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Muslim Morocco using Music as a bridge between world faiths?
As Saudi Arabia held its first ever conference on interfaith dialogue Morocco is hosting its 14th festival of World Sacred Music.
The president of the festival, Mohamed Kabbaj, said:
"Religion is too important to leave to clerics alone"
There was even a Christians & Muslims performing together which was shown on France24 on its 'Culture' Magazine.
Other performers from across the globe include a Christian singing in Syriac related to Aramaic the language of Jesus (pbuh) & Indian Madhup Mudgal who will sing in Hindustani (classical Indian) even using Hindu scriptures like the Vedas. A Greek Othordox choir & other Muslim sufi perfomers also performed.
The city of Fez has been the spiritual & cultural capital of Morocco & has ties with Europe such as Andulusia, (modern day Spain) as it use to be part of the Islamic Empire where Muslims, Christians & Jews use to live & coexist peacefully. As Saudi Arabia held its first ever conference on interfaith dialogue Morocco is hosting its 14th festival of World Sacred Music. ... more -
Frances Jewish & Muslim leaders unite to encourage tolerance
The French Muslim & Jewish communities have both choosen their new leaders this sunday which are vowing to make their faith more tolerence & more openess to those outside their faiths.
Mohammed Moussaoui- the head of France's Representative Muslim Council called for launching open days for Mosques to allow the public to visit.
Gilles Bernheim- tapped to be the next Grand Rabbi of France- called for the Jewish faith to reach out to non-Jews though talks aswell as writing.
France is home to the largest Muslim & Jewish communities in Europe. The French Muslim & Jewish communities have both choosen their new leaders this sunday which are vowing to make their faith more t... more -
Mosque steps in to help raided church
A theif who strolled into St Alban's church (ilford) and stole charity money raised for Christian Aid has been replaced this week by Muslim worshippers from the nearby Ilford Mosque.
Ghazanfer Ali- Chairman of the Mosque says:
"We have a very good relationship with the church and we were all sad to hear the news. It's an absolute tragedy...We are friends and neighbours and we look after each another...There are people out and about who commit these awful crimes," he added.
Mr Ali meets with Father David Milnes on Redbridge Three Faiths Forum. A grateful Mr Milnes thanked members of the mosque.
He said: "It is a lovely gesture, I am really pleased".
Liberal Democrat Cllr Ralph Scott said:
"I'm delighted to be given this news of a practical example where one faith is being assisted by another, at a time of crisis.
"The mosque has always been an outward looking group, and shows Redbridge has reached maturity in building good community relations."
The theif is white, in his early 20's, has short hair & has a tatoo on his right arm. A theif who strolled into St Alban's church (ilford) and stole charity money raised for Christian Aid has been replaced this week... more -
Saudi king reiterates call for inter-faith dialogue
Saudi King Abdullah reiterated today a call for dialogue between Islam and other religions during a gathering of Muslim scholars to discuss eventual inter-faith talks.
"You meet today to tell the world ... that we are the voice of justice and moral human values and the voice of coexistence as well as just and reasonable dialogue," he told the opening session of the three-day International Islamic Conference in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
However, the monarch pointed out that among the major challenges now facing Muslims is combating a growing extremism.
"The challenges facing the (Muslim) nation are difficult at this time, as its enemies -- including those extremists among its own people -- have joined forces in a flagrant aggressiveness to distort the ... rightfulness and tolerance of Islam," he said.
The King said we will start the dialogue with our belief in God and added :
"The way to reach out to the other will be through the common values that were preached by God's messages, which were sent for the good of the human being,"
This comes as it was revealed in March this year that Saudi Arabia is to retrain its 40,000 imams in a bid to counter-terrorism & extremism. Saudi King Abdullah reiterated today a call for dialogue between Islam and other religions during a gathering of Muslim scholars to di... more -
Saudi King's call for inter-faith dialogue welcomed by the World Jewish Congr...
The King of Saudi Arabia's call for inter-faith dialogue has been welcomed by the WJC. King Abdullah has the support and approval of Saudi Arabia’s top clerics to pursue the idea.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said:
"Despite all obstacles that may still be in the way, King Abdullah's initiative is a laudable step forward. We hope that other religious and political leaders throughout the world will be encouraged to join."
Inter-faith dialogue will allow people from different faiths understand each other and not hate or fear one another.
Transl. of Holy Quran 49:13:
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
This comes as Qatar recently held a inter-faith dialogue in the inter-faith centre in Doha. The King of Saudi Arabia's call for inter-faith dialogue has been welcomed by the WJC. King Abdullah has the support and approval... more -
Imam speaks at interfaith dinner
On May 4th Imam Hamid Slimi made history as the first imam to speak at a Neighbourhood Interfaith Group dinner.
The annual dinner was hosted by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Beauchamp, who is an Anglican, said he encourages people of all the different faiths to sit together on the same table to encourage dialogue.
The Moroccon-born imam spoke about Islam and its beliefs:
“Islam is very simple. There’s one God in heaven and God is merciful,” he said. “There is this unfavourable thinking of Islam and Muslims. I can’t deny that there are extreme thoughts – it happens in every religion.”
The imam dispelled the myth that all Muslims are taught to hate the Jewish people:
“Everyone is loved by God,” he said. “I grew up in a district where we had Jews and Christians. We were never taught to hate [them.] The prophet said that [Muslims] can marry Jews and Christians, who are the people of the Book.”
Rabbi Schild reminded them all their have something in common:
“We’re all citizens of Canada...In Canada, people with different ethnicities and religions can live together in harmony.” On May 4th Imam Hamid Slimi made history as the first imam to speak at a Neighbourhood Interfaith Group dinner. ... more -
Britain’s first interfaith game show launched by the Islam Channel
An interfaith game show which will see different religious groups competing against each other for cash prizes is to be launched in Britain commissioned by Islam Channel in a bid to foster good relations and better understanding between different faiths.
The show will be hosted by comedian Jeff Mirza where two teams of four will compete but instead of questions of celebrities & soaps they with each other where they will be expected to demonstrate their religious knowledge.
The show is expected to feature all of the flashing lights, buzzers, puns and cheesy smiles common to ordinary game shows. As well as being challenged to identify key figures such as the Dalai Lama and the Pope from grainy images, there will be multiple choice questions where contestants answer questions about their own, or another contestant’s religion.
Abrar Hussain, the shows producer, has also produced a competition to find Britain’s best mosque.
Islam channel brodcasts on sky channel 813 aswell as on www.islambox.tv An interfaith game show which will see different religious groups competing against each other for cash prizes is to be launched in Br... more -
Group puts faith in dialogue
Visitors were invited to a Heckmondwike mosque to learn about the links between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Members of the Kirklees Discussion Group were shown around the prayer hall at the Jamia Mosque on Jeremy Lane, before a question and answer session.
Masoud Razaq, of the mosque said:
"The purpose of the visit was to explore the common similarities between the three great Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
"We made it clear to our guests to be open and frank with and ask any questions they had in mind.
"An interesting discussion took place and we could have gone on talking for hours, about the five pillars, the role of women in Islam, the Koran, as well as looking at extremism in all different faith communities."
President of the mosque, Haji Aurangzeb Khan said the mosque was committed to community cohesion.
"We shall try to do everything in our power to make sure people from different racial, ethnic or faith groups can live together in peace and not be influenced by a tiny minority of far-right racists and extremists," he added. Visitors were invited to a Heckmondwike mosque to learn about the links between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. ... more -
Saudi Arabia: Muslim World League to promote debate between religions
The Muslim World League is going to promote a international Islamic conference to debate the dialogue between followers of different religions and civilizations and the promotion of common values among them. This will begin on the 31st in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This information was disclosed by the Saudi embassy to Brazilian capital Brasília.
The objective of this meeting is to prepare the Muslim world for the start of this dialogue between religions and cultures.
The king of the Kingdom- Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud will open the 3 day event and should count on the presence of scientists, researchers and professors of all Muslim countries as well as representatives of Muslim communities in other nations, like Brazil. The Muslim World League is going to promote a international Islamic conference to debate the dialogue between followers of different r... more -
A lebanese Muslim tries to help Jewish Lebanese community
A Lebanese Muslim -Aaron-Micaël Beydoun is trying to raise awareness about Jews in Lebanon and with the help of his website (thejewsoflebanon.org) he is trying to stop the segregation of this tiny minority.
In Concordia University Beydoun said:
"Let the Jews of Lebanon live," The 21-year-old said his mission is to help Jews of Lebanon realize "that they are not alone in their country." With his website, he helps Jewish Lebanese communicate with fellow Jews living all around the world.
"We can all live together," he said. Currently a member of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce and a contributing journalist for an alternative magazine in Beirut, Beydoun also started a NGO to help needy Jewish Lebanese through monetary assistance and to take part in projects such as renovating Beirut's great synagogue. It has become harder for Jews to practise their faith in Lebanon due to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Beydoun said the violence directed toward Jews must stop. The young man said the Lebanese youth is tired of sectarianism, "a cancer" as he called it. "The society is still sick of this mentality," he said. Beydoun added that the Lebanese youth does not want to continue on the path their parents and grand-parents paved before them.
The second topic of discussion at the event was the history of Sepharadi Jews. The chairperson of Spanish Language studies at Université de Montréal, Oro Anahory-Librowicz, said that culture must be preserved through a dynamic process. She explained that Sepharadi Jews are descendants of Spanish Jews who were expelled by the King of Spain. They settled in the Ottoman Empire, in Turkey and Lebanon. A Lebanese Muslim -Aaron-Micaël Beydoun is trying to raise awareness about Jews in Lebanon and with the help of his website (thejewsof... more -
German State Plans Center For Islamic-Christian Dialogue
Prime Minister Christian Wulff of Lower Saxony - a federal state of Germany, said he is planning to establish a Centre for Islamic-Christian Dialogue in the city of Osanabruck, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday which will cost two million euros.
Wulff from the Democratic Christian Party said that the Centre will be a major one in Germany and the neighbouring European countries. He also expressed optimism that the Centre would be supported by some Muslim countries.
The Centre will organise European and international conferences with the participation of scholars from the two religions in addition to scientists in medicine, astronomy and other human sciences.Wulff pointed out that the dialogue should be a comprehensive dialogue and not confined to the religious sciences and differences between the two religions.
Earlier on this month Dohar (in Qatar) held the 6th inter-faith dialogue in one of the Gulf's first interfaith centres which included two Rabbi's from Israel. Prime Minister Christian Wulff of Lower Saxony - a federal state of Germany, said he is planning to establish a Centre for Islamic-Chr... more -
Dozens of Muslims ‘Donate A Day’ in New York City
NEW YORK – Painting benches, gardening, trash cleanup, farm games, and arts and crafts projects are just some of the activities volunteers participated in during Donate A Day 2008 in New York City on April 14, held by The Islamic Center Khairat Committee at New York University and World Faith.
This interfaith event included several simultaneous community service projects all over the city, including Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Participating organizations included NY Cares, a group of people who cleaned parks, schools and gardens throughout the city.
About 65 people signed up for the day-long event, said Halima Samad, head of community service for the Khairat committee.
"You don’t need money to do good," Samad said. "Just give one day to people who need it."
Volunteer Maryum Khwajan (a social worker), who was assigned to clean a park in the Bronx, said an event like Donate a Day changes people’s outlooks on life. She also said even though she got so muddy she had to throw out her shoes, she found it was well worth it.
"The experience was so humbling," she said. "You tend to forget how needy people really are."
Volunteer Robert Gargano, who is not Muslim, said he was happy to see boundaries broken down between the different faiths.
"To take part in an event that shares with everyone that kids are kids and time and health are precious to all was a breath of fresh air," he said.
Samad said the center plans to make Donate A Day an annual event.
"It was successful," she said. "But next time, we hope to reach out to more non-Muslims."
Co-sponsors of the event included the Office of Graduate Student Life at the Student Resource Center, The United Muslim Association, World Faith, The Islamic Center at NYU Alumni Association and The Catholic Center at NYU. NEW YORK – Painting benches, gardening, trash cleanup, farm games, and arts and crafts projects are just some of the activities volunt... more -
Miami's Catholics & Muslims come together to aid cyclone Nargis victims
Catholics and Muslims united to help Buddhists on Wednesday, as South Florida religious leaders announced a joint collection to benefit cyclone victims in Myanmar which is a mainly Bhuddhist nation.
The collection was set to start last weekend beggining at 18 mosques in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, plus the 120 parishes and missions in the Archdiocese of Miami.
"This is not a Muslim or Catholic or Buddhist disaster; it's a human disaster," said Khalid M. Mirza, president of the Miami Gardens Mosque, site of a news conference announcing the campaign Wednesday. "Humans helping humans is a teaching of all religions."
The plan calls for the donations to be sent to the archdiocesan Catholic Charities, which will forward them to Caritas Internationalis, a Catholic relief agency. The Rev. Roger Holoubek, representing Archbishop John Favalora at the news conference, agreed with Mirza on the need for the faiths to cooperate on disaster relief.
"In Christianity, we are told to remove our shoes on holy ground, and I feel this is holy ground," said Holoubek, pastor of St. Maurice Catholic Church in Dania Beach. "It's holy ground when we work with Muslim sisters and brothers in helping victims of catastrophe."
Giving to Charity is a important part of both faiths, charity is also one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Catholics and Muslims united to help Buddhists on Wednesday, as South Florida religious leaders announced a joint collection to benefi... more -
Interfaith dialogue opens in Doha, Qatar
The sixth Doha Conference of Interfaith Dialogue opened on 13th may with Muslim leaders, Rabbis (incl. 2 from Israel) and Christian leaders coming together from across the globe in Qatar.
The conference was titled "Religious values: Perspective on peace and respect for life," and was organised jointly by the Qatar University, the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Opening the conference at the Doha Sheraton, H E Faisal bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said, "We all see from the theme of this conference and its discussions a clear evidence of the success it achieved in terms of interfaith dialogue as well as the goals we wanted to achieve through the previous conferences. In addition to this, there is the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, which is a real achievement of the previous recommendations."
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter religious Dialogue (Vatican City) said:
"I noted with satisfaction that the Qatari people are courageous and maintain their promises. For example, they promised to widen the conference to include Jews and to create an international structure for dialogue- both promises have been maintained."
"As religious leaders let us promote a sound pedagogy of peace, which is taught in the family, in the mosques, in the synagogues, in the churches, in our schools, in our universities. Religions do not make war, unfortunately- as history teaches us-their followers sometimes make war," said Tauran. The sixth Doha Conference of Interfaith Dialogue opened on 13th may with Muslim leaders, Rabbis (incl. 2 from Israel) and Christian le... more -
New York imam forges close ties with city's Jews
The largest Mosque in NY, the ICC, is getting applause from the city's influential Jewish community. Mohammad Shamsi Ali is the Mosque's Indonesian born-imam.
Rabbis who've spoken there call it an open and welcoming community. The Jewish Theological Seminary and the ICC are planning a joint soup kitchen for the homeless. The mosque is organizing an inter-religious studies program for teenagers.
"What I heard Shamsi Ali preach was as fine a sermon on brotherhood as has ever been preached," said Visotzky, professor of midrash (scriptural interpretation) and inter-faith studies across town at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Rabbi Marc Schneier spoke at the ICC last year and invited the imam to speak in his Synagogue last month:
"It was impressive when he spoke to the congregation about Israel's territorial integrity and how suicide bombings are a perversion of the Koran and Islam."
The imam has taken part in the prayer at an inter-faith memorial service in Yankee Stadium two weeks after the September 11 attacks. Ali has also been active in larger inter-faith initiatives such as the National Dialogue of Muslims and Catholics and Imams and Rabbis conferences in the United States and abroad. The largest Mosque in NY, the ICC, is getting applause from the city's influential Jewish community. Mohammad Shamsi Ali is the M... more -
Muslims and Christians to have "Peace picnic"
Saturday night is going to be a special time for the faithful in Woodland's. Why? because its going to hopefully foster better relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Woodland and Davis according to Rev. Brad van Sant.
"Peace Picnic" was Initiated by members of the Muslim community in Woodland the "Peace Picnic" will be a time to share an informal picnic at the park with genuine Pakistani barbecue supplemented with salads and desserts brought by the attending families.
The picnic at Woodside Park is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The park is located at the northeast side of Cottonwood Street and El Dorado Drive. Saturday night is going to be a special time for the faithful in Woodland's. Why? because its going to hopefully foster better re... more -
Jaipur: A harmonious city
With the terrorist attacks putting Jaipur in the spotlight how is the city normally?
Muslims and Hindus live peacefully side by side according to NDTV news. Peace groups have been formed to keep the peace consisting of both Hindu's and Muslims. The community liaison group has 150 members.
''Mine is the only Hindu house in this lane but I feel no threat or fear,'' said Mohan Prasad Ranavat, community liaison group member (CLG).
However The terrorist attack in Jaipur has scared many people especially women.
''The population of Ramganj is four and a lakh people... But you've seen how everyone works together like brothers,'' said Hukum Chand, convenor.
''Our blood is the same and no one can divide us. We are taking on the terrorists and their terror,'' said another local. With the terrorist attacks putting Jaipur in the spotlight how is the city normally? ... more -
Hindus and Muslims rush to help Jaipur blast victims
When Indian television news broadcasts appealed for blood donors on Wednesday, a day after the blasts, Yaseef Khan rushed to help.
"How can I sit at home when people are crying for blood?" Khan said.
He was one among many Hindus and Muslims joining to give blood. Both Muslims like Khan & Hindus united on Wednesday to help victims of the bomb blasts, offering the use of their mobile phones, distributing food & fruit juices as relatives swarmed hospitals of Jaipur from the early hours of the morning along with distributing free medicine to those who cant afford it (through voluntary organisations).
"We managed to save at least 150 lives last night because of help from these unknown people," Rakesh Sharma, an orthopaedic surgeon said.
The bombs are thought to be done with the intent to cause hatred between the two faiths followers. "Bombs cannot divide the Hindus and Muslims, it never succeeded and people should know that it is not going to work," Sohail Illyas, a Muslim man.
Hindu's and Muslims were killed in the attacks, which the PM of India & Muslim organisations have condemned. These attacks violated the Quranic principle of the sanctity of life. When Indian television news broadcasts appealed for blood donors on Wednesday, a day after the blasts, Yaseef Khan rushed to help. ... more -
Website launched to find out: which is the only true Religion?
The website contains fascinating audio and video debates and articles and discussion to try to prove which is the only true religion.
Deabtes range from " Is Jesus God?" debated by Shawn (a popular Christian amongst Christian youtubers known as VenomfangX on youtube) and Sami (a Muslim).
Other debates & articles include:
"Does Quran say “Where ever you find a KAAFIR Unbeliever kill them” !???",
"Christians Debate : Calvinism Vs Anglicans on Atonement"
"” WHICH IS THE MOST DANGEROUS BOOK ON EARTH ? ” - PART 1"
"Was Paul the founder of Christianity?A dialogue between Shabir Ally and Dr. V.George Shillington"
"WHY I was forced to leave CHRISTIANITY and convert to Islam"
"The veil or Head Scarf — who is following the Laws of God , Jews ,Christians or Muslims ?"
Find out for yourself...
www.truereligiondebate.wordpress.com The website contains fascinating audio and video debates and articles and discussion to try to prove which is the only true religion. ... more -
Abrahamic faiths come together for MId. East trip
The 15-member caravan making the unlikely pilgrimage to Jordan, Syria and Israel includes a rabbi, an imam and two Christian ministers. They will build a Habitat for Humanity-type home in Jordan, carry medical and educational supplies to Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria, and visit some of their faiths' holiest shrines in Israel.
A little effort needed but peace is possible... The 15-member caravan making the unlikely pilgrimage to Jordan, Syria and Israel includes a rabbi, an imam and two Christian ministers... more
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Inter-Faith
