WCF works to develop better understanding, co-operation
and respect between people of different faiths
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WCF works to develop better understanding, co-operation and respect between people of different faiths
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Muslim - Jewish activities for Young Peoplean Open Letter from our newest member Mashfiqul AlamIMPROVING MUSLIM-JEWISH RELATIONS IN GREAT BRITAINI joined the World Congress of Faiths to positively contribute to improving relations between Britain’s Muslim and Jewish communities across Great Britain. I have made my own valuable contribution to the improvement of Muslim-Jewish relations, through various educational and social programmes. I have always wanted to help foster understanding, dialogue, friendship and peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Jewish communities across Great Britain.My inspiration had come from Anne Frank who once said: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank taught me a personal lesson, which is no matter how old you may be you can always make a positive contribution to make this world a more harmonious and better place for the whole of humanity. Therefore, I am determined to make my own positive contribution to improving relations between Muslim-Jewish communities across Great Britain. Also, well-known Islamic scholar (Sheikh Dr Zaki Badawi) KBE has also encouraged Muslims to take an active role in “Interfaith dialogue” with Jews in Great Britain, through his article on the Maimonides Foundation website. Sheikh Badawi stated the following: “Theologically, Islam has built into it respect for, and recognition of, Judaism and Christianity. Therefore, the basic conditions are clearly set for the Muslims to play an active role in interfaith dialogue, in particular between Muslims and Jews.” The Muslim and Jewish community must be committed to creating forums where the two communities can interact and share their commonalities and discuss theological differences through interfaith dialogue. As His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (2003) stated “Use differences in a positive way. Try to get energy from different views, from different opinions; that is the proper way to solve problems.” Let me emphasise that dialogue is the most important way to bring about peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Jews in Great Britain. The two faith communities must also find practical ways to involve young people from Muslim and Jewish communities to interact with each other. I have a number of proposals for programmes which are practical possibilities for helping to improve relations between Muslims and Jewish communities in Great Britain. Football Tournaments - Organise weekly/monthly/yearly football tournaments for young people from both Muslim and Jewish faith communities across Great Britain. Football allows young people to interact with each other and make new friends. Young People’s Summer Camp - the summer camp will bring together young people, between the ages 13 to 19 from both Muslim and Jewish communities each year. This will give young people from both faith communities an opportunity to make new friends away from the home environment. The summer camp will help to ensure that young people from both faith communities can integrate and take part in supervised summer programmes throughout the summer period. Young People’s Muslim-Jewish Exchange Network - Setting up an Exchange Network for Muslim and Jewish young people to spend a week maximum with each others families. The Muslim-Jewish Empowerment Network - A lobby group and network for Muslim and Jewish professionals from all walks of life. The Network will bring together professionals from Muslim and Jewish communities to come together and lobby Government on matters of major concern to both faith communities. The forum will provide engagement for Muslim and Jewish professionals. The meetings and events organised by the Muslim-Jewish Empowerment Network will provide a networking opportunity for professionals from both faith communities. Interfaith Breakfast forum - Organise interfaith breakfast meetings for religious leaders and professionals from both faith communities to come together and network with each other. Also, encourage young people to attend the interfaith breakfast meetings. Plan special interfaith prayers (yearly)- An opportunity to bring religious leaders, professionals and young people from both faith communities to pray together, listen to sermons and take part in activities. Muslim-Jewish Youth Magazine - Introduce a new youth magazine written by young people for young people from Muslim and Jewish communities. The young people will be able to write articles on Muslim-Jewish relations, interfaith and various other issues relating to their own faith communities. However, bigotry or racism must not be allowed. I urge Muslim and Jewish communities to unite and express solidarity and develop a sense of unity for the purpose of: * Preventing Disputes- overcoming ignorance, bitterness and hatred through dialogue, sports and various other activities. * The followers of both faiths must not quarrel with each other, instead reconcile and free each others hearts from ignorance, hate and bitterness. * Visit each others’ places of worship to learn about each others’ faith. I believe that to overcome ignorance we must learn and gain an understanding of the Holy Quran and the Torah. Thank you Mashfiqul Alam (WCF Member number 2491) |
News items The second Interfaith celebration of animals Dr Marcus Braybrooke speaks at the Service of Remembrance First Prayer Congress in Hamburg Imam Abduljalil Sajid represents Britain at the OSCE Conference in Cordoba Pictures and news from the AGM 2005 Violence - an Interfaith perspective Fideology 2004 - a new word is coined - Croydon November 14 Rev Marcus Braybrooke preaches at Westminster Abbey Rev Ruth Scott is cycling to Jerusalem! Internet Discussion Group launched Ivy Gutridge Albert Friedlander The WCF Response to the World Parliament of Religions in Barcelona The First Interfaith Service in Celebration of Animals A New Centre for the Study of Religion AGM 2004 |
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