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2013 UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture
an article by UNESCO Press
Algerian academic and essayist Mustafa Cherif and
the Arab British Centre (UK) are the winners of
the 2013 UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture.
They were designated by an international jury of
experts for their commitment to disseminate Arab
culture globally. The Prize will be awarded by the
Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, in a
ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters on 25
April.
Mustafa Cherif
click on photo to enlarge
Mustafa Cherif (Algeria) contributed for more than
three decades to the promotion of Arab Muslim
culture and inter-cultural dialogue. A former
diplomat and politician, he also dedicated part of
his career to teaching. As a researcher, he set up
courses about the Arab Muslim civilization and
cultures at the University of Algiers, the École
supérieure de Sciences politiques et Relations
internationales (Algiers), as well as the Open
University of Catalonia (e-learning). He is one of
the founders of the Groupe d'amitié islamo-
chrétien and the World Islamic-Catholic Forum. He
has authored numerous works about Islam and inter-
faith dialogue.
The Arab British Centre (UK) is an independent
charitable organization which works to improve
understanding of the Arab world. The Centre
organizes cultural events—such as the screening of
Safar: A Journey through Popular Arab Cinema in
2012—and Arabic language and calligraphy classes.
Despite limited budgetary resources, it is able to
undertake other activities with various bodies and
works with an extensive network and various
partners to promote the culture and arts of the
Arab world in the United Kingdom. The Centre
endeavours to dispel negative stereotyping
concerning Arab culture and society through
roundtable debates and cultural programmes.
The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture was
established on the initiative of the United Arab
Emirates to reward the efforts of a national of an
Arab Country and a national of any other country
who has contributed, through artistic,
intellectual or promotional work, to the
development and dissemination of Arab culture in
the world. US$ 60,000 Prize is divided equally
between the two laureates of the Prize.
[Editor's note: Among the many essays by prize-
winner Mustafa Cherif, there is one which considers
the celebration of
Ramadan as culture of peace.. For example, he
says, "Ramadan calls, first of all, for a culture
of peace. This concept is directly related to
living together in peace. In this sense, peace
requires recognition of the other, keeping in mind
that there is no peace without justice.]
(Click here for a French version of this article)
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Here is a rough translation of
Ramadan: the culture of peace
by Mustapha Cherif
Fasting is to be at peace. If someone tries to bother us, we can answer quietly: "I am fasting. "The concept of peace in Islam is central, in addition to being one of the beautiful names of God, Salam, the importance of which is at least equal to Rahman, the Merciful.
Ramadan calls, first of all, for a culture of peace. This concept is directly related to living together in peace. In this sense, peace requires recognition of the other, keeping in mind that there is no peace without justice. The action reflecting this orientation is that of sharing, which must be conducted in a reasonable manner. To accept differences, personally, in human relations, needs to be with an open heart and mind. Hospitality is a virtue.
The responsibility of the Muslim imperative of justice
The concept of peace in Islam is greater than any other: it is religious, human and cultural and beyond.
The qualities of the believer, generous, hospitable, good, all converge in the sense of achieving peace vis-à-vis oneself, others and the world. . ...more.
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