Salesian Presence among Muslims

Abstract of the Paper Presented by Fr. Václav Klement

Introduction

We are meeting to reflect together on the Salesian Presence among the Muslims. The world of globalisation has changed a great deal in these 11 years. Starting from 9.11.2001 – scarcely six months after the previous Seminar in 2001, throughout the whole world relations between Christians and Muslims were subjected to great tensions and challenges. And again after 9.12.2006 – the date of the conference Benedict XVI gave at the University of Regensburg – it is clear that the growth of Islam signifies for the disciples if Jesus Christ one of the ten 'megatrends' which exert a great influence on the future of the Catholic Church.

World statistics (PEW Institute, 2010) indicate that there are 1.6 billion Muslim faithful in the world, with an annual growth of 1.5%. In 2030 it is predicted that 60% of Muslims will be living in the Asia-Pacific region and that Pakistan will become the country with the largest number of Muslims in its population, passing Indonesia which is in first place at present.

Starting from the General Chapter in 2008 I have asked myself many times: ‘What is the significance of Islam for our faith and for our Salesian charism? I began reading on the subject of the Days and gathering material. During my visits to places where we are in daily contact I collected accounts of the varied experiences: catechumenate classes composed almost exclusively of young Muslims (AFW), Muslim director of a Salesian Oratory (FRB), an experience with Muslim leaders in a Youth Centre (ICP), the enthusiasm of the confreres with their experience in the Gulf States (INB), almost the whole of the educative pastoral community made up of Muslims committed to living the preventive system (ITM).

A short account of the Salesian presence among Muslims (Annuario 2012)

From the times of Don Rua in various missions we have been present among our Muslim brothers and sisters. A glance at the Annuario of the Salesians of Don Bosco 2012 (vol. II, 217 –The beginning of Salesian activities in the various countries) shows that starting from 1891 we are present among the Muslims in about 50 countries in which a significant percentage of Muslims are living: 1891 Algeria, 1891 Holy Land / Israel, 1894 Tunisia, 1896 Egypt, 1903 Turkey, 1906 India, 1907 Mozambique, 1927 Thailand, 1929 Morocco, 1936 Iran, 1939 Libya (1976), 1940 Albania (1992), 1948 Syria,1951 Philippines (Mindanao 1989), 1952 Lebanon, 1965 (Serbia-Jugoslavia), 1966 (Montengro), 1971 Gabon, 1976 Ethiopia, 1979 Liberia, 1980 Kenya; 1980 Senegal, Tanzania; 1981 Angola, Ivory Coast, Mali; 1982 Nigeria, Sudan, Southern Sudan; 1985 Indonesia, 1986 Sierra Leone, 1987 Yemen, 1988 Uganda, 1993 Burkina Faso; 1994 Bulgaria, 1995 Bosnia/Hercegovina, Chad, Eritrea; 1998 Pakistan, 2000 Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Kosovo; 2008 United Arab Emirates, 2009 Bangladesh.

On the other hand there are various Salesian presences in the Muslim world which we have given up or left for various socio-political reasons or lack of personnel: Liby (Vicariate Apostolic of Derna, 1939-1950: Apollonia, Battisti, Beda-Littoria, Berta, Cirene, Derna, Luigi di Savoia, Mameli, Razza, Tobruk) Morocco (Casablanca 1979-1992, Port Lyautey (=Kenitra) 1937-1958, Rabat 1992-1999, Sidi Yahia Du Rharb 1955-1958) Tunisia (La Marsa 1894-1960) Turkey (Smirne 1903-1943, Adalia 1913-1927) Egypt (Port Said 1924-1963, Ismailia 1925-1940, Suez 1923-1940 Lebanon (Beirut 1952-1977) Iran (Teheran - School 1939-1980 (1 SDB, 1 FMA, 1 Italian), Abadan 1954-1981).

In addition, in European Provinces where we were already present the Muslim presence has recently increased. Today we are present among the Muslims also in the following countries: France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain and various Salesian works in Italy have a large percentage of Muslims.

A glance at the world map tells us that that about 30+ Provinces cannot ignore the presence of young Muslims in our works on a daily basis. Approximately, according to the Regions: South Asia - 8 Provinces; East Asia - 3 Provinces; Africa - 6 Provinces; West Europe - 5 Provinces; North Europe - 7 Provinces; Italy & MOR - 5 Provinces. 

There are the Provinces present in territories with a Muslim majority, which already include a good number of local confreres, who live on a daily basis in contact with Islam: MOR (Middle East, 1902, 7 countries) Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt; AFO (French-speaking West Africa, 1998, 7 countries) Mali, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin); AFW (English-speaking West Africa, 1998) Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia; AFE (East Africa, 1982, 4 countries) Sudan, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania; ITM (Timor Leste - Indonesia, 1998); FIS (South Philippines - Pakistan: present since 1998).

In the list of holy members in the Salesian Family so far there are two coming from Christian communities in the middle of Islamic contexts – the Venerable Salesian Brother Simone Srugi (Palestine, 1877 - 1943) and the Servant of God, Salesian Co-operator Matilde Salem (Aleppo, Syria 1905-1961).

During the 120 years of our presence in the Middle East there have been 3-4 cases of confreres who suffered a violent death even though not for strictly religious reasons. At the beginning of the Arab Spring in 2011 a young Polish missionary Fr. Marek Rybinski, suffered a violent death at the Salesian School in Manouba (Tunisia), where the students we are educating are 100% Muslims.

The most important fact is that we can count hundreds of Salesians born in countries with a Muslim majority, who grew up within Christian communities which had the opportunity be in a dialogue of life with Muslim brothers and sisters and with the different Muslim cultures: Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, Eritrea, Sudan, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Chad, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Albania etc. Now among Salesian Superiors we have the first Provincial of Arab origin Fr. Munir El Rai (MOR, originarily from Syria, 2012-18) and Fr. Boedi Yohannes Soerjonoto (ITM, Provincial Delegate for Indonesia, originally from Jakarta (2011-14). 

A short account of Salesian reflection on our commitment among Muslims

Probably the first meeting at Congregation level to reflect on the issue was held in Cairo (Egypt, 1988.12.30 - 1989.01.03) attended by 26 SDB, 14 FMA. Most of them came from the Province of the Middle East and North Africa, with only 1 SDB from Subsaharian Africa. The Acts also contain contributions by Fr. Bashir SDB and Sr. Ibtissam FMA. In workshops various important topics were examined regarding culture and evangelisation, relationships between the Islamic and Christian religions, education in the Islamic context and the position of women in the Middle East. Some conclusions appeared in the SEPP of the Province (MOR, 1992).

A second opportunity for reflection at Congregation level was organised 12 years after the first and held in Rome (Italy, 2001.02.25 - 03.02). Present were 18 SDB and 7 FMA, 1 Layman from Azerbaijan representing an even wider geographical diversity (Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Europe – the Balkans). The Acts (in Italian and English, 224p.) containing the talks by Fr. Pozzo, SDB and Sr. Ibtissam, FMA, focused on Salesian presence in Muslim contexts (education in intercultural contexts, dialogue). We consider the conclusions of the two Seminars to be valid, but we do not have an assessment of the application of the conclusions.

In the previous six-year period, the Councillor for the Missions, Fr. Francis Alencherry in the years 2005-2007 conducted a world-wide survey into 'Salesian commitment in the Islamic world'. As a result a Dossier was published (Rome, Department for the Missions, 15 February 2008, 164 p.) The dossier contains the replies from 11 Provinces (AFO, AFW, ATE, FIS, FRA, INB, INK, MOR, SLK, SLO). In three chapters - (4) Salesian praxis up to today, (5) The challenges of Islam to the Salesian charism and (6) How to organise ourselves for the future – are gathered together practical suggestions and working guidelines arising from the survey. The dossier is available in a French translation, the original was published and distributed during the GC26 (a multilingual edition – Italian, English, Spanish, French). 

Some practical emphases: The need to be present in Islamic countries, the importance of witnessing, the need to strengthen our presences (MOR), the formation of Salesians, the quality of the education and of the preventive system, a commitment to peace, justice and human rights.

At the level of West Africa (thanks to the 'initiative of the AFO Province) a short Seminar at Bamako (Mali, 2010.10.11-14) was organised. 25 Salesians from the 13 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (AFW, AFO, AFE) took part with the invite expert Fr. Jean Bevand, Af.Miss. In re-reading the Acts one is struck by the lack of a serious reflection on the application of the preventive system in these contexts in all the countries involved.

Some Provinces do offer a reflection on our educative-pastoral praxis with young Muslims. As an example: the draft of a reflection on the form of our pastoral action on behalf of those of other religions (especially Muslims)- ICP, YM Team (2011) and the Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan of - MOR, Provincial Chapter 1992, p.35-48

In the whole Congregation unfortunately we have few confreres with a good academic and practical preparation. Few confreres (MOR 4, IRL 1, FIS 1...) have taken advantage of the opportunity to study in the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies in Rome: one doctorate, two licences, three diplomas, updating (PISAI, www.pisai.it).

Conclusion 

In reflecting over our daily contacts with our Muslim brothers and sisters in our works, or of working in countries with a Muslim majority as Christians who bear witness to and proclaim Jesus Christ, we as Salesians want to examine more deeply the practical meaning of art. 22 of our Regulations:

'In non-Christian countries Salesians by the application of their educational and pastoral method should create conditions favouring a free process of conversion to the Christian faith, with respect shown for the cultural and religious values of the neighbourhood. In places where the religious, social or political context does not allow of forms of explicit evangelisation, the Congregation should maintain and develop a missionary presence of witness and service.

Taking full advantage of the resources available for the formation of SDB and FMA

1. Some web sites with essential Church documents

www.vatican.va (Council for Inter-religious dialogue) - 7 languages

www.pisai.it (PISAI - Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e di Islamologia, Roma)

2. Other web sites useful for our subject

http://www.emfoundation.eu/news.php (European Multicultural Foundation) - P. Vittorio Pozzo,SDB

http://aam.s1205.t3isp.de/?L=1 (P. Christian Troll, SJ - Muslim Asks, Christian answers) 8 languages

http://www.pewforum.org/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx (Ricerca globale 2010)

http://www.gfamissions.org/ministries/equipping-christians-to-evangelize-muslims.html (USA)

3. Some basic publications available in the main languages 

ABC per capire i Musulmani, St. Paolo 2007, Maurice Borrmans (per un dialogo corretto)

What every Catholic/Christian should know about Islam?

All the material collected during the preparatory phases in the three years between 2009 and 2012, is available in the AGORA digital area of the SDB site in the section Islamic context 2012: (http://say.sdb.org/agora/index.php?board=32.0).

Fr. Václav Klement, SDB General Councillor for the Missions

Rome, Salesianum, 31 July 2012