XIV Interreligious and Intertheological Academic Symposium

Vice President of the Muslim Community of Albania, Mr. Taulant Bica, participated in the XIV Academic Interfaith and Intertheological Symposium, held in the premises of "Bedër" University College, with the theme "The Role of Christianity and Islam in the Treatment of Climate Issues".

This activity, which is part of the Erasmus+ project for environmental education and peace, was developed by the three main theological institutions in Albania: the Department of Islamic Sciences at KU "Bedër", the Department of Theology and Culture (Logos) and the Institute of Catholic Philosophy and Theology.

H. Taulant Bica, vice president of the Muslim Community of Albania, Fortlumturi Joani, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, Mons. Gjergj Meta, president of the Bishops' Conference of Albania, H. Dede Edmond Brahimaj, World Grandfather of the Bektashians, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Genti Kruja, General Secretary of the Interreligious Council of Albania, heads of institutions, as well as many academics and students.

In his opening speech, the Rector of the University College "Bedër", Prof. Dr. Gjergji Sinani, emphasized the need for science and religion to cooperate closely to educate the new generations with a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

While the vice president Bica, in his speech of the occasion, emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant issue, but a reality that affects people's daily lives, describing this challenge not only as technical or political, but above all as moral and conscientious. In this context, he pointed out the irreplaceable role of religion in educating man with a sense of responsibility towards himself, others and the whole creation.

"Man's relationship with nature is built on responsibility and trust. God says in the Qur'an: 'Do not cause disorder in the earth after it has been fixed.'" (Al-A'raf, 7:56). This is a very clear principle. disrupting this balance is a violation of this trust. Man is not the absolute owner of the earth, but its caretaker." - he highlighted during his speech.

The symposium continued with the welcoming words of the aforementioned religious leaders, who emphasized that the climate crisis is not only a technical problem, but above all a moral and spiritual challenge that requires solidarity and responsibility from all of us.

While the main lecturer from Vienna, Prof. Sylvia Inou Tchatchoua, brought an international perspective on ecological education.

In the scientific session of this symposium, researchers Thoma Çomëni, Dom Simo Ljuljić and Rudina Çinari presented to the attendees their theological and ethical theses on environmental protection.

Furthermore, the students of the three theologies that made the organization of this event possible, divided into small working groups, collaborated to proposed ideas on the role of civic education in climate protection.

At the end, the participants were awarded with certificates and gifts for the winners of a competition held at the end of the symposium.