6/3/2004 - Islam and Icelanders - Communication-Understanding

In the light of the political development in the world AFS Iceland wanted, as an intercultural organization, to offer an interesting discussion about how to create a better understanding and cultural awareness between the western world and the Muslim world. Iceland is a very homogenic society. More than 90% of the population belong to the Lutherian State Church, approximately 500 Muslims live in the country.

Our special guest was Dr. Irid Agoes from AFS Indonesia who traveled to Iceland all the way from Indonesia only for the weekend. Irid had also meetings with the board and staff of AFS Iceland and had a workshop for volunteers about The Intercultural Dimension in Our world Today. We sincerely thank Irid for joining us for the weekend and for her great contribution to our organization, it was very important for us to have her here.

AFS Iceland held the forum in the Intercultural Center in Reykjavi­k, run by the Red Cross. Three lecturers gave presentations. Mr. Thorhallur Heimisson an Icelandic Lutherian minister talked about Islam in history and present, Dr. Irid Agoes talked about Understanding Islam Interculturally and Mr. Salmann Tamimi, the chair of the Muslim association in Iceland talked about Muslims in Iceland. Salmann is a Palestinan who has lived in Iceland for many years. Then there was a panel discussion which Elin Eiriksdottir facilitated. Facilitator of the forum was Petrina Asgeirsdottir. After the forum AFS Iceland had a reception for the guests.

The forum was very successful, between 90-100 people attended. We did not expect so many and our only problem was that the assembly room was too small and there were not enough seats for every-one. An interesting discussion took place and the people that attended were very happy about this initiative.

The forum was a small step in intercultural relations in a big world which suffers from a lack of intercultural understanding and awareness of the leaders of the world.

By Petrina Asgeirsdottir
Director, AFS Iceland