The Virgin Mary Project
During this Ramadan, Samanyolu Television is also presenting interesting fasting and fast-breaking programs. The previous evening, when a microphone was extended to people sitting around a fast-breaking table in the German city of Stuttgart, they talked about the "Virgin Mary Project." I wondered and talked to Muammer Akin who has been in Germany for 25 years and has been taking part in the Stuttgart project from the very beginning.
The Virgin Mary project is the name given to efforts in opening up dialogue with the Germans. It may be summarized as reciprocal visits between Muslim and Christian families. Significant progress has been made in the last three years, and the foundation for the dialogue was laid seven years ago. Church congregations and a group of Muslims met in at a fast-breaking table, in a meeting room of the church, at a time when Christmas and Ramadan were marked on the same days. We had sending messages of congratulation to them during their Christmas and they had also been sending messages of congratulation to us during our Ramadan. This meeting, that began with 30 people, grew increasingly every year. At the end of the 4th year, 150 people, the maximum number the room could contain, partook in the fast-breaking dinner. When the meeting, held once every year was considered insufficient, it was said, "Let's spread this over the entire year and let visits among families take place." The Virgin Mary project began in this way.
It kicked off, however, to avoid any adverse happening some useful information was given to both sides beforehand. While German families were advised as follows: "You should take off your shoes while entering Turkish homes," the Turks were advised this way: "Do not forget to provide slippers." Both sides were informed about each other's sensitivities, and what they had to be careful about was explained in advance. Of course, the results were excellent. Then, the brethren families continued their dialogue until the visits to Turkey started. Certainly, there were people who were hesitant at the beginning; however, an atmosphere of tolerance and compromise, that might even make skeptics of Turkey's full European Union (EU) membership envious, was formed. This process spread naturally and also made itself accceptable in other European countries.
We are the pioneers of everything beautiful, in every period in history, when people are to be shown good examples. The Virgin Mary project is one of them. I heard this from Zaman readers in the United States last April. Turks there also organize fast-breaking dinners in the name of dialogue. A theologian friend was explaining the meaning of the Meryem Sura from the Koran last year. Surprise filled the room. They could not believe what they heard. Because they had not heard such good expressions about the Virgin Mary in their respective worlds. They said, "Can you read it again?" The verses were read one more time and explained. An old American who could not stand it , stood up and shouted, "They even call you a Muslim" These are not new in our world, these are beauties that are being re-lived. The most significant name in dialogue and tolerance today, Fethullah Gülen, says so.
"Tolerance and dialogue, which accept everyone according to his/her status, the idea of being respectful, and transferring these on to real life, are not things, in Islamic history, that emanated from us. Just examine the al-Medina Document through this perspective: Does humanity's pride picture declare to the world the rights of religion, life, travel, initiative and private property, whether or not people belong to any religion, race and nationality by raising its sacred voice or does it not? Do immunity and holiness of these rights exist in the Document or not? Are the same truths repeated in the Veda Hutbe [Farewell Khutbah of Prophet Mohammed] with a different style of expression and manner or not? There are approximately 10 years between the Medina Document and the Veda Hac [Farewell Hadj]. This means that there has been no change in style during these 10 years. Instead there has been maturation and fortification."
We were told about the old Ramadans. In my opinion, what really have to be explained are the new Ramadans enriched by the Virgin Mary projects.
New Ramadans bringing good tidings for a new spring
ZAMAN
- Created on .