Muslim - Jewish Dialogue

[cnorman18]

An interesting development for fans of rationality and civilization:

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North Dallas Jewish congregation welcomes Muslim to confront prejudice as part of 'twinning' initiative

By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News

Anyone wanting to experience something different in a Jewish worship service should go to Temple Shalom in North Dallas tonight.

A Muslim will be in the pulpit as part of a new North American initiative to confront anti-Semitism and "Islamophobia."

Azhar Azeez, president of the Islamic Association of Carrollton [Texas], accepted the invitation to preach at the 6:30 p.m. service at 6930 Alpha Road.

"We're excited and honored," said Rabbi Jeremy Schneider of Temple Shalom. Fifty synagogues and mosques across the United States and Canada, representing about 100,000 Jews and Muslims, are holding what's called The Weekend of Twinning.

It's an effort to pair, or twin, Jewish and Muslim congregations for interfaith dialogue. Temple Shalom and the Islamic Association of Carrollton are the Texas congregations participating.

The Weekend of Twinning grew out of the National Summit of Imams and Rabbis, held last year in New York and hosted by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. Rabbi Schneider, assistant to Temple Shalom's senior rabbi, Andrew Paley, was one of 10 rabbis and 10 imams invited to be part of that summit. "The irrational fear of Islam is something that is prevalent in our community, and I'm proud to be part of programs that seek to confront this," he said.

Mr. Azeez will devote his sermon tonight to challenging members of both faiths. "It's about time Muslims and Jews come together to speak out against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia," he said.

On Saturday, Temple Shalom will have what it calls Synaplex Shabbat, consisting of simultaneous programs. A 9:30 a.m. session will feature Mohamed Elibiary, president and chief executive officer of the Carrollton-based Freedom and Justice Foundation, speaking on "Homegrown Extremism: Addressing Radical Islam in America."

http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/n ... ca23f.html

[McCulloch]

Go ahead, strive for peace and mutual understanding. But realize that in doing so, you might set the atheist conspiracy back a few years.

[cnorman18]

Go ahead, strive for peace and mutual understanding. But realize that in doing so, you might set the atheist conspiracy back a few years.

Oh, crap, you guys are onto us. I better wire Achmed and tell him the secret merger is off....

[JoeyKnothead]

A small step that could lead quite far. Let us know how it goes.

[cnorman18]

A small step that could lead quite far. Let us know how it goes.

Not the first such step. There are a number of peace organizations in Israel that include both Jews and Muslims, and cooperative camps for Jewish and Arab kids have been around for decades. I know of many long-lasting friendships between Arabs and Jews (my late friend Morry, a Jew, had a Muslim/Arab "brother" for many years) and even intermarriages are no longer uncommon.

[hado]

Salaam/Shalom
for me guys I believe that Islam is more closer to Judaism than Christianity
but probably due to Jews - Muslims conflict in holy land we get problem with each others otherwise concept of G-D in Judaism is so similar to what exist in Islam..
I pray to God that he protect familes in Holy Land and finish any war any place and may Allah bless our sick world and cure it from hatred and misunderstanding
with best regards..

[cnorman18]

Salaam/Shalom
....I pray to God that he protect familes in Holy Land and finish any war any place and may Allah bless our sick world and cure it from hatred and misunderstanding
with best regards..

Omayn, my brother, and peace to you.

[JoeyKnothead]

Salaam/Shalom
for me guys I believe that Islam is more closer to Judaism than Christianity
but probably due to Jews - Muslims conflict in holy land we get problem with each others otherwise concept of G-D in Judaism is so similar to what exist in Islam..
I pray to God that he protect familes in Holy Land and finish any war any place and may Allah bless our sick world and cure it from hatred and misunderstanding
with best regards..

I'm proud to see a Muslim state this, the world needs to hear these voices.