Between Cultural Diversity and Common Heritage

Silvio Ferrari is Professor of Law and Religion at the Universities of Milan and Leuven. He has been Visiting professor at the University of California (Berkeley, 1994 and 2001), the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies (London, 1998-99) and the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Paris, Sorbonne, 2004). His main fields of interest are law and religion in Europe, comparative law of religions (particularly Jewish law, Canon law and Islamic law) and the Vatican policy in the Middle East. He has published widely on these and related areas. Andrea Benzo is Head of the Economic and Commercial Affairs Section of the Italian Embassy in Riyadh. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Macerata (Italy) in Canon and Ecclesiastical Law. His main fields of interest are law and religion in the Middle East and the role of religion in international relations.

• Between Cultural Diversity and Common Heritage

’This book opens up different perspectives on an ancient and still unsolved issue. It provides new tools to deal with the complex question of the sacred places in an innovative and constructive way and contains a Declaration for their protection that is based on an accurate analysis of the religious, legal and political significance of the most important sacred places of the Mediterranean. It will be of great interest to politicians, diplomats and scholars.’ Cesare Mirabelli, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy and former President of the Italian Constitutional Court ’These essays by distinguished scholars offer a thoughtful insight into the way sacred places of the three monotheistic religions in the Mediterranean have forged European cultural identity. Furthermore, they provide the reader with carefully thought out legal and administrative policies with regard to their protection and access.’ Ismini Kriari, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greece