Re:Peaceful revolution beginning across
Muslim-Jewish divide, Nov. 23
I want to congratulate the organizers of the wonderful twinning of the Muslim and Jewish communities this past weekend. Our synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, was involved in this event and it was an extraordinary experience for all who were able to attend. We were made to feel so welcome at the Noor Centre, where we participated in their prayer service on Friday afternoon. On Friday evening, their members prayed at our temple, followed by a Shabbat dinner where the tables held a lively mix of Muslims and Jews.
The central theme of the weekend was one of family, the family of Abraham, patriarch to both religions. We heard from their Imam how we are brothers and cousins. The Torah portion on Saturday spoke of the death of Abraham, and how his sons, Isaac and Ishmael, came together to bury their father. On Sunday morning, we were asked to consider in a round table discussion at the Noor Centre how these two brothers might have felt, confronting each other after so many years of estranged separation. What words might they have spoken? Was it possible to imagine a peaceful reconciliation? The morning concluded all too quickly, leaving us looking forward to continuing the conversation.
I hope this past weekend was just a first step in the bringing together of our two communities. It is a valuable program that warrants repeating and expansion.
Helen Poizner, Toronto
As a Muslim family, we have visited and prayed in mosques, mandirs and churches, but never in a synagogue – until this past weekend. What an experience! It was edifying, educational and most of all hopeful. We discovered that as "cousins," Jews and Muslims have so much in common, believing in and praying to the One Supreme Force and our commitment to social justice.
By focusing on our commonalities and through ongoing dialogue, we can easily overcome the challenges confronting our two "families." Now, that both the Noor Cultural Centre and Emanu-El synagogue have extended open invitations to visit, dine, educate and pray with each other, we hope that those who did not participate in this historic weekend would seize this opportunity to do so in future.
Faizal Kayum, Markham
Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, New York, must be commended for taking this initiative and Haroon Siddiqui for bringing it to the fore. By opening the doors of synagogues and mosques, Jews and Muslims provide epoch-making prospects to a new dawn of understanding. More than ever before, these independent religious communities and cultures have come to terms with the reality of the interdependence of all humanity. Our very survival on this planet is dependent on our successfully navigating these inter-religious oceans.
In the present context, those who seek to hold in balance religious otherness and common humanity tread a narrow path. The globalized and consumer culture works at reducing differences. Nationalist and communalist self-assertion tends to magnify them.
As followers of Abrahamic religions, I strongly believe that it is our moral and spiritual responsibility to overcome obstacles by building bridges of understanding between each other. In a common search for human well-being, both people recognize that there is a compelling human bond that binds all of us together, wherein the scriptures call God's creation a family. And as a family, we can go beyond our own community for the common good of all. This does not diminish our faith but rather enhances it.
It can also result in a willingness to turn our attention to common challenges like globalization, the environment and poverty.
Javed Akbar, Markham
Having recently returned from Israel, we heard from Israelis across the political spectrum that Haroon Siddiqui is correct, and there is broad support for a separate Palestinian state and a Jewish democratic state. Having had the privilege and pleasure of working with a number of Muslims in two very different work environments, I have learned how similar Jewish and Muslim values are. Dialogue can occur, but it requires trust and a willingness to listen. Neither can be mandated, but can only be built over time. Hopefully we are seeing the beginning of that process.
Marcia Zalev, Toronto
