1037

Europe is currently witnessing an ever-increasing polarisation of society, security, politics and religion – the result of this is a a greater than ever need for cultural and religious understanding both across the continent and beyond.

This requires more responsibility and leadership from religious leaders, of all religions, to build new bridges in order to strengthen social cohesion through dialogue across religious boundaries.

The IFFSE regards this as our number one obligation – to renew in Europe a culture of respect and appreciation of religious identities and traditions and to facilitate moderate practices of religion which complies with laws, norms and values. Through a new form of interfaith dialogue, IFFSE aims to foster moderate religious practices, counterattack the abuse of religion, safeguard religious freedoms and mobilise religious leaders to play an active role in improving the security of their communities.

1093
“If there is one word that we should never tire of repeating, it is this: dialogue. We are called to promote a culture of dialogue by every possible means and thus to rebuild the fabric of society.”  Pope Francis
1107
“A nation should respect its faiths, and faiths should respect the nation. That is the only way we will achieve integrated diversity and the dignity of difference, in which we see our differences as contributions that we bring to the common good.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
1099
“We do not need more words; we need more action. And so our interfaith discussions are focused on producing real partnerships with real and tangible benefits for humanity.“ Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League  
988
The task of IFFSE has been inspired by the contribution that Christians, Jews and Muslims have been able to contribute towards the blossoming of European culture over past centuries, but also reflect themselves in the reality of our times with the intellectual and so...