Members of AMMWEC and Sharaka with President Isaac Herzog of Israel
Peacemakers from US, UAE, & Pakistan on Special Interfaith Mission
On May 7th, under the auspices of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) and Sharaka, a delegation of peacemakers from the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan embarked on a special interfaith mission: to see how Arabs and Israelis are building bridges, says an AMMWEC release. It adds:
In the spirit of the Abraham Accords, our aim was to transcend our differences and find common ground to build a better future for all humanity. AMMWEC aims to build bridges of understanding on a human level and learn more about the cultures and faith traditions in Israel and the UAE. During this trip we were able to better educate ourselves and strengthen the bond between the Abrahamic faiths.
Our itinerary included a meeting with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and members of the Knesset such as Ruth Wasserman-Lande Co-Chair of Abraham Accords Caucus, and Amichai Chikli. We visited the Peres Center for Peace, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, and the Druze community in the North of Israel, and we learned about the security threats Israel faces at the Golan Heights. We concluded our trip in Israel with Dr Dalia Fadila from Atitda, the Arab Youth movement inside Israel, and a visit to the holy sites sacred to Abrahamic faiths.
During our time in the UAE, we met with academics and diplomats committed to bringing peace to the Middle East. We visited the B’Huth Dubai Public Policy Research Center and met with its Director General Mohammed Baharoon. We connected with the growing Jewish community of Dubai and we attended the memorial service they hosted after the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Lastly, we attended a service at the Sikh gurdwara and met with members of the community.
Our team consisted of several women board members from AMMWEC, the Director of the International Religious Secretariat, Board members from Texas A&M University, and renowned businessmen. The delegation also joined Fishel Benkhald, one of the last living Jews from Pakistan.
Together with our male allies, we feel a responsibility to constantly seek avenues of friendship and fraternity to change the world for the better. As faith leaders, and as Muslims, we seek to emulate Prophet Muhammad and his role modeling of interfaith outreach.
Thank you for your support!. I look forward to sharing more developments in the months ahead.
- Anila Ali
President, AMMWEC
