http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local … 77707.html
An unlikely relationship between different faiths is setting an example in northern Virginia.
The region's fast-growing Muslim population is running out of room to pray, so one Reston synagogue opens its doors to them.
"It's unusual, but it reflects well on both of our faiths," said Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, of Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation. "Both Islam and Judaism adhere to the teachings of Abraham, who was known in the Bible and in the Koran for hospitality."
"There's more in common than the differences," said Imam Khalid Iqbal, of All Dulles Area Muslim Society. "There's so much in common coming from the same root -- Abrahamic faith, from prophet Abraham and then down to his descendants."
Because there is no mosque nearby -- in part because building a mosque can take a long time -- the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation has welcomed Reston-area Muslims on Fridays for about a year and a half.
"I think it's more than just physical," Iqbal said. "It's people-to-people interaction. I think physical space we could have gone and rented from anybody. But it's the relationship that we have developed with them."
....This is really cool all the way around... and hopefully it can spread all over the world...
Let's see if we can keep this thread about positive relations of muslims and jews... and what can be
done to help the process... without blaming the other side or name calling.
An unlikely relationship between different faiths is setting an example in northern Virginia.
The region's fast-growing Muslim population is running out of room to pray, so one Reston synagogue opens its doors to them.
"It's unusual, but it reflects well on both of our faiths," said Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, of Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation. "Both Islam and Judaism adhere to the teachings of Abraham, who was known in the Bible and in the Koran for hospitality."
"There's more in common than the differences," said Imam Khalid Iqbal, of All Dulles Area Muslim Society. "There's so much in common coming from the same root -- Abrahamic faith, from prophet Abraham and then down to his descendants."
Because there is no mosque nearby -- in part because building a mosque can take a long time -- the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation has welcomed Reston-area Muslims on Fridays for about a year and a half.
"I think it's more than just physical," Iqbal said. "It's people-to-people interaction. I think physical space we could have gone and rented from anybody. But it's the relationship that we have developed with them."
....This is really cool all the way around... and hopefully it can spread all over the world...
Let's see if we can keep this thread about positive relations of muslims and jews... and what can be
done to help the process... without blaming the other side or name calling.
Last edited by [TUF]Catbox (2009-10-24 22:26:16)
Love is the answer
