Rabbis and Imams visit U.S. for dialogue

"A group of 28 imams and rabbis from 10 European countries arrived in New York and Washington this week for whirlwind visits to interfaith centers to break new ground on Muslim-Jewish relations and combat Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in each other's communities. They will receive instructions from teams of American rabbis and imams who will show the Europeans how American-style ecumenism works on the ground. It's the first visit of its kind to involve foreign Muslim and Jewish leaders coming to the U.S., where interreligious ties have a much longer history and track record of success." (J. Duin, Wash. Times)

I think this is a bit of a testament to the groundwork and success of interfaith dialogues between rather disparate religious groups in the U.S. Not that this kind of activity hasn't met success elsewhere, but due to the context of intense plurality and diversity characteristic of the U.S. there is more opportunity to work towards ecumenism and religious communities are often more likely to dialogue because its the only peaceable alternative to intolerant anger, hate, and violence that can come between different religious people.

Anyway, I'm pleased to see the U.S. being held up as a model for interfaith relations, in this case, for Muslim-Jewish peaceful interaction and learning.

Read the full article at Faith in Public Life by Julia Duin of the Washington Times.