As the end of the year rapidly approaches, there will be many moments when I step back from what I'm doing, reflect on the people who I have been fortunate to surround myself with, and take time to reflect on our accomplishments together. I recently had one of those moments with my friend and colleague at The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), Rabbi Marc Schneier.
FFEU and Rabbi Schneier were in Brussels, Belgium yesterday bringing together more than 50 Muslim and Jewish leaders from across the European continent for a round of interfaith talks.
Coordinated in conjunction with the World Jewish Congress and the European Jewish Congress, yesterday's gathering included a personal audience with the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. President Van Rompuy endorsed the efforts of the Muslim and Jewish leaders to build new bridges of friendship between the two communities.
It is no secret that relations between Jews and Muslims in many European nations are terse at best. Among the imams and rabbis present, there were representatives from Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States in attendance. Some would argue that simply bringing these leaders to the same table is an accomplishment in itself. But having them pledge to jointly work together to combat Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and to find ways to ensure that all religious minorities are able to practice freely, is a feat some would claim to be impossible. But, that is exactly what took place yesterday, and I couldn't be prouder of Rabbi Schneier and his fellow rabbis and imams who not only took on this challenge but embraced it.
For years now, I've been intimately involved in cross-cultural and interfaith advocacy with Rabbi Schneier. I've watched rabbis and imams join together to combat anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. This year alone, more than 100 mosques and 100 synagogues in 22 countries on four continents performed community service, conducted interfaith services, held a virtual conference and shook hands, all committing to work together toward a more positive future.
Rabbi Schneier and I agree. All these events are promising beginnings. From Brussels, Rabbi Schneier noted: "We continue to spread the right message across Europe and around the world. The Muslim and Jewish communities must focus more on what unites us than what separates us, and not allow any extremist to gain the upper hand."
At the opening session yesterday, Iman Dr. Abduljalil Sajid from Britain offered prayers mentioning the victims of the recent forest fire in Israel and flooding in Pakistan.
No matter what continent we live on, disasters like these provide constant reminders that our lives are fragile and our differences are small.
I too join the Muslim and Jewish leaders in this prayer, which I believe reminds us of our God-given humanity. It is with this sentiment in our hearts that we begin the New Year.
Follow Russell Simmons on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unclerush
Paolo Rossi: Italy by Train: Traveling the Easy Way (PHOTOS)
• There are only three choices in Islam: either willing submission [i.e., conversion]; or payment of the jizya [poll-tax paid by non-Muslims], thereby bodily, though not spiritual, submission to the authority of Islam; or the sword—for it is not right to let him [an infidel] live.
The matter is summed up for every person alive: either submit, or live under the suzerainty of Islam, or die…. Such, then, is the basis of the relationship between the infidel and the Muslim.
"The pew survey also finds that Muslim publics overwhelmingly welcome Islamic influence over their countries’ politics."
http://pewglobal.org/2010/12/02/muslims-around-the-world-divided-on-hamas-and-hezbollah/
ask daniel pearl, why we cant just get along.
I don't think the Jewish and Muslim communities are taking advice. But, thanks for sharing.
The human race needs as many steps in the right direction as possible, because on our current course we might end up in a nightmare of eternal war and suffering.
God Bless.
Like 'prophets'?
“O you who believe, do not make unlawful the good things that God has made lawful to you, and DO NOT AGGRESS; GOD DOES NOT LOVE THE AGGRESSORS.†(5:87) “God guides with it whoever follows His acceptance, to the ways of peace; and it brings them out of the darkness and into the light with His permission; and it guides them to a straight path.†(5:16)
“And do not take a life, for God has made this forbidden, except in the course of justice. And whoever is killed innocently, then We have given his heir authority, so let him not transgress in the taking of a life, for He will be given victory.†(17:33) “O And let not the hatred of another people...make you aggress. And help each other in piety and righteousness, and do not help each other in sin and aggression. And be aware of God, for the retribution of God is severe.†(5:2)
   do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
   let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
   let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
   and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
   and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
   we will all share the lootâ€â€”
15 my son, do not go along with them,
   do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
   they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
   where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
   they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
   it takes away the life of those who get it.
PEOPLE can make peace between each other, others will prefer enmity. But there has been peace between whole groups of Jews and Muslims in the same place, and there can be again.
I did it, my fellow Muslim co-worker did it, so can everyone else.
That goes without saying.
The question is, "How are we going to get that to happen?"
It will only happen if and when people can agree.
The only way people will ever agree is if they learn the truth about the provision that only our Creator is able to afford to us.
some small points : both jews and arabs are semitic peoples
jews and arabs and palestinians were living in the holy land for centuries without unusual problems until the european jews arrived; called Ashkenaze apperently; people in th eknow feel that these brought a typical european prejudice against moslems with them.
Islamophobia is not a proper word [ semantically , linguistically ] It means fear of Islam but Islam is not a religion; Moslem or Mohamedan is a religion; Islam means surrender to God , a state of mind ; so islamophobia means the same as fear of God which all good christians are supposed to have as a virtue. islamophobia doesnt mean fear of moslems ;so suggestion : remedy Moslemophobia or a more sensible word anti-mohamedanism
.practically speaking fear of God tmeans the " fear " one begins to feel as one walks toward the edge of a cliff and the inner mind becomes aware of the law of gravity
I like to define the fear of God as the expectation of good things.
Not understanding what you mean, it sounds to me like you are saying the exact opposite of what most people understand "the fear of God" to be. Can you explain, please?
I thought the fear of God meant fearing what God will do if one (or a population) misbehaves.
That should be a given since God is good. We should only expect good. God is not pleased with those who withdraw in fear so there has to be two different kinds of fear, the good kind and the bad kind.
And no matter what religion we practice these problems of evil still SHOULD give everyone pause when they consider the likelihood of a all-powerful, all-good, all-knowing deity.