Category: VIRTUOUS en

On 5 February, the Euro-Arab Foundation took part in a simulation exercise organised in Rome within the framework of the European project VIRTUOUS, aimed at assessing the level of awareness and preparedness of religious representatives in the face of security threats to places of worship. The activity brought together representatives of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, as well as members of various law enforcement agencies and security experts from different European Union countries.

The event opened with statements from religious representatives and members of the VIRTUOUS project consortium, who highlighted freedom of religion as a fundamental right in democratic societies, stressing that the protection and security of places of worship are essential conditions for its effective exercise. The Euro-Arab Foundation was represented at the meeting by José María González Riera, Deputy Director for Research and Projects and VIRTUOUS Coordinator at the Foundation.

The exercise was followed by a training session in which various methods for protecting places of worship were analysed and put into practice, including risk assessment, techniques for identifying suspicious behaviours and situations, as well as de-escalation strategies and crisis management.

The activity also coincided with the celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week, proclaimed by the United Nations, which was reflected in the atmosphere of cooperation, mutual respect and interreligious understanding fostered among all participants throughout the exercise.

About the VIRTUOUS Project

The VIRTUOUS project is a European Union–funded initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience and security of places of worship through cooperation between religious communities, public authorities and security experts. The project promotes the exchange of good practices, specialised training and the development of practical tools to prevent risks, manage crises and protect both people and places of worship, always with full respect for fundamental rights and religious diversity.

VIRTUOUS officially began its second year of implementation with the Consortium Meeting held in Rome on 4 February. This third in-person meeting allowed partner organisations to review the main achievements to date, as well as to define and coordinate the remaining tasks to be developed. The simulation exercise held on 5 February marked the conclusion of activities related to the state of the art on terrorist attacks and risk and vulnerability assessment.

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies recently participated in a transnational meeting of the VIRTUOUS project, held in Thessaloniki (Greece). During this meeting, the partners of this project – funded by the European Commission’s Internal Security Fund (ISF) – reviewed progress, shared knowledge, and planned the next steps to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative on the protection of places of worship.

A press conference was also held to showcase the project’s progress to local stakeholders, demonstrating its practical contribution to community security and collaboration across sectors. The press conference emphasized the project’s strong commitment to improving community security, fostering cooperation among the actors involved, and delivering tangible results across the participating countries.

Professor Nikolaos Dimitriadis, President of the Center for Ecumenical, Apostolic, and Environmental Studies (CEMES), emphasized the symbolic and practical importance of protecting sacred spaces. “Places of worship represent not only faith but the foundation of peaceful coexistence. Thessaloniki has long been a city where Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived together harmoniously. Protecting these spaces is essential to preserving that legacy,” he stated. 

Likewise, the press conference highlighted that ensuring security in religious sites is not only about physical protection but also about strengthening resilience, fostering interfaith understanding, and maintaining public trust. A message of support from the Office of the Prime Minister of Greece further reinforced the importance of such initiatives. 

The VIRTUOUS Project continues to advocate for coordinated measures that combine faith, knowledge, and community engagement, showing that true security is built on collaboration and solidarity across religious and societal lines.