Interfaith event in response to attacks

On Sunday, October 25, an interfaith and interconvictional event took place at the Esplanade des religions et des cultures in Bussy-Saint-Georges, Seine-et-Marne, two days after a series of racist attacks in Trappes and La Verrière, Yvelines. The event aimed to address how to reduce hatred and prevent religious or cultural differences from becoming motives for division, as well as how to transform declarations of intent into concrete commitments.

Event organized by multiple groups

The event was organized by the Esplanade des religions et des cultures, the Coordination interconvictionnelle du Grand Paris (CINPA-Osons la fraternité), and partner associations including the Plateforme de Paris. It brought together about forty participants from different religious traditions and civil society, divided into nine workshops to generate forty ideas capable of becoming actions for peace and fraternity.

Themes and proposed ideas

Themes discussed included ecology, solidarity, migrations, social justice, citizen engagement, education, digital ethics, the future of interreligious dialogue, spirituality, and conflict prevention. Proposed ideas included meals between families of different convictions, training in mutual listening, guided visits to places of worship, ecological actions, blood donation campaigns, solidarity initiatives, and a better understanding of religious facts. These proposals are not yet launched projects and require further development, support from partners, and realization.

Workshop on interfaith communication

One of the workshops focused on how to engage in conversation with individuals who do not share one's religion or convictions. Participants discussed fears of expressing oneself poorly, unintentionally hurting others, or not knowing how to respond. Trust was emphasized as arising from ordinary experiences such as sharing a meal, discovering a religious festival, walking together, or welcoming a family. Programs such as "Dîners du vivre ensemble" and "Découvrir Ramadan" were highlighted as examples of this approach.

Visit to places of worship

After a shared lunch, participants visited various places of worship in Bussy-Saint-Georges, including the Notre-Dame du Val church, the Chinese Buddhist Fo Guang Shan temple, the Laotian Wat Velouvanaram pagoda, the Islamic center, and the Hindu mandir. Each location provided presentations and discussions. At the Fo Guang Shan temple, a photographic exhibition discussed humanist Buddhism, education, and compassion.

Symbolic actions and closing ceremony

Participants also planted an olive tree at the Jardin du partage des savoirs in the presence of municipal representatives and observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of hatred, violence, and wars. The event concluded with an interspiritual celebration at the Fo Guang Shan temple, bringing together Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, and Hindu voices. Readings, songs, meditations, and speeches centered around the themes of memory, fraternity, and hope.

Call for vigilance and solidarity

Laurent Grzybowski, president of CINPA-Osons la fraternité, stated that dialogue must be more than a courtesy between religious representatives and that "the artisans of dialogue must become a force of vigilance and solidarity." He emphasized the need to reject amalgamations and to speak out when a community is attacked, even if one does not share its faith.

Long-term goals and evaluation

Philippe Merlin, an active member of the Esplanade des religions et des cultures, noted that the forty ideas formulated during the event remain a work base and require further development, mobilization of residents, and measurement of actual achievements. He emphasized that the real assessment of the event will be made in the months following October 25, as the focus shifts from merely showing that different religions can meet without confrontation to contributing to a more just and fraternal society.

Inspiration from past interfaith efforts

The spirit of the historic 1986 Assisi meeting, which aimed to foster peace through dialogue, continues to inspire new forms of fraternity. The olive tree planted in Bussy-Saint-Georges symbolizes the ongoing commitment to building a more just and fraternal society.