Islam and the West: Annual Report on the State of Dialogue

<strong>Islam</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>: <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on <strong>the</strong> State of Dialogue
82
Education <strong>and</strong> Intercultural Underst<strong>and</strong>ing
explore sensitive issues such as identity,
shame <strong>and</strong> forgiveness. Its formula of carefully
presenting differing traditions in juxtaposition,
designed to spark dialogue, is emulated in a
wide variety of cities, including Italy, Spain,
France <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States.
“We must truly believe in <strong>the</strong>
boundless potential of young
people, respect <strong>the</strong>ir talents,
creativity, perspectives, <strong>and</strong>
backgrounds, as well as treat
<strong>the</strong>m as partners <strong>and</strong>
collaborators.”
Sheikha Hessa Al Khalifa
Popular music has a similar potential. Through
his music <strong>and</strong> public engagement, Bono, lead
singer of <strong>the</strong> Irish b<strong>and</strong> U2, has had more
impact than any popular performer in emphasizing
ahumanunitythattranscendsparticularreligious
<strong>and</strong> cultural traditions. At a National Prayer
Breakfast in Washington, DC in January 2006,
for example, he suggested that “all of us here –
Muslims, Jews, Christians – all are searching
our souls for how to better serve our family,
our community, our nation, our God.”
Salman Ahmed, leader of South Asia’s most
popular rock b<strong>and</strong> Junoon, also serves as a
UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, <strong>and</strong>
epitomizes both <strong>the</strong> desire <strong>and</strong> potential to
blend artistic <strong>and</strong> diplomatic endeavours. “I’m
highlighting <strong>the</strong> richness of Muslim music <strong>and</strong>
poetry, both traditional <strong>and</strong> contemporary,” he
told an interviewer in 2007.
Last but by no means least, sports have potential
to advance dialogue <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing at <strong>the</strong>
intersection of <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Muslim world,
<strong>and</strong> more globally. Like music, sports has a
universal dimension that can transcend religious
<strong>and</strong> cultural boundaries – <strong>and</strong> one that engages
<strong>the</strong> passion of youth. A first sign of efforts to
capitalize on this potential was a meeting of
religious leaders focused on intercultural harmony
at <strong>the</strong> July 2004 A<strong>the</strong>ns Olympics. The 18 th FIFA
World Cup, held in Germany in July 2006, saw
similar efforts. Against <strong>the</strong> backdrop of increasing
cultural diversity in Europe, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> growth of
<strong>the</strong> Muslim minority in particular, Mondialogo,
aUNESCO<strong>and</strong>Daimlerinitiative,organized
events <strong>and</strong> an interactive website that aimed
to translate good will around <strong>the</strong> championships
into more lasting underst<strong>and</strong>ing, “a special
occasion for different cultures to get know
each o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>and</strong> exchange views <strong>and</strong> ideas.”
There are close links between media, popular
culture, <strong>and</strong> dialogue efforts. The media
magnify <strong>the</strong> impact of popular culture by
covering television, film, <strong>and</strong> sports stars. And
media coverage, in turn, gives celebrities an
opportunity to bring causes including
intercultural underst<strong>and</strong>ing to <strong>the</strong> attention of
awiderglobalpublic.Prestigiousawardsare
ano<strong>the</strong>r way to recognize contributions to
dialogue <strong>and</strong> harness <strong>the</strong> power of <strong>the</strong> media.
The Nobel Peace Prize is, of course, <strong>the</strong> most
well-known example, but <strong>the</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>rs as
well. In 2006 <strong>and</strong> 2007, for example, <strong>the</strong>
World Economic Forum presented awards to
Muhammad Ali <strong>and</strong> to Prince Charles to
honour <strong>the</strong>ir contributions to Muslim-<strong>West</strong>
dialogue. O<strong>the</strong>r organizations including
Search for Common Ground, <strong>the</strong>Niwano
Foundation, <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong>Appeal of Conscience
Foundation have devoted special efforts to
honouring <strong>the</strong> work of dialogue <strong>and</strong> its heroes.
Exchanges <strong>and</strong> Youth Programmes
Ultimately, intercultural underst<strong>and</strong>ing is fostered
most directly through person-to-person exchanges.