The attacks on Belgium's National Airport and the Brussels Metro Station of Maelbeek will resonate for long. Meanwhile, a terrorist threat hangs over the country and threatens to stir up the fear of the other and the polarization between and within the population.
In this climate, Belgium and Europe need a new impulse: one where we transcend our differences so we can say NO to terror and YES to building a culture of peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
The representatives of the recognized ideologies in our country are aware of the seriousness of this moment and of their responsibility to keep our society livable. Last year they organized the march "Together in Peace. Freedom and Respect", after the first terrorist attacks in Paris. On March 15, 2015, several thousand of people of all beliefs manifested on the streets of Brussels and stopped in front of various places of worship.
The next few days the committee of 'Together in Peace" plans the following initiatives:
- On Sunday, April 17, 2016 representatives of the officially recognized religions and of secular humanism will be together at the March in Brussels "Tous Ensemble – Samen Eén" to give a sign of solidarity with the victims and a sign of unity at a difficult time in the history of Belgium. Among them are: Joseph De Kesel, catholic Archbishop of Malines-Brussels; Athenagoras Peckstadt, Metropolitan of Belgium from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinopel; Albert Guigui, Chief Rabbi of Brussels; Salat Echallaoui, head of the Muslim Executives of Belgium; Geert W. Lorein of the Protestant and evangelical communities; Sylvain Peeters of DeMens.nu. http://www.tousensemble-sameneen.be
- On Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the committee especially will aim at the youth. Together they organize "Football for Peace", a street football tournament for teams of young people consisting of several religions or beliefs. The tournament takes place on the Town Square of Molenbeek from 2pm to 6pm. The Community of Sant'Egidio, along with a number of partners, will organize this event. For more information: www.togetherinpeace.be
We invite the media to give the necessary attention to these initiatives. Furthermore, we hope that in the press, radio, television and social media there will be more space for deeper debates about where our society is going and what exactly is going wrong. The members of the committee are ready to take part in these debates. They believe that religions and ideologies can give a special contribution to this debate.
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Together in Peace - Coordinator: Jan De Volder 0495 79 50 91
Cover Photo: Getty/ KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
