Polarization and discrimination linked to religion have been increasing in many parts of the world, including on the two shores of the Mediterranean. Against this background, however, seeds of hope have emerged from a number of religious leaders who have called for a new narrative of human fraternity and inclusive citizenship. This report analyzes the opportunities which human fraternity and inclusive citizenship offer for government-religious partnerships aimed at building more inclusive and peaceful societies across both shores of the Mediterranean and puts forward interreligious engagement as a new policy framework that recognizes and amplifies these novel dynamics.
Can the interreligious narrative of human fraternity help to create new inclusive forms of citizenship? How can governments and international organizations better partner with religious leaders and communities to concretely build inclusive societies from the MENA region to Europe?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Cardinal Miguel Ayuso
Fraternity, Citizenship and Interreligious Engagement
Fabio Petito, Fadi Daou, Michael D. Driessen
PART I – ENGAGING RELIGION IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS
1. A Mediterranean Conversation on Human Fraternity and Inclusive Citizenship
1.1 Human Fraternity and Interreligious Engagement,
with Nayla Tabbara, Mohamed Abdel-Salam, André Azoulay, and Jean-Marc Aveline
1.2 Inclusive Citizenship and Religious Social Responsibility,
with Paul Gallagher, Azza Karam, Alberto Melloni, and Miguel Ángel Moratinos
2. Comprehending Religion in Global Affairs
R. Scott Appleby (University of Notre Dame)
PART II – THE VISION OF HUMAN FRATERNITY
3. Social Friendship and Universal Fraternity
Pasquale Ferrara (Italy’s Special Envoy for Libya)
4. Pope Francis’ Strategic Vision of Human Fraternity
Scott M. Thomas (University of Bath)
5. Reclaiming Pluralism in Contemporary Islamic Thought
Mohammed Hashas (LUISS University)
PART III – THE PROSPECT OF INCLUSIVE CITIZENSHIP
6. Overcoming the “Same Rights for All Special Rights for Minorities” Dichotomy
Silvio Ferrari (University of Milan)
7. Pluralism and Diversity in the New Islamic Discourse
Nejia Al-Ourimi (High Institute of Human Sciences of Tunis)
8. Al-Azhar and the Path Towards Inclusive Citizenship in Egypt
Georges Fahmi (Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies)
9. Inclusive Citizenship and the Refugee Challenge
Elie Al-Hindy (Adyan Foundation)