Although Mali is facing a difficult phase that puts its coexistence at risk, the Community of Sant'Egidio in Bamako has accepted Pope Francis' invitation to celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy. It is also an opportunity to meet and talk with the Muslim youth. Specifically, hundreds of young people gathered for a conference to discover what unites and to put aside what divides.
The speakers were Etienne Coulibaly and Idrissa Yarga (a Christian and a Muslim that come from the Interfaith Center Faith and Encounter). In particular, they both emphasized the wealth of good that flows from believers who love the holy book and practice compassion for their neighbor: "Mercy unites and makes a person capable of forgiveness. It even makes one a good believer who wants to build a common home where we live peacefully together among different individuals."
During the meeting, Christian and Muslim young people discussed the theme of charity and welcoming the poor. For instance, someone said: "Mercy is having a heart that beats for the poor; the Scriptures tell us there is a predilection for the poor, widows, and orphans in God's heart."
The conference is the first in a series of events that are organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio during this jubilee year in Mali. It is a way to promote dialogue between different faiths and new generations, which precisely in mercy and the poor find the ideal ground for building together a peaceful and more just society for everyone.
