"The fear of the unknown" is the basis for "demonizing the other". The fear of difference disappears as we invest in education for a pluralistic society. Pluralism should not be just tolerated, but rather appreciated as human richness. Hugo Franco's article in this weekend paper mentions that the process of demonizing the other starts at very early ages. Furthermore, that children fight for the cause of religion, being the Muslim the enemy of Christians and of people in general.
I worry about this Europe that is becoming increasingly racist and xenophobic and which, resists in its ignorance towards the other. Portugal is unfortunately, becoming the same. Read the comments in my blog and you will see I am not exaggerating.
On a recent occasion, while discussing similar issues with my children, I recalled the Holocaust, and referred them to the book about "The boy in the stripped pyjamas". I told them of how close in time we were of the dreadful events. My daughter, who's 12, found the story a very sad one, and not appropriate for the time of the day, or the age of her younger brother, who's 6. She was concerned about him having bad dreams. It was late in the afternoon, I know, and perhaps she was right. But then, if you miss the time, the opportunity to say things which are important, or if they become trivial among children's games, maybe, one misses out the opportunity to teach, to remind them of the things we should avoid happening again. I have to confess tough that I got tired that day, for having to answer to many urgent but pertinent questions my son was eager to learn. His was the concern about human cruelty, and if there is punishment for those who do wrong; or even if paradise and hell exist...
The faith I try to teach is of humanism and of humanitarian conduct. The religious books they have, produced at the Institute of Ismaili Studies, in London, teach them about unity in a cosmopolitan coexistence.
I wish my kids to grow in a secular world where having faith or not, would not be a problem. I do my best to educate them at the highest standards, and with the best instruments of learning, with only one condition: that they may use this knowledge and education to serve those in need with generosity and humility when it is in their time and capacity.
In a Europe that is more and more racist and xenophobic, it is urgent to ask some important questions: What is good education? What ethics and morals do we want to teach children about when encountering the other? Which principles of the Judeo-Christian culture, which form the basis of the European Consitution, will the Portuguese use to educate their children? What kind of society will the next generations be like? Who should be accountable for educating for the good, or the evil? It is time to think.... It is time to teach pluralism.
PS: For those who think churches are not allowed in Muslim spaces, please, have a good look at these marvels
