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Professor Tariq Ramadan is a man of no need to introduction. He holds MA in Philosophy and French literature and PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Geneva. In Cairo, Egypt he received one-on-one intensive training in classic Islamic scholarship from Al-Azhar University scholars. Tariq Ramadan is Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University (Oriental Institute, St Antony’s College ). He is also teaching at the Faculty of Theology at Oxford. He is at the same time a Visiting Professor in Qatar (Faculty of Islamic Studies) and in Morocco (Mundiapolis) and a Senior Research Fellow at Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan).[/symple_box]
My visit to the town of Daloa was a nice surprise. I met some very active and serious people; women as well as men, including a brother who I felt I have known for a long time: Imam Adama Samagassi. He is the artisan behind the work being done there, a presence of the heart, with a communicative energy. An example for us all.
We visited two local projects funded by individuals in the local community; step by step, stone by stone, penny by penny. A hospital for local needs, thought up in consideration with the available human resources and means. Truly impressive. It is one such local initiative that becomes a success by the commitment of so many dedicated and sincere anonymous people.
There was also an organization dedicated to micro-credit, Al-Barakat, which is mobilizing more than 2900 small investors and driving more than 200 projects of small and medium enterprises, agricultural projects and the like. With a self-financed structure for nearly seven years now; without interest, and with a participatory dynamic in thought on the short and medium term. A great initiative that combines professionalism, solidarity and respect to principles.
Far from noise, controversies and media coverage, these women and men are committed, with Islam in their heart, to promote health, economic solidarity and well-being for all: Muslims, as well as people of other faiths or with no faith. Great projects, among millions of others that must be made more visible. Thank you to those agents of change in Daloa. You offered me your smiles, your energy, your strength and love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
