Biblioteca Viva al-Andalous, Cordoba, since June 7th, 2012
The Biblioteca Viva de al-Andalus (BVA - “Living Library of Andalusia”) was created in 2002 by the Fundación Paradigma Córdoba, whose essential purpose is to remember the key role of Cordoba in the 9th to 13th centuries, the cross-fertilization of cultures of the East (China, Indian, Arabic and Persian) and West (Greco -Roman and Judeo-Christian) and the symbiosis, in Al-Andalus, of the three Abrahamic religions: Jewish, Christian and Muslim.
The BVA houses meeting
rooms, study center, and a collection of books and manuscripts
pertaining to the history of Cordoba and Andalusia; it promotes
research, cultural activities; and it hosts a series of lectures,
exhibitions and conferences.
The exhibition was officially opened by Dr. Balbino Povedano Ortega, Vice President of the Fundacion Paradigma Córdoba,
who welcomed the distinguished speakers, guests and visitors. Dr.
Povedano is responsible for the promotion of intercultural and
inter-religious dialogue, and this exhibition on religious tolerance at
the Bailío Palace is the first event in the cycle entitled "Más
Culturas," meaning "diverse cultures."
Dr Maria Jesus Viguera, Cultural Director of the Foundation, explained the purpose of the Foundation and the Living Library of Andalusia and introduced each of the members of the speakers' panel, with a resumé of their publications and achievements and short biography.
Dr Maria Jesus Viguera, Cultural Director of the Foundation, explained the purpose of the Foundation and the Living Library of Andalusia and introduced each of the members of the speakers' panel, with a resumé of their publications and achievements and short biography.
Dr. Mohammed Al Mamari, representing the Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs spoke next, and his remarks were translated simultaneously by Dr. Viguera. Excerpts from his speech:
“In this
historical city of Cordoba, which has greatly contributed to human
civilization, there is a renewed ideology of coexistence. Cordoba was
the cradle and refuge of some of the foremost scholars of human thought
in various disciplines and a place where Arab Muslims, Christians and
Jews lived peacefully together in a unique human model that made this
city the center of the world’s religions and the main focus of cultural
influence in the Middle Ages.
“Between
Muscat, the capital of Oman, and the city of Cordoba there is a
commonality that not everyone knows, a touch of civilization that has
endured a long time, since each of the two cities was home to adherents
of the Ibadhi doctrine, the doctrine founded by Imam Jabir ibn Zayd in
the year 711. Some adherents of the Ibadhi doctrine came to Andalusia in
the 10th C.,
lived here and founded their own schools which had a strong presence,
and were followed by successive movements of migration and settlement
of Ibadhis in Andalusia.”
Dr Viguera's own remarks
followed. She said that she can see from the books which the Ministry of
Awqaf has presented to the Biblioteca Viva that Oman has as much
spiritual beauty as it does physical beauty, and that Oman combines its
own ancient history with the history of Islam. Nowadays Oman is a
modern nation state with an economy fueled by oil and gas production,
which has allowed the development of a modern infrastructure as per the
vision of HM Sultan Qaboos, and is being done responsibly and with
respect to tradition.
Dr Amelia Sanchis Vidal, a professor of ecclesiastic law at the University of Cordoba, commended the Paradigm Foundation of Cordoba for its good work, and was especially grateful to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs for this eye-opening exhibition. She said "it was especially nice to get to know something about the Sultanate of Oman and nice to have some surprises, to learn things you did not know and did not expect." She then took the opportunity to introduce the FORO DE CÓRDOBA promoting intercultural dialogue. The inaugural conference (2013) will be a forum on multiculturalism, pluriculturalism and religions, with emphasis on the legal status of religions in society; the relationship of individuals, states and religious beliefs; and the role of feminism in religions and society.
http://www.tolerancia-religiosa.es/exposiciones-islam-oman/biblioteca-viva-al-andalus0/
Dr Amelia Sanchis Vidal, a professor of ecclesiastic law at the University of Cordoba, commended the Paradigm Foundation of Cordoba for its good work, and was especially grateful to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs for this eye-opening exhibition. She said "it was especially nice to get to know something about the Sultanate of Oman and nice to have some surprises, to learn things you did not know and did not expect." She then took the opportunity to introduce the FORO DE CÓRDOBA promoting intercultural dialogue. The inaugural conference (2013) will be a forum on multiculturalism, pluriculturalism and religions, with emphasis on the legal status of religions in society; the relationship of individuals, states and religious beliefs; and the role of feminism in religions and society.
http://www.tolerancia-religiosa.es/exposiciones-islam-oman/biblioteca-viva-al-andalus0/
