Muslims, Jews Demonstrate
Interfaith Harmony
Lathrup Village, MI: On Sunday,
September 24, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-MI) participated in a service marking the
second day of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, at the Jewish
Community Center of Washtenaw County in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The two-hour service focused on the importance of Abraham
and sacrifice in the Jewish and Islamic faiths. CAIR-MI Executive
Director Dawud Walid addressed the congregation for approximately
20 minutes and fielded numerous questions about Islam after
the service.
CAIR-MI was invited to participate at the same location for
the fast-breaking service of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of
Atonement, on October 2, which again falls during the month
of Ramadan in which Muslims also fast.
Meanwhile in Sacramento Senator Carole Migden, (D-San Francisco
& North Bay) and Assembly Member Paul Koretz, (D-West
Hollywood) announced September 25 that they will be joined
by Sacramento area Muslim and Jewish leaders next week to
issue a joint statement regarding the coinciding Jewish and
Muslim holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan this year.
"To those who think that we are in a clash of civilizations,
I say let them come to California. Here, no one bats an eye
when Ramadan is celebrated just a day after Rosh Hashanah.
California is proof that anything - especially peace - is
possible if good people are willing to work hard and achieve
it, instead of sowing seeds of discord to further their own
political ends," Said Senator Migden. "On the eve
of solemn and holy observances among the Jewish and Muslim
people, we should all say a prayer for peace and understanding
in the world."
The statement will bring together religious organizations
and leaders such as Basim Elkarra from the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, Rabbi David Wechsler- Azen, Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen
from Congregation Beth Shalom, and the Sacramento Committee
on Conscience.
"As we welcome Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah at a time of
increased prayer we wish both communities a blessed holiday"
Said Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, Sacramento Valley Office. "We believe the
coincidence of the two holidays will be a great opportunity
for continued dialogue and to promote understanding to make
California a center of interfaith harmony."
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and beginning of the
10 days of introspection and reflection which culminates at
Yom Kippur. Ramadan is the period of daytime fasting and contemplation
which lasts for a lunar month of about 28 days. It commemorates
the transmission of the Qur'an by the archangel Gabriel to
Muhammad.
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