“The religious dimension is a constitutive part of the educational experience. Religion penetrates the heart of the anthropological experience, since it concerns the relationship of each person with God, to collaborate with all men of goodwill for a more humane and fraternal society”. This was stated by Monsignor Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, at the “Convening of Champions” meeting. Ethics Education to Contribute to Global Citizenship and Build Inclusive and Peaceful Societies” which took place in Abu Dhabi from April 23 to 25. The event was promoted, among others, by the Committee for Human Fraternity and UNESCO.
A deep respect for diversity
Monsignor Martinelli has reiterated how the document on human fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayeeb, has emphasized the concept of “interreligious education”, which “is growing in the awareness of peoples and religions”, reports the Fides agency. “In the deepest respect for diversity”, in fact, “religions are called to a shared path in which believers of different confessions learn to know and respect each other, promoting together ethical and spiritual values for the good of humanity”.
The example of Emirati schools
“Interreligious education,” furthermore, implies, first, the recognition that every human being is a religious being, created to be in relationship with God and with others in the search for the common good. An authentic educational experience “must form the religious feeling, that is, the constitutive reference to the transcendent, omnipotent, merciful and creative God, who wants all the faithful to treat each other as brothers.” In this sense, the prelate added, “the public schools that the Apostolic Vicariate directs in the United Arab Emirates want to become a humble contribution to this interreligious education that forms new generations, collaboration and solidarity among all.”
Hope for a world of peace
“Religions have the common task of reminding humanity of the need to deal with the religious and ethical dimensions of life. Without God,” in fact, “the human being becomes inhuman.” “If every authentic educational experience is,” as the Abu Dhabi declaration reads, an act of hope and a path to the future, interfaith education communicates an even greater hope for all humanity: the possibility of creating a “a more fraternal and humane society, where there is tolerance, coexistence, solidarity and social friendship.” “The new generations – concludes Monsignor Martinelli – ask adults to be witnesses that a world of peace is possible”
