VATICAN CITY

          Letter from the Secretary of State 

MARGHERITA ISLAND, VENEZUELA

 

Our Ambassador to Venezuela Dr. Kassem Mohammed Tayjan, as well as, coordinator for Latin America of the Ambassadors of Peace of the EML, he organized lessons in Arabic language and religion at the Venezuelan Islamic College of Margarita despite the particularly difficult period in the country. These lessons are held constantly on Saturdays, they are aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims who want to know our religion. We thank him and his collaborators for this important initiative which, thanks be to God, enlightened Venezuelans by accepting to become Muslims.

ELBASAN, ALBANIA

 

PEACE MARCH 22 - Elbasan 8 January 2022 Even today, from "Elbasan Arena" Square, started the annual Peace March that had as its theme "Education - is the main tool for social and national progress!" Mr. Sokol Lulgjuraj, Director of QBNF, after thanking the participants of the event, invited the religious and civil authorities in turn for their messages. EML representative in Albania and QBNF President Dr. Arben Ramkaj stressed the importance of education and the contribution that religious communities have given over the centuries to the nation. Afterwards, Mrs. Evis Kushi, Minister of Education, after thanking QBNF for this already traditional commitment, highly appreciated the selection of this very current and necessary topic where the contribution of all is required. Further on behalf of the Municipality expressed the considerations Deputy Mayor Mr. Jetjon Gjuraj. Busti Kozma Naska delivered "Religious Communities Example for Education" and "Religion as a Tireless Missionary for the Education of Generations" by Mufti Agim Duka and Don Giuseppe Testa, as well as the MP of Elbasan, Mr. Florenc Spaho. At the stop at the bust of Kostandin Kristoforidhi, Metropolitan Hirësi Andoni spoke on "Education - the main source for a brighter future" and the director of ZVA, Mr. Ermir Çela. Finally, the September of Aqif Pasha was announced "Religious leaders, advisors and educators of the masses" by Baba Faik Selmani and "God always pushes us towards Education!" by Pastor Ilirian John. Head of District Mr. Bukurosh Stafa presented some directions where their institution is focused and has invested while Rector Skender Topi meditated on the professionalism of the university that increases the level of Education. In the end, the deputy mayor Vesa Llanaj praised the contribution of all by encouraging the activism of all actors.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

 

 

Year 1443 corresponding to 2021. Even if for us it is not a religious holiday, for the New Year we like to give a wish for peace

New Year Message of Solidarity from EML Leadership

Many of you will be glad to wave farewell to 2021 because of the universal misery, heartbreak, and hardship that has touched us all courtesy of the Covid pandemic.

As we usher in the New Year let’s hope and pray that there will be an end in sight but, sadly, it is not just the pandemic that continues to blight our lives.

Our brothers and sisters in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Kashmir, and elsewhere in the Middle East, Far East, Africa, and Asia are all too familiar with the cost of conflict, persecution, and strife. While the war in Afghanistan may have ended, human suffering will continue for many years to come. The country is hurtling headlong into the precipice of a humanitarian aid disaster.

These events will challenge all of us and we will be judged by how we rise to meet these challenges. While the international community is coming together to help we know our own Muslim communities in Europe will also be working hard to do their bit through one-person efforts right up to organised aid via major charitable institutions.

Our global peace ambassadors will also continue to work for the common good.

Meanwhile, Muslims in Europe face additional hurdles from racism and Islamophobia but we will also confront these issues with the same stoic resilience and fortitude which has helped us previously.

Let’s determine to make 2022 the year when we are all much kinder to each other as we celebrate our diversity and inclusion.

Stay safe and stay protected no matter who you are or how you pray or don’t.

EML President Dr Alfredo Maiolese and EML Director-General Dr Yvonne Ridley

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

 

Dr. Arben Ramkaj member of the board of EML has participated through the online platform in the conference organized by the Council of Europe Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT) which is conducting a high-level International Conference on the Roles of Women and Children in Terrorism, in hybrid format. This Conference is focusing on issues related to the involvement of women and children in terrorist activities and the challenges associated with their repatriation and reintegration into society. Such discussions  took place in five thematic sessions, addressing the roles of women and children, in particular, in various terrorist organizations, the situation of returnees linked to DAESH, reintegration and rehabilitation policies, and finally a parliamentary roundtable on measures taken by the Council of European Member States to repatriate and reintegrate children from post-war and post-war areas. Discussions will allow for the exchange of views between high-level representatives in the field, including policymakers, parliamentarians, senior representatives from international organizations, academics, journalists and independent experts.

SAINT CROIX, USA VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

The Presidency of European Muslim League, the President Amb. Alfredo Maiolese, the Secretary General Dr.Yvonne Ridley, together with all the members of EML, are glad to announce the nomination of a new Ambassador of Peace in United States Virgin Islands.

Congratulations to Sheikh Hatim Yahya Yusef for this important role in his Country.

BELMOPAN, BELIZE

 

The Presidency of European Muslim League, the President Amb. Alfredo Maiolese, the Secretary General Dr.Yvonne Ridley, together with all the members of EML, are glad to announce the nomination of a new Ambassador of Peace in the State of Belize.

Congratulations to Sheikh Kalem El-Amin for this important role in his Country.