Jun 2008 - OPEC

Jose Hidalgo
In his remarks, Häupl stressed that the inauguration
of the square and the commemoration of “this great son
of our city” and his work “is a symbol that has a significance
that goes far beyond our gratitude to the man
Muhammad Asad.”
He stated: “It is an important signal for the integration,
openness and cultural diversity of our city. These
are virtues we can rightly be proud of and stand for internationally.
Living together in peace — that was one of
Asad’s most important messages. And it is a message
we respect.
“The living together of people of different religious
and cultural backgrounds in Vienna is exemplary. The
commemoration of Muhammad Asad has truly enriched
our city,” he added.
Another special guest, Anas Shakfeh, President of the
Islamic Community of Austria, said the Islamic Community
of Austria made its proposal to name a square after
Muhammad Asad especially to honour Asad as a philosopher
and builder of bridges.
He said Vienna, as the open metropolis it is, accepted
the proposal, underlining that this was a great honour for
the Muslim community of the city. He added: “In Vienna,
Muslims can be Muslims, Europeans, Austrians and
Viennese citizens … all at once.”
The representative of Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia,
Dr Fahad Samari, said he considered the decision for the
naming of the square an important step towards, “showing
the world the colourful face of Vienna,” adding: “The
Arab people appreciate this step and send a respectful
greeting to the Austrian people.”
Later, at an evening panel discussion on ‘Europeans
and Islam — between fascination and rejection’, Asad’s
son, a cultural anthropologist and university professor,
joined Dr Murad Hoffmann (former German ambassador,
and author), Prof Rüdiger Lohlker (professor of Islamic
Studies at the University of Vienna), Dr Alfred Noll (lawyer,
sociologist, university lecturer for public law), and Amena
Shakir (expert on Islamic studies and political science)
to discuss developments related to Islam in Europe.
The talks dealt with a number of questions, including
how Europe has interacted with Muslim countries over
the centuries; which image of Islam has been prevalent
in Europe in the course of history; and how Islam and
Muslims are perceived in Europe today.
The panellists also looked at what today’s fascination
of Islamic culture and religion is, in particular for
Europeans; and why the conversion of Leopold Weiss
to Muhammad Asad from Judaism to Islam attracted so
much attention, even to this day.
In September, the doors are due to open to the first
international Islamic comprehensive school in Austria.
It will carry the name of ‘International School Centre —
Muhammad Asad’.
The project, which will comprise a primary and secondary
school, has been established for the benefit of
the whole Islamic community — and, it has been stipulated,
should also belong to the community.
Above: Part of the documentary
film, ‘Muhammad Asad —
The Lion’s Journey’, was shot
in Pakistan where Asad travelled
extensively. In 1947, he
was appointed Undersecretary of
State for Near Eastern Affairs and
became the country’s Permanent
Representative to the United
Nations in 1952.
OPEC bulletin 6/08
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