Society

Cultural Exchange between Pakistani Madrassa Pupils and German Students

Cultural Diversity and Religious History as part of Cultural Diplomacy

August 09th, 2016
Georgi Zografov, News from Berlin
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The world religions have their own history which is related to the social culture of the people from different regions. The understanding of religion as part of cultural diplomacy is an essential key for conducting good international relations between countries.

Germany wants to strengthen its cultural and political network with the traditional Muslim countries. One of them is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan is the second most populous country with a Muslim majority and it has had diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany since 1951. Both countries have good bilateral relations in nearly all areas.

A good start for the establishment of good cultural exchange can be achieved through discussions and shared academic research relating to religious, political and cultural topics. The understandings of cultural behaviour, attitudes and demeanour of different societies and nations have an effect on the efforts of cultural diplomacy to promote the importance of international dialogue for the development of a modern world society.

On 22th July 2016 the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was visited by a group of twelve Pakistani Madrassa students who were participating in an academic seminar organised by the Department of Religious Studies, University of Erfurt. The seminar began on 16th July 2016 and continued for one week. It was held under the theme "Religious Pluralism and Religious Plurality: Towards an ethics of peace”. The meeting aimed to start a discussion about the values of justice, religious pluralism, religious diversity and Islamic traditions.

The conference had significant importance for presenting the Madrassa education system in Pakistan. The German students who participated in the academic meeting with the representatives of the Islamic seminaries in Pakistan (Madrassas) had the opportunity to learn more about different religions and to exchange ideas with people from different cultural backgrounds.

The interaction between the Pakistani and German scholars during the meeting helped them to exchange ideas and opinions about the democratic and secular values and to build a bridge between the Islamic and western cultures.  Through interacting with the Pakistani students the German students gained a better understanding of Islam. On the other hand the Pakistani students got acquainted with the different western culture and modern education in Germany.

Discussions and seminars about cultural diversity and religious beliefs can bring people closer spiritually, as after discussing such topics they can understand each other better. The differences between different nations and cultures can actually be a very good link for providing more tolerance, peace and cooperation in today’s global world. This is very important for the effective spreading of cultural diplomacy.

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News from Berlin