David Miliband

Morocco: cultural meeting point

Today I discussed the Middle East and the challenge of greater understanding between Europe and its Muslim neighbours with the Moroccan Foreign Minister Mr Taieb Fassi Fihri.  In preparation, I was told about the University of Al-Karaouine in Fez. 

Set up in 859 AD, it is one of the leading spiritual centres of the Muslim world.   In the Middle Ages Al-Karaouine University played a leading role in cultural and academic relations between the Islamic world and Europe.  It continues to be a meeting point of diversity today, actively celebrating and encompassing different cultures.  In January this year a group of British Muslim leaders, supported by the Embassy in Rabat, visited the University to further understanding of Islam in the UK, break down some of the misconceptions about life as a British Muslim and learn about Morocco' s spiritualist and open interpretation of Islam.

As I said in my speech in Oxford last week, in order to widen the relationship between the west and the Muslim world that has been narrowed by terrorism we need to rebuild relations and forge broader coalitions.  Morocco's approach to cultural and religious diversity provides an opening to share ideas and efforts based on mutual respect and understanding

Posted at 17:29 02 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]