Shamsi Ali
An Imam and Interfaith activists in US & co-author of Sons of Abraham:
issues that unite and divide Jews and Muslims with Rabbi Marc Schneier
BERITAPOPULER.CO.ID – It’s an undeniable fact that interfaith dialogue among people of faith has tremendously advanced the understanding, relations and partnership of peoples of diverse backgrounds. This trend planted its roots as a result of shared challenges all faced in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragic event in 2001.
In this regard to being home to the 9/11 tragedy, the USA has a unique experience when it comes to the interfaith. It’s unique because the courage to be involved in interfaith emerged in the face of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment. America was highly upset and deeply suspicious of their Muslim counterparts. Yet, America was able to overcome and move on to build good and harmonious relationships between all its inhabitants, including Muslims.
On the other hand, despite of the very intense and highly Islamophobic and anti-Muslim sentiment among many Americans, the Muslim community was able to put all of that aside and look into a larger vision. They learned to open up and moved out of their communal enclave to build communication and relations with other communities.
One of the unique and most important engagements in the US and beyond is the interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims. This is without any doubt rare and unique because all know that these two communities have deep suspicions to one another, both based on religious scriptures as well as historical background.
But what made it even more seemingly impossible when it comes to Jewish-Muslim relations was the existence of an 800 pounds elephant in the room. And that’s the Middle East conflicts, particularly the classic conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Both sides have the sense of representation; Muslims represent Palestinians and Jews represent Israel.
These emotional connections by the Jews to the Israelis and the Muslims to the Palestinians made the dialogue between the two communities more challenging. Despite all these, the Jewish-Muslim dialogue has been progressing since it began in 2005. I can proudly say I have been among those in the frontline to build dialogue and cooperation between the two communities.
Surely an event such as the on going massacres in both Palestine and Israel turns the Jewish and Muslim dialogue sour. But as we began the journey, it must continue till we arrive in the promised land. Peace is that shared promised land.
We must not give up to the evil that is taking place. Instead we will continue the path of dialogue regardless whom we may see as right or wrong in this conflict. Our criterion of the truth is peace and justice, not violence and oppression.
In fact, it’s become even more incumbent on both Muslims and Jews to embolden their dialogue and cooperation to create a conducive environment for both Palestinians and Israelis to engage in a civic and civilized way to possibly achieve a lasting solution to the conflict and peace in the Middle East.
For this purpose we may each of us turn to ourselves and ask: “what does it mean for me to be religious? Is it a part of the problems or is it a way to a solution?”.
More importantly, without the tendency to undermine the importance of Palestinian cause for the Muslims and of the Israelis for the Jews, we must also realize that both of the communities face the same challenges in the West. Islamophobia and anti Semitism are equally high and the rise of White Nationalists (Supremacy) in the US makes it even more challenging.
Our path is tested. But we must continue the path of dialogue and cooperation with courage and purpose. Remember, there are more common interests than things that may divide us. Not only that Jews and Muslims have a common faith, both also have common fate.
Let us together push the possibilities of peace in the Middle East, raising our hands to the heaven, praying to God to open the hearts and minds of both Palestinians and Israelis to engage in the path of peace. Let us pray that one day and sooner Palestinians will have their own independent and sovereign country, a good and kind neighbor to their vibrant and prosperous State of Israel.
May peace and justice prevail in the Middle East and around the world. Amin!. (*)
