Prejudices against Muslims - and the spread of stereotypes of Muslim beliefs have been developing in the west at a frightening rate in the last decade. An anti-Islam rhetoric now seems in many ways to be replacing a critical normality, required in any fruitful debate in a civilized society. Islam is now a victim of the principal Western expression of bigotry against "the other". This negative discourse has not only found its way in all levels of the Western societies but has resulted in the negation of inter-religious living through an accelerating anti-Islam political discourse.
Switzerland is a sad example. In 2007, a group of right wing politicians from the Swiss People's Party and the Federal Democratic Union launched a popular initiative to ban the minarets. In a November 2009 referendum, a constitutional amendment banning the construction of new minarets was approved by 57.5% of the voters.
In response to such development, COJEP International, EMISCO, OIC, ISESCO, Council of Europe DG4, the University of Hacettepe and some other partners took the initiative to challenge this dangerous trend by launching a pan-European photo competition to find the most beautiful minaret. An eminent jury of architects, scholars and NGO representatives selected the minaret of Madni Jamia Masjid in Bradford as the most beautiful minaret out of over 200 minarets in Europe.
On 19th Jan 2011, representatives of the various organizations from Europe as well as UK will be present at the award ceremony, which will be held at the Madni Jamia Masjid at kl.18.00.
A plaque will also be presented to the administration of the mosque. Before this ceremony, the distinguished delegation will visit the head office of the Bradford Council for Mosques as well as the Cathedral to express the need for solidarity among faiths, cultures and ethnic groups.
In the evening, at 19:30, a conference is arranged with the co-operation of the Institute of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, to discuss the issue of Religious Visibility and Interethnic Relations. It is our hope that the progressive forces in Europe would be our partners to advance the cause of the pluralistic societies.
Honoring the most beautiful minaret in Europe,
Contest of Most beautiful Minaret in Europe
EMISCO with its partners and the support of Council of Europe, COJEP International, ISESCO and Organisation of Islamic Conference have launched a contest to select the most beautiful existing Minaret in Europe through a photographic competition which was closed today.
EMISCO with its partners and the support of Council of Europe, COJEP International, ISESCO and Organisation of Islamic Conference have launched a contest to select the most beautiful existing Minaret in Europe through a photographic competition which was closed today.
Colloquium in Geneva
At UNOG, on Friday, 10 December 2010, EMISCO will participate to the Colloquium organised by COJEP International on "Radicalizations as Threats for our Democracies".
At UNOG, on Friday, 10 December 2010, EMISCO will participate to the Colloquium organised by COJEP International on "Radicalizations as Threats for our Democracies".
Side Event during the next OSCE Review Conference in Warsaw
Today, it is very important to join our efforts to building Trust and Co-operation between civil society and law enforcement agencies in combating anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Today, it is very important to join our efforts to building Trust and Co-operation between civil society and law enforcement agencies in combating anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Press Release
Emisco Manifesto
On 18th of December 2010, participants from various countries gathered in The Hague, in The Netherlands, to discuss the idea of creating a vibrant network with the involvement and support of other similar-minded stakeholders. Their belief is that a fuller and better participation of Muslim communities in the societies in which they live requires a new thinking, extra resources and closer cooperation through an in-depth consultation process. It was also mentioned at the meeting that an active participation of Muslim minorities in all spheres of their new homes would make true mutual integration possible, where sense of belonging and judicial protection would be facilitated. A decision was taken to call the new organization European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion - EMISCO. The initiative is an independent, non-religious, non-party political and non-governmental body.More...
Recent Discussions
Dear President Obama,
As a great supporter and admirer of your energetic position and efforts on improving relations between USA with the Islamic world, I was both heartened and sad by your recent statements concerning the whole proposed incident of Quran burning in Florida.
Let me first explain why, I with a non-practicing Muslim background felt disappointed and hurt. More...