Final day of the International Conference

The last working day of the International conference (313-2012), on May 5 at the Center Hotel in Novi Sad, with the blessing of the host, His Grace Bishop Dr Irinej of Backa, moderator of this stage of the meeting, Rev. Rüdiger Noll, gave the foreword to John Kinahan, the representative of the Forum 18 organization which role is the protection of human religious rights.

The main topic of Mr. Kinahan's presentation were testimonies of various examples of reprisals by the state authorities toward religious institutions and performing religious rites.

Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community of Serbia, Effendi  Adem Zilkic addressed the participants of the conference with a presentation and lecture about Islamophobia.

Then Professor Dr Bogoljub Sijakovic began with his exposure on a theme of Secularism. Moderator of the conference, Rev. Rudiger Noll, expressed his confusion with the fact that Mr. Sijakovic talked about secularism, since he was state secretary of the Ministry of Faith and Diaspora in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, but also a lecturer at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology.

Their final word at the meeting gave Rev. Rudiger Noll, Rev. MSci Patrick Roger, academician Professor Dr Vojislav Stanovcic, His Grace Bishop Dr Irinej of Backa, Effendi Adem Zilkic, Mr. John Kinahan, Professor Dr Darko Tanaskovic, His Excellency Apostolic nuncio, monsignor Orlando Antonini and at the end Mrs. Ana Havarinen, a member of the Finnish Ecumenical Council.

His Grace Bishop Dr Irinej of Backa concluded the conference with prayerful words of thanksgiving to God, for this meeting and with gratefullness to all participants for their contribution.

Source: Diocese of Backa