is in its entirety the opening speech of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI read by his Minister for Habous and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Taoufiq .

+ Read more

One God, One Prayer by Rivon Krigyer

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

Following the First World congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, many participants have attested their immense enthusiasm that this historical and unhoped-for meeting finally took place.

The experiences they felt were enriching, and sometimes surprised them, in any case, persuaded them that the work should continue, in order to deepen their links, their knowledge and the collaboration between the two communities.

Rivon Krygier is the rabbi of the Adath Shalom community in Paris. Rabbi Krygier attended to the Congress in Brussels.

His testimony, published in the February number of the magazine Arche, was both touching, but also very representative of what we had experience during those four days.

+ Read more

Opening Speech - Speech of Chief Rabbi Sirat

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

For the first time in history, more than 100 Imams and Rabbis, surrounded by 70 personalities from all over the world, met, from January 3 to 6, 2005, under the high patronage of His Majesty Albert II and His Majesty Mohammed VI in order to de-legitimise all forms of violence committed in the name of God or of any religious principle.
Furthermore the representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities from 34 countries, in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and America affirmed their determination to develop dialogues and co-operation between Islam and Judaism.

Here in its entirety the opening speech of Chief Rabbi René-Samuel Sirat.
Chief Rabbi René-Samuel Sirat, born in 1931, was Chief Rabbi of France between 1981 and 1988. He’s now Director-Founder of the Unesco Chair "Reciprocal Knowledge of the religions of the Book and teaching of Peace" and President-Founder of the Rachi European University Institute of Troyes.

+ Read more

Opening Session - Speech of Sheikh Talal Sedir

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

Sheikh Talal Sedir used to be minister for the religious affairs of the Palestinian Authority during many years. After the death of Yasser Arafat he was fully devoted to his duty of Imam of Hebron and kept on working actively to the interfaith dialogue in the Holy Land.

Sheikh Sedir took part into the First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace (Brussels, January 3 to 6, 2005) gathering more than 100 Imams and Rabbis, surrounded by 70 personalities from all over the world, under the high patronage of His Majesty Albert II and His Majesty Mohammed VI in order to de-legitimise all forms of violence committed in the name of God or of any religious principle. The representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities from 34 countries, in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and America affirmed their determination to develop dialogues and co-operation between Islam and Judaism.

Here in its entirety the opening speech of Sheikh Talal Sedir.

+ Read more

Opening Session - Speech of Chief Rabbi Michael Melchior - First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace

Published on 2007-12-27 17:35:15

Here in its entirety the opening speech of Chief Rabbi Michael Melchior who attended to the First World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace (Brussels, January 3 to 6, 2005).

Chief Rabbi Michael Melchior, born in 1954 in Norway was successively, Rabbi and educator of a Jerusalem congregation, International Director of the Elie Weisel Foundation, Chief Rabbi of Norway, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and  Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, and Sport in Ariel Sharon’s government.

+ Read more