Days of understanding and dialogue

 

Over the days, the participants talked about commandments and rules, about practices, songs and prayers and they didn't skirt around controversial issues. They discussed the chances and the limits of the Global Ethic Project and tried to put it into daily practice.

Dilek (the Muslim girl)
 
“I was asked, why Muslim women wear headscarves and why I don't wear one. I liked the way the Christians, who talked with me, showed a lot of interest and were ready to clear out prejudices.

I explained to them that a Muslim woman covers up her erotic features in order that men can get to know her inner character and not simply judge her by her outward beauty. …

After a while, I began to understand the differences between Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed Protestants, and Baptists. Now and again, a certain tension appeared in the Christian group, but I had the impression that they coped with it quite well.”

David (a Jewish boy)
 
“I quickly made friends with three Muslim boys of my own age. We hardly talked about religion but rather about our hobbies. What counted for us was that each one be human, respect the others, and take them for what they are. …

Often I was asked about my customs and their background and I answered according to my opinion. With time, the distance to the Christians became less and after a short time I got on well with some of the Christians, too.”

Judith (a Christian girl)
 
“Thanks to the conversations, many prejudices could be cleared up, prejudices that we Christians held against the Muslims and the Jews. For sure, there are prejudices – we are all influenced by the media. Time and again the bogeyman image of Islam came up.”

Judith and Michael (Christians)
 
“The Global Ethic Project took form among us and showed itself on the human plane – in conversations, while playing, while cooking and eating together. In the course of the weeks, the personal encounters became more and more familiar and relaxed. It was the human level that counted. We feel that we simply were living out the Global Ethic Project – without cramp or force on the personal level.”