About: religious tolerance

Will European Parliament resist institutionalisation of religious lobbying?

In a time of growing diversity, secularism is the very principle that caters for the co-existence of the multitude of life stances and worldviews present in our societies. Yet, attempts to undermine it emanate at the highest level of the European Parliament. Secularism is a key principle of the European project, writes Giulio Ercolessi.

Church leader: John Paul II left a legacy in Kazakhstan

Religious dialogue in the service of peace is a brainchild of the President of Kazakhstan, inspired by the visit of Pope John Paul II to Kazakhstan in September 2001, a Catholic priest who helped organize the visit told EURACTIV.

A message from Astana: EU, be alert, the fascists are coming

Marek Halter, a Jew and Holocaust survivor, used the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to warn Europeans that there is a high risk that fascists campaigning on the Islamophobia ticket win big in next year's European elections.

Religious leaders raise their flags at Astana gathering

Kazakhstan got praise today (10 October) for hosting for the sixth time the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which traditionally issues messages of peace, mutual respect and tolerance. A few religious leaders however defended their countries controversial policies.

Kazakh researcher: EU is like a dog with an Elizabethan collar

Kazakhstan has succeeded where the EU has failed - creating a society based on multiculturalism, Saginaty Berdaulova told EURACTIV in an interview.

Religion should not be used to sow divisions

In recent years, many thousands have died and millions more had to flee their homes due to conflicts in which religion has been used to justify discrimination and violence. Countering these dangerous distortions is one of the challenges that religious leaders will address in Astana on 10 and 11 October, writes Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

‘Eroding civil liberties is recruiting tool for extremists,’ Parliament hears

Curbs on civil liberties, both online and in everyday life, prove to be a “recruiting tool for extremists”, MEPs heard on Wednesday night (8 March), at a debate on combatting violent extremism and restoring citizenship.

Christians recognised as most persecuted religious group worldwide

Around the world, Christians are being persecuted because of their faith. The European Parliament brought much-needed recognition to the victims of persecution and needs to follow up with concrete tools to protect religious groups worldwide, writes Adina Portaru.

Azerbaijan poses as bastion against Islamophobia in Europe

The political aftermath of the refugee crisis in Europe, and the rise of far-right populism, is cause for growing concern in Azerbaijan, a country that sees itself as a bridge between the West and the Islamic world. EURACTIV reports from Baku.