Once a year, the Catholic dioceses in North Rhine-Westphalia invite their dialog partners to a reception. This initiative originally arose from the dioceses' desire to thank their Muslim partners for inviting them to break the fast during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Great opportunity to make friends and start activities
In the meantime, this annual reception has developed into a much-anticipated opportunity to talk to each other, get to know people from different backgrounds or meet them again, initiate joint activities, build and deepen friendships, discuss current issues, and learn new things.
This year, the Archdiocese of Cologne hosted the reception with Suffragan Bishop Rolf Steinhäuser, Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue, and the Dialogue Department of the Archdiocese of Cologne. The event took place on June 25, 2024, at the Maternushaus in Cologne. This year's theme was "Preserving the environment and creation".
Environmental ethics, projects and thoughts on the preservation of creation
Suffragan Bishop Rolf Steinhäuser welcomed the participants. Professor Dr. Asmaa El Maaroufi spoke on the topic of "Interreligious environmental ethics and joint commitment to creation". Anna Fischer explained the interreligious projects, networks and formats for the preservation of the environment and creation of the archdiocese and its partners. Dr. Thomas Lemmen hosted the event.
Professor Dr. Asmaa El Maaroufi
Anna Fischer
Peace and understanding arise on many levels
The reception was musically framed by the contributions of Mr. Ercan Shahin on the Turkish long-necked lute Baglama.
Sheikh BASHIR and Karimah Stauch were there for URI and DMLBonn. Sheikh BASHIR addressed some words to the approximately 100 participants.
This successful event was concluded with a joint dinner.
Many thanks to the hosts for the good time together.
Karimah Stauch, URI Europe Coordinator
