By Stefano Davide Bettera<\/p>\n\n
At a time marked by identity-based conflicts, geopolitical tensions and growing cultural polarisation, interfaith dialogue remains one of the most valuable instruments for building mutual understanding and fostering peace. It is against this backdrop that the event \u201cBuddhism Meets Islam\u201d, held on 9 May in Brussels as part of the General Assembly of the European Buddhist Union (EBU) and the celebrations of Vesak\u2014the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar\u2014takes on particular significance.<\/p>\n\n
The initiative is noteworthy not only for its symbolic value but also for its institutional context. It places Buddhist\u2013 Muslim dialogue within the framework of European institutions and the activities linked to Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which governs dialogue between EU institutions and religious communities. Earlier in 2026, the European Muslim Leaders Majlis (EULEMA) had already promoted a number of interfaith meetings at the European Parliament involving Christian, Jewish and Buddhist representatives. For the EBU, meanwhile, the event formed part of a broader focus on religious freedom and the rights of Buddhist minorities in Europe, a central theme of its 2026 General Assembly.<\/p>\n\n
From an institutional perspective, the meeting represents one of the first recent examples of structured cooperation between organised European Muslim leadership and the representative bodies of European Buddhism. Its objective is ambitious yet timely: to create a shared platform addressing religious freedom, dialogue and social cohesion within the European context.<\/p>\n\n
Organised with the participation of EULEMA, the gathering brought together Buddhist and Muslim representatives from across Europe to reflect on the contribution religious traditions can make to contemporary society. Beyond its symbolic importance, what makes the meeting particularly remarkable is its innovative nature. Structured dialogue between Buddhism and Islam has been relatively rare in Europe, where interfaith engagement has historically focused on relations between Christianity, Judaism and Islam.<\/p>\n\n
This emphasis has reflected both the continent\u2019s religious heritage and the challenges associated with the integration of Muslim communities. Buddhism, although increasingly established and recognised within European societies, has often remained on the margins of these conversations. The Brussels meeting therefore marks a genuine milestone: the beginning of a direct dialogue between two spiritual traditions which, despite emerging from very different geographical and cultural contexts, share aspirations towards peace, compassion, ethical responsibility and the alleviation of human suffering.<\/p>\n\n
The choice of Brussels as the venue was far from accidental. As the heart of European institutions and a crossroads of cultures and worldviews, the Belgian capital provides a uniquely appropriate setting for developing new forms of cooperation among religious communities. In this sense, the dialogue between Buddhism and Islam carries not only a spiritual dimension but also a civic and political one. It is not merely about encouraging mutual understanding; it is also about contributing to a more inclusive European citizenship grounded in respect for diversity and the appreciation of pluralism.<\/p>\n\n
Participants stressed that authentic dialogue does not require individuals to abandon their convictions. On the contrary, it demands a deeper awareness of one\u2019s own spiritual identity. Only those firmly rooted in their own tradition can engage openly with others without fear or prejudice. Seen from this perspective, the encounter between Buddhists and Muslims was not an exercise in religious diplomacy but a practical opportunity to recognise one another as partners capable of sharing common concerns and common responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n
Particular attention was given to issues of religious freedom, human dignity and social cohesion. In increasingly fragmented societies, religious communities can play an important role in fostering relationships based on trust, countering both forms of extremism and the marginalisation of minority groups. Buddhists and Muslims, while representing very different traditions, often share the experience of being religious minorities in European countries and face similar challenges relating to recognition, representation and participation in public life.<\/p>\n\n
The Brussels initiative may therefore mark the beginning of a process that will continue to develop in the years ahead. If dialogue among Christians, Jews and Muslims has been one of the great laboratories of coexistence in contemporary Europe, engagement between Buddhism and Islam could open a new chapter in interfaith relations, further enriching the culture of pluralism and freedom that lies at the heart of the European project.<\/p>\n\n
At a time when differences are too often perceived as threats, the meeting between Buddhists and Muslims demonstrated an alternative path: one based on mutual understanding, attentive listening and practical cooperation. It is a path that does not seek to erase differences but rather to transform them into opportunities for shared growth. Perhaps this is the most important lesson to emerge from Brussels: the recognition that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the capacity to build meaningful relationships among individuals and communities who choose to recognise one another in the common pursuit of the good.<\/p>\n\n
Stefano Davide Bettera is a writer, philosopher and journalist. He alternates his work as an author with teaching. For more information: www.stefanobettera.com<\/p>\n\n
This article first appeared in EBU Magazine #15 \u2013 Practicing in Turbulent Times<\/a> (Autumn 2026). Download the full issue as PDF or browse all issues<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On 9 May 2026 the EBU and the European Muslim Leaders Council (EULEMA) held the first structured Buddhist\u2013Muslim dialogue in Brussels. 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