The Interfaith Symposium on the Protection of Places of Worship: Community Involvement and Awareness in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim Traditions. Civil society, academic and management perspectives, was held in Madrid on June 19, 2024. Organised by Arco Forum and hosted by the Archbishopric of Madrid at the Conciliar Seminary of Madrid, this symposium brought together religious leaders, academics, and civil society representatives to discuss the significance and security of places of worship within the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions from different perspectives.
The symposium aimed to enhance community engagement and awareness regarding the protection of these places. The objectives included fostering interreligious dialogue, understanding the diverse roles these places play, and addressing the challenges they face concerning security and preservation.
Through presentations, panel discussions and exchanges of preliminary research results, the objective of the symposium was to advance the partners’ understanding and strengthen security frameworks around these sacred sites.
Representatives from diverse perspectives, including academia, civil society, management institutions, law enforcement agencies and religious leaders, participated in panel discussions and presentations. Leiden University, responsible for the research phase of the project, presented the results of the field work conducted so far. In addition, several religious communities participated to share their perspectives and ideas on the security and preservation of worship spaces. The programme included the following lectures and panel discussions:
Keynote Lecture by Prof. Dr. Paul G. Weller. “Some Theses for European States, Societies and Religions and Their Implications for the Security of Places of Worship in Europe”.
Roundtable 1. “Integrated Security Management for Places of Worship: Strategies and Policies” with:
Dr. José María Contreras Mazarío, Professor of State Ecclesiastical Law at the University Pablo de Olavide and collaborator of the Fundación Pluralismo y Convivencia.
Ms. Irene Trebeschi, Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University.
Deputy Inspector Mr. Francisco Manuel Arriaga Rodríguez, Murcia City Council-Municipal Police, Programme of European Projects.
Moderator, Massimo Ronco, Research and International Policy Analyst, and EU Project Manager at Intercultural Dialogue Platform.
Roundtable 2. “Academic and Community Perspectives on the Protection of Places of Worship” with:
Mr. Alfredo Abad, Protestant pastor and President of the Permanent Commission of the Spanish Evangelical Church.
Mr. Arnold Mol, Lecturer and Doctoral Researcher in Islam and Comparative Philosophy at Leiden University Institute for Philosophy and Leiden University Centre for the Study of Religion (LUCSoR).
Mr. Antonio Merino, member of the Community Masorti Bet-el of Madrid.
Moderator, Ms. María del Rosario González Martín, Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at the Complutense University of Madrid. Roundtable 3. “Role of civil society organisations in the protection of places of worship through interfaith collaboration” with:
Dr. Saif El Islam Benabdennour, President of Foro Abraham.
Dr. Uriel Perugia, Secretary General for the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI).
Moderator, Dr. Cenap Aydin, Director of Istituto Tevere.
Prior to the symposium, on Tuesday, June 18, Arco Forum and the Archbishopric of Madrid, represented by the Episcopal Delegate for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Fr. Aitor de la Morena, who is also a dedicated member of the Advisory Board of this project, organised and conducted a guided tour of the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal of the Almudena followed by a reception by the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal José Cobo Cano.
Finally, after the symposium, all partners and advisors were invited to an intercultural and interreligious concert at the Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great, under the topic: Embracing Diversity, Protecting Places of Worship and Advocating for Religious Freedom. The following day, also within the framework of the symposium, the partners of the Protone Project had the opportunity to embarked on a profound intercultural and interreligious journey to Toledo, organised by the Delegation of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations of the Archdiocese of Toledo. Participants had the opportunity to explore the historic heart of Toledo, visiting significant cultural and religious landmarks, including the magnificent Cathedral Primada, the Santa María La Blanca Synagogue, and the Cristo de La Luz Mosque. The day concluded with a period of free time for personal exploration and a return trip to Madrid. This journey eloquently showcased the spirit of unity and diversity inherent in Toledo's rich heritage.
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