Concret steps in the Muslim-Catholic interreligious dialogue

In the framework of cooperation for the Muslim-Catholic interreligious dialogue, after organizing several seminars and joint meetings between the institutions of religious communities and academic, on Wednesday, on 25 November 2015 was held a visit of the academic staff of the Department of Islamic Studies in Bedër University and third year students of the department at the Catholic Theological High School ( Ndërdioqezian seminar) in Shkodra.

On top of this delegation was the Rector of the Bedër University Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Gjana, who was accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Prof. Dr. Ajhan Tekinesh, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies Dr. Atakan Derelioğlu, Director of Culture and Interreligious Dialogue MCA Dr. Genti Kruja, Director of Public Relations at Bedër University Mr. Agron Hoxha, lectures Mr. Erlis Çela, Mr. Adil Kutlu, Veton Tulla and Dr. Xhemal Alsafarti.

The academic staff of Bedër University was welcomed in the conference room of the institution, by the head of the “Ndërdioqezian seminar” Dom Leonardo Falco, Director of the “Ndërdioqezian seminar” Father Mario Imperatori, the academic staff of the school and it’s students.

During the first part of the meeting the Director of the school, Father Mario Imperatori held an opening speech, welcoming the participants, who came for the first time in this institution, considering very important this cooperation in the academic field, especially for students of theology.

While Prof. Gjana emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination of positions on issues of common importance for society, such as respect for human rights, freedom of religion, the family, abortion, education of youth with moral values ​​and religious mutual coexistence in harmony among believers of different faiths should be respected and recognized each in their own beliefs.

Both sides praised the visit as very important and contributes to the strengthening of dialogue between religious communities in Albania.

Later, students from both institutions, presented their relevant educational programs focused on the mission and the importance that bears the formation of theologians in Albania. During the conversation the students from both sides had the opportunity to exchange opinions and discuss on various topics of common interest.

After the presentation the students have exchanged questions and answers to each other on the curriculum and other topics. Students of Islamic sciences at the Bedër University presented at the same time the "global university initiative against extremism".

After common lunch, the students visited the facilities of the Islamic and Catholic worship in the city of Shkodra, Museum of Communism Crimes and Seminar Ndërdioqezian’s library.

In his welcome at the Ebu Bekër mosque, Arben Halluni representative of Shkodra Muftiate among others stressed that, your common visit of students, faculty of Islamic theology and the Catholic one, comes at the right moment, when the world today needs many messages of peace and love, harmony and coexistence and you are just in this harmony town, in Shkodra, where the mosque, the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church are so close to each other.

During this visit, the academic staff of both parties held a meeting, where they expressed their readiness to expand cooperation in the field of interfaith dialogue as mutual seminars, conferences, panels and publications on common themes.