4th International conference

“Islamic Religious Education in Secular Societies”

05-07 October, 2012

Kiev, Ukraine

Resolution

The 4th International conference on “Islamic Religious Education in Secular Societies” tok place in Kiev. Its aim was to get to know the different concepts and to find approaches of religious Education of the very different states of Europe and of course to find impulses for the further development of educational theories of Islam and through this we can channel the experiences of our colleagues.

Throughout this conference it became very clear that we have to know the reality of the very different patterns of Western and Eastern Europe. All patterns of the secular states and societies have their own reason of their context. It is also another reality, that these patterns of the secular states may not answer the social reality of its own society.

On the other hand we can observe a development which promises a kind of hope, that these states may find a new position towards Islamic religion and societies. Out of this process many more patterns of the secular states or societies may arise, which will more likely reflect the reality of their own societies and still are a reason of their own context.

Another very interesting result of the academic contribution is that these states cannot according to its foundations, bases and rules, ignore the religious interests of its citizens and that religious communities would not accept leave themselves behind. Within this process we can observe that the success for democracy and admition of plurality in these societies and the democratization in politics, society and economical structures do have a direct connection with the state structures and makes the reform possible in the future.

This fact binds the state and religious communities to reflect their own whether they are able to create a good dialogue between state and community or not.

For these dialogues different basics requirements are necessary:

-) the state has to see the religion as a peace potential within society and again reflect their needs within the state

-) on the other hand, the religion have to react to the needs of the citizens and take responsibility for their community.

Of course, the actual situation in the post soviet states should be taken in consideration. No unrealistic steps should be enforced on them, and they should not be pushed to follow uncalculated procedures.

However, this conference also made clear that besides the above mentioned facts, not only the post soviet states, but also the further european countries are having the development of an Islamic education, which appeals the challenges of today’s young society. The new established universities in the different countries cope with these questions of how to achieve these aims.

Taking in consideration that Islam is against terrorism, a principal contributor in the dialogue among civilizations,  is not a barrier for good cooperation and integration in the different societies, is a way to preserve the Islamic habits and identity and should not be taken a way to reach selfish targets, a way to improve the high common humanitarian values and to fight harming practices such as alcoholic, drug and child abuse; The participants also showed us that the state might interfere and question the integration of Muslims and the establishment of these new institutions, from a security point of view. This may lead to a wrong approach which could result in a large disappointment. The state has a role in coordinating the different interests of the involved parties and institutions without imposing decision on them or trying to control them.

This conference wants to show the meaning of citizenship (in relation to plurality, democracy and education) within the process of establishment of new curricula and warns of the blindfold imitation of the curricula and the theological positions from certain Islamic countries.

It also underlines the importance of avoiding playing with the Islamic rules to come up with a new hygiene doctrine called also “Islam” with which Muslims will not recognize and will not have any binding with it. In compliance with this context we like to draw attention to the successful experience of the Islamic University in Ukraine which established a successful combination among Islamic teaching, Ukrainian citizenship and civil laws.

We would like to say a big thank to the Islamic University and the Dragomanov University in Kiev, Miss Windisch, Iryna and Aisha for making this conference such a big success. This firm and passionate commitment made this conference so extra ordinary.

Last but not least I want to thank you for your interesting participation and beneficial contributions.