Imam And Rabbi Summit Yields New Friendships Article - News And Life Style Religion Articles

	1888 Articles Home \| News and Life Style Articles \| Religion Articles	Religion RSS
Imam and Rabbi Summit Yields New Friendships

In an unprecedented event in the United States, rabbis and imams from across the country gathered in New York City to talk peace and friendship. Under the guidance of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, this gathering set out to forge an unnatural alliance of sorts, and they did just that.

Author: Eirini Vourloumis

Article Tools:

Jewish and Islamic religious leaders from across the country took part in the First National Summit of Imams and Rabbi’s in New York City, last week. The event organized by the Foundation of Ethnic Understanding (FFEU) and the Islamic Cultural Center of New York was created to strengthen ties and to underscore the importance of positive communication and open dialogue between the two religions.

The first part of the summit was held in the New York Synagogue headed by Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the FFEU. The event continued at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, organized by sheik Abu- Namous.

“Whether Jewish or Muslim, we are all American,” said Rabbi Marc Schneier president of the FFEU. “There is a value system and culture that we share- these must be embraced and nurtured.”

The structure of the summit was influenced by two similar conferences that have taken place in Europe over the past two years. Inter-faith events are common in religious communities across the United States, but this is the first that focuses solely on Jewish and Islamic relations through their respective clergy. Rabbi Schneier spoke of two growing trends that influenced his decision to organize the event. The first is the rising number of Muslims in the United States, who are increasingly living side-by-side with Jews. The second is the growing “clash of civilizations” between Islam and the West.

“Muslims are a minority in the United States, said Syed Zaheer-Ul- Hassan the imam of Jafira Islamic Center of Middlefield, Connecticut. “We needed the Jewish community who is more powerful to open the door for us to welcome this dialogue between the two sides. This is a historical moment we are all proud to be a part of.”

The Palestinian Israeli conflict was not formally discussed. The focus of the summit concentrated on exploring community-based work organized by both religious communities and possible joint actions between them in the United States. Presentations and panel discussions focused on issues ranging from comparing religious text, breaking religious stereotypes, poverty, extremism and discrimination.

“We must stop being distracted by political hot bed issues that divide us in the Middle East and learn to relate to each other within the context of being an American” said Schneier.

One of the panels titled, “Creating a Common Agenda: Potential Area of Cooperation Between Synagogues and Mosques in America”, was presented by Imam Khalid Latif and Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, both religious youth leaders at New York University. Their collaboration has been so successful that they have instigated the founding of the first multi-religious center at the University.

“These two young men show us to go beyond just dialogue and exchanging of ideas,” stated Imam Shamsi Ali, deputy imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. “They are the next generation of leaders who are actually taking action to create a more meaningful and productive dialogue between the two religions.”

The event culminated at Kosher restaurant Abigail’s, acceptable for Halal requirements as well, with speeches presented by Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons, chairman of the FFEU, HE Ambassador Abdul Wahab, the permanent observer of the organization of the Islamic Conference to the United Nations and former Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress.

"In your synagogues and mosques country-wide you have the capacity to reinforce the positive and to help create a better understanding between Jews and Muslims among local communities," said Lauder, as he addressed the imams and rabbis in attendance.

The day culminated with the acceptance of a joint statement and commitment to take this experience and expand on it in their individual states. Also, it was decided that the first national weekend of “twinning” should be planned for November 2008. This event will focus on joint activities between the two religious communities across the United States.

About Author

I am a recent of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. I have written for Manhattan Media, The Queens Chronicle, the Columbia Journalist, Athens News and Kathimerini newspaper in Athens, Greece. As a freelance photojournalist I have been published in the Village Voice, the Independent and West Side Spirit and numerous publications in Athens, Greece.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com

Imam and Rabbi Summit Yields New Friendships