French
Otherness and nationalisms, the threat of identity to openness
This talk addresses the issue of Islam and otherness from the perspective of Christians in the Middle East. At the heart of the multiple constructions of identity since the mid-nineteenth century is the thorny question of citizenship. A main ingredient in the context of the Nahda and the nationalisms that derive from it, it accompanies the multiple reflections and actions of these Christians during the post-Ottoman era, giving rise to philosophical, theological, political or ideological systems. Inviting the Muslim partner to a compatible conception of otherness constitutes the essence of this aspiration to citizenship. Rereading this historical path highlights the capacities and limits of otherness in the context mentioned. It also sheds light on the current reflection of those Christians who are facing a state of identity reconfiguration, not to say crisis, which could compromise their openness, and consequently, their cultural contribution.
Conference given during the 3rd international congress of the PLURIEL network, from 23 to 27 May 2022 in Beirut.
In partnership with Saint Joseph University of Beirut and La Sagesse University.
Cette intervention aborde la question de l’islam et de l’altérité à partir de la perspective des chrétiens du Proche-Orient. Au cœur des multiples constructions identitaires depuis la moitié du XIXe siècle, se trouve l’épineuse question de la citoyenneté. Ingrédient principal dans le contexte de la Nahda et des nationalismes qui en dérivent, elle accompagne les réflexions et les actions multiples de ces chrétiens durant l’ère post-ottomane, donnant naissance à des systèmes philosophiques, théologiques, politiques ou idéologiques. Convier le partenaire musulman à une conception de l’altérité, compatible, constitue l’essence de cette aspiration à la citoyenneté. Relire ce chemin historique souligne les capacités et les limites de l’altérité dans le contexte évoqué. Cela éclaire de même la réflexion actuelle de ces chrétiens qui font face à un état de reconfiguration identitaire, pour ne pas dire de crise, ce qui pourrait compromettre leur ouverture, et par conséquent, leur contribution culturelle.
Conférence donnée lors du 3è congrès international du réseau PLURIEL, du 23 au 27 mai 2022 à Beyrouth.
En partenariat avec l’Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth et l’Université La Sagesse.
تعالجُ هذه المداخلةُ مسألة الإسلام والغيريّة من وجهة نظر مسيحيّي الشرق الأدنى. في جوهرِ هيكليّات الهويّة المتعدّدة، تكمن مسألة المواطنة الشائكة منذ منتصف القرن التاسع عشر وتشكّلُ المكوّن الرئيس في سياق النهضة والقوميات المستمدة منها، فترافقُ تأمّلات هؤلاء المسيحيّين وأفعالهم المتعددة في خلال حقبة ما بعد العثمانيين، ذلك أنّها أدّت إلى ولادةِ أنظمة فلسفية أو لاهوتية أو سياسية أو أيديولوجية. من هنا تشكّلُ دعوةُ الشريك المسلم إلى رؤية الآخر الندّ جوهرَ هذا التطلّع إلى المواطنة. تؤكّد إعادةُ قراءةِ هذا المسار التاريخي على قدرات الغيريّة وحدودها في السياق المذكورِ كما توضّحُ التفكيرَ الحالي لهؤلاء المسيحيين الذين يواجهون حالةً من إعادة تشكيل الهوية، أشبه بأزمة، من شأنها أن تعرّضَ انفتاحَهم وبالتالي مساهمتهم الثقافية للخطرِ.
أُلقيت هذه المحاضرة في خلال المؤتمر الثالث الذي نظّمته شبكة PLURIEL من 23 إلى 27 أيّار/مايو 2022 في بيروت، بالشراكة مع جامعة القدّيس يوسف في بيروت وجامعة الحكمة.
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