Interreligious dialogue for sustainable peace: The Library of Alexandria building bridges of tolerance and mutual understanding

Abstract

Tolerance has been always the main criteria identifying the Egyptian nature. We believe that the basis of all religions – with no exceptions – are common. It is an invitation for good conduct, respectable behaviour, loving others and not hurting anyone. Violence has nothing to do with religion, it’s a human act created by narrow-minded people and ignorant mentalities. Terrorism has been accelerating in Egypt since the 90s and reached its peak during the ruling of the Muslims Brotherhood after the revolution in January 2011. Believing in the power of culture, literacy and arts as the gate for solidarity, understanding and tolerance among nations, the Library of Alexandria has developed a number of projects to narrow the gap among religions, cultures and civilizations. In this paper, I will highlight two major projects that the library is working on in this phase. The first project is an invitation from the library to the young generation, especially those who come from religious schools and rural areas, to come in groups and visit the library, attend enlightening lectures, concerts, go through different activities and visit museums at the library to learn more about their country heritage and give them the sense of inclusion and broaden their minds and fight extreme and intolerant thinking. The second project is a palace from the royal era that the library has taken after an agreement with the government and decided to transfer this magnificent building to become a museum to all religions known on the Egyptian soil, starting from the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman eras and including the Jewish, Christian and Islamic heritage.