Most European countries are influenced by Christianity in terms of the religious values that form the basis of their culture. Islam has similarly influenced cultures; creating a different set of values. Both cultural frameworks influence the Muslim community within Europe - especially those individuals who were born and raised in a Christian-influenced society. Disintegration and conflicts can be the result of insufficient intercultural communication between these alienated subcultures.
Promoting the dialogue between the growing Muslim community in Europe and Christian-influenced Europeans is one of the major objectives of EEE-YFU. With this project, EEE-YFU aims at applying the intercultural experiences, which are gained through educational exchange programmes, as well as tools of intercultural communication on the topic "Islam in Europe". Therefore, EEE-YFU created a series of seminars to enhance mutual, inter-religious and intercultural learning and understanding by inspiring young Europeans from different ethical backgrounds to act as a multiplier in their home countries.
IRS 2003 on "Islam in Europe" In October 2003, 21 young people came to Waide, Estonia to participate in the IRS "Islam in Europe? A dialogue between cultures". The objective of the seminar was to create a broader view on European politics and the influence of religion and cultural heritage among the participants. Another aim was to make the participants conscious of their own potential as multipliers in activating other young people in this intercultural dialogue.
The participants had differing organisational background. Some came from YFU and others from muslim youth organisations around Europe. Together they explored stereotypes of religion and cultural background, learned more about the differences and commonalities, and saw the diversity within the broader Islamic and Christian cultures.
Study Session as a follow-up Just the like IRS, also the Study session that took place in December 2003 was facilitated in cooperation with our partner organisation
FEMYSO (Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations). 29 participants from all over Europe came together in Strasbourg to discuss various aspects of the topic "Islam in Europe? A dialogue between cultures". Parts of the program included a visit to the Mosque in Strasbourg and a round table discussion with community leaders.
