austraLasia #3105
Study Days - Salesian presence among Muslims
ROME: 29 July 2012 -- Salesians, Salesian Sisters and a number of invited participants working closely with these two Salesian Family Groups, will take part in six days of reflection on Salesian presence amongst Muslims. The 'Study Days', as they are called, will take place in Rome at the Pisana from 30 July to 4 August. They are intended to foster deeper contextualised reflective discussions on the Salesian presence among Muslims in order to arrive at a better understanding of the challenges, and to discover new insights and perspectives.
Over this six year period, 'initial proclamation' has been the watchword for SDB-FMA Study Days as promoted by the two Mission Sectors-Areas (SDB, FMA respectively). On this occasion the reflection takes an interesting turn: SDBs and FMAs are present not only in Islamic contexts but also in traditionally Christian areas where there is a growing number of Muslims. Similarly Muslims too are present in many Salesian works in all continents. In these situations the witness of life of every Christian, of the Salesian community and of the whole Christian community is of primary importance because where explicit proclamation is either prohibited or not possible it is witness of life that leads to credibility (Porta Fidei 9).
Just taking a look at the SDB/FMA presence across a wide variety of the above contexts suggests how extensive the presence is: other than in European countries with large Muslim populations (such as France, Italy, Austria...), representatives are coming from Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Marocco, Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, UAE, Sudan, Kenya, Chad, Nigeria, Eritrea, Mali, Togo, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines-Mindano, Albania.
The Study Days have the following rhythm: I. Situationer 2. Study & Reflection 3. Formulating Conclusions. Fr Alfred Maravilla and Sr Maika Loes will be the SDB and FMA moderators. They are joined by other facilitators who will help with the management of the working groups, the main methodology to be used.
Apart from Fr Maria Arokiam, Regional Councillor for the South Asia Region, who will present an interesting and forward-looking reflection on the Preventive System as a fundamental criterion for Salesian presence and activity in a Muslim context, other speakers are from well beyond the Salesian circle, in order to hear 'different voices' and help those attending to think outside the box. These speakers will consider a wide range of issues such as the history of Christian-Muslim relationships, Christian witness as a prophetic presence, understanding the Christian values to which Muslims are most sensitive, and ideas from experienced operators in the field on how to engage in inter-religious dialogue with Muslims.
The acts of the Study Days are always published in booklet form (in different languages) with different modules which enable local communities (including those in other contexts of the Congregation) to use the materials for the on-going formation of the members of the local communities.
Study Days - Salesian presence among Muslims
Over this six year period, 'initial proclamation' has been the watchword for SDB-FMA Study Days as promoted by the two Mission Sectors-Areas (SDB, FMA respectively). On this occasion the reflection takes an interesting turn: SDBs and FMAs are present not only in Islamic contexts but also in traditionally Christian areas where there is a growing number of Muslims. Similarly Muslims too are present in many Salesian works in all continents. In these situations the witness of life of every Christian, of the Salesian community and of the whole Christian community is of primary importance because where explicit proclamation is either prohibited or not possible it is witness of life that leads to credibility (Porta Fidei 9).
Just taking a look at the SDB/FMA presence across a wide variety of the above contexts suggests how extensive the presence is: other than in European countries with large Muslim populations (such as France, Italy, Austria...), representatives are coming from Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Marocco, Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, UAE, Sudan, Kenya, Chad, Nigeria, Eritrea, Mali, Togo, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines-Mindano, Albania.
The Study Days have the following rhythm: I. Situationer 2. Study & Reflection 3. Formulating Conclusions. Fr Alfred Maravilla and Sr Maika Loes will be the SDB and FMA moderators. They are joined by other facilitators who will help with the management of the working groups, the main methodology to be used.
Apart from Fr Maria Arokiam, Regional Councillor for the South Asia Region, who will present an interesting and forward-looking reflection on the Preventive System as a fundamental criterion for Salesian presence and activity in a Muslim context, other speakers are from well beyond the Salesian circle, in order to hear 'different voices' and help those attending to think outside the box. These speakers will consider a wide range of issues such as the history of Christian-Muslim relationships, Christian witness as a prophetic presence, understanding the Christian values to which Muslims are most sensitive, and ideas from experienced operators in the field on how to engage in inter-religious dialogue with Muslims.
The acts of the Study Days are always published in booklet form (in different languages) with different modules which enable local communities (including those in other contexts of the Congregation) to use the materials for the on-going formation of the members of the local communities.
