Michael F Andrews. Pic: P K Niaz / The Peninsula
DOHA: The concept of religious pluralism and constructive dialogue on co-existence are key in addressing the growing xenophobic hatred and right-wing extremism in Europe, says Dr Michael F Andrews, an expert who works as Director of the Loyola University’s John Felice Rome Centre.
“Even in the United States, right-wing elements are creating an atmosphere of fear. Even though this is very worrisome, I don’t think racial hatred will prevail in a democratic society,” Dr Andrews told The Peninsula.
He said Europe has always come up with innovations and changes, and stressed the need for dialogue while listening carefully to the other side to resolve differences.
In a changing world with a variety of religions and races, the establishment of positive relationships between religions and its followers should be maintained. In order to live in a world free of violence and extremism, we need to review the interaction of religions on human rights, he said.
Loyola University Rome Centre is hosting Students from the US, Africa, Asia, South America and other regions reflecting the diversity of our world. Students who enroll for undergraduate and graduate courses at the Rome Centre are getting the opportunity to meet and work with refugees, migrants and displaced people. Rome is not a museum, Rome is at the forefront of so much of what is happening in terms of social and economical changes in the European Union and dialogue with Africa and Middle East, said Dr Andrews.
He praised Qatar for hosting the Interfaith Conference every year, saying that it was a great opportunity to listen to each other. Terming his maiden visit to Doha to take part in the Interfaith conference as tremendous, Dr Andrews also lauded the hospitality provided by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID).
“My experience is that these conferences offer opportunity for scholars and also for government leaders and non-profit organisations to come together to discuss some of the issues of refugees and those people who have no voice. When I come to attend conferences like this, I try to address the people and ask them to listen to those who have no voice,” he said.
According to Dr Andrews, the refugee issue is not a European problem. It is a world- wide crisis we need to address. It is also a problem for the countries where the refugees flee from. It is not about simply welcoming refugees and trying to give them a new life. One of the biggest questions we have to find answer to is how do we begin to engage the issues that have caused the refugee crisis in the first place, said Andrews.
He added: “Refugee issues are increasing day by day. It is not the issues of housing, education or religious pluralism. The question is how we begin to engage with human rights issues. Many countries have lack of an established human rights system or different types of human rights systems for different people that have created the refugee crisis”.
