Paris, France—The 20th Dialogue & Alliance meeting to read and discuss the scriptures of various faiths focused on the theme "God in the Feminine."
A unique feature of the meeting on December 11, 2022, was that it was held in several locations simultaneously, notably in Geneva, Switzerland (eight participants); Loos (four participants) and Orsay (nine participants) in France; Bamako, Mali (five participants); and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (13 participants). In addition, participants from 22 countries connected to the meeting online.
The meeting organizers were honored by the online presence of Dr. Eileen Barker, a professor of sociology and a distinguished fellow of the London School of Economics, and Morgana Sythove, a trustee of the World Council of the United Religions Initiative.
The moderator of the meeting was Chantal Komagata, the UPF coordinator for Europe and also the UPF secretary general for Switzerland.
The first reading brought a view of Judaism: Don Aristide De-Carli, a Jewish theologian and the president of the Swiss Society for Spiritual Assistance, commented on an adaptation of the text Sepher ha-Zohar (the Book of Splendor): Esoteric Doctrine of the Israelites.
Professor Olivier Bauer, a Protestant theologian and professor of practical theology at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, then explained why he advocates a more inclusive version of Jesus’ prayer, beginning with "Our Mother and Father who art in heaven."
As a short musical break, a video was shown of the young Cameroonian gospel singer Stetchie performing the French version of "You Raise Me Up."
The third reading, Quran VII.156, was commented on by Professor Eric Geoffroy, a specialist in Islamic thought and spirituality, professor emeritus at the University of Strasbourg, France, and author of Allah au féminin.
The fourth reading, extracted from the book Mother of Peace, the memoir of UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, was commented on by Brigitte Wada, president of the French chapter of Women’s Federation for World Peace, an organization that is affiliated with UPF.
After a question-and-answer session, the Islamologist Dr. Mouslim Fidahoussen gave a review of the year 2022.
The Venerable Michel Thao Chan, the founder of the Circle of Reflection of Nations, and Professor Boumédiène Benyahia, the founder of the Kalima Institute, also intervened spontaneously.
Finally Jean-François Moulinet, the coordinator of Dialogue & Alliance, spoke about the theme of the meetings for 2023, "Cultivating Peace Daily."
Recording of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDFfDn_4ssw