The Western world need not be afraid of Islam, said the
Archbishop of Rabat, Monsignor Vincent Landel in an interview published on
Monday by French daily "La Croix."
"The Western world should think of a Muslim as a friend," he said,
stressing that "we need not be apprehensive of Islam, but rather respect
it and listen to what it says to engage in a dialogue of confidence and not one
of fear."
"We want to tell the world and the church altogether that it is possible
to live one's faith in the heart of Islam, experience deep friendships with
Muslims, and work with them in full confidence," he added.
"We must be aware of the fact that we, too, are looking for the path of
God and that by dealing daily with our Muslim bothers, we deepen our faith and
get even further within the path of prayer," Monsignor Vincent Landel went
on.
Emphasizing on Moroccans' attachment to the Islamic religion, he noted that
Christians are often seen as prayer men and women. "That's why we are
respected," he went on. The Archbishop of Rabat, Monsignor Vincent Landel,
who termed the presence of the Catholic Church in Morocco as "a great
chance," said that 30,000 Christians, representing some seventy
nationalities, are currently living in Morocco.