In 2001 the Republic of Macedonia faced an armed conflict. The
inter-ethnic component was always highlighted during the conflict,
while inter-religious relations were not that evident, though were
used to stir up the conflict (attacks on churches/mosques, etc.).
Several
religious temples were destroyed during the conflict. Because of the
lack of communication between the religious communities and their
leaders they have not been able to stand together and condemn these
destructions.
Attempts were made to urge the religious leaders to make a joint
appeal for peace (DCA partners in Macedonia, MCIC were involved in
this activity), but several months had to pass to come to a mutually
acceptable solution.
On the other hand, during the conflict, some antagonistic statements
made by the members of the religious communities could have
deteriorated the conflict. The lack of knowledge about the religion
of the other, the deficiency of contacts among the religious
communities (their clergy) as well as the prejudices are often a
reason for this type of conduct and reactions and could usually be
more influential for the general public.
Some isolated activities, such as the Inter-religious Conference in
May 2002, staged in Skopje, showed how little they know of each
other, but also provided examples of how these relations may
improve. The exchange lectures by the Deans of theology faculties
(both the Orthodox and the Islamic one), which happened for the
first time was an inspirational attempt to find an appropriate model
for deepening the contacts and the cooperation among the different
religious communities.
Following this positive example of the exchange lectures between the
deans of the two theology faculties, as well as identifying the need
for strengthening the knowledge about the other religions among the
students of the Orthodox and Islamic Faculties, MCIC in cooperation
with the religious communities has developed the Bridging religions
in Macedonia programme. The choice to work with the lower level of
religious hierarchy is made because we think that students as future
priests should learn how to understand and communicate with the
other religions, and they should be able to transfer this knowledge
to their believers. The programme is directed to the future and the
methodology should provide models and examples of basic
communication and mutual understanding. |