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Synagogue in Virginia opens doors to Muslims
Published: 28 November, 2009, 08:40
Edited: 28 November, 2009, 22:25
In the US state of Virginia there is a remarkable relationship between the local religious communities. The Muslim community is growing and mosques are filling up quickly, so Muslims have begun to visit synagogues.
Rizwan Jaka, a devout Muslim and community activist, finds nothing wrong with reciting his prayers in a synagogue.
“Coming here to the synagogue is just as comfortable for me as going to a mosque, and it is something that is very special for me and my family. I will remember this for the rest of our lives,” notes Rizwan.
“About a year ago, we were looking for a place for our Friday prayers, and basically the synagogue was like: If you are looking for a place, why don’t you come over here? And they opened their doors and their hearts to us,” Rizwan Jaka added.
The communities share more than just a physical space.
Sheikh Khalid Iqbal, Deputy Director of ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) says, “They come over here, we go over to their location and we have a good time. You can have a dialogue and discuss things and put your point of view. We agree to disagree on some issues and agree to agree on others.”
“Unfortunately the conflict gives the perception that we cannot get along, but actually we can get along. This is our same neighborhood. We work together, we live together, so it is natural,” Rizwan Jaka thinks.
Some still find this particular case extremely unique.
Rabbi Marc Gopin explains that “There are a great many communities who would not do this. They would not do this in part out of fear; they would not do this because of conservative theology. There is a lot of anger against Muslims for a variety of reasons. This synagogue is actually making a very bold statement by actually welcoming them into their sacred space.”
Rizwan Jaka believes one day everything will change: “God willing, at least we hope people can see that we can come together.”
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I am deeply touched by this story. In a climate of fear, and hate this is ray of hope and an example to us all. The Jewish people who have opened the doors of their Holy places to people of another religion are to be congratulated and thanked. They have taken a very bold yet righteous step and I am suprised and humbled in equal measure that this has happened in the USA. We must not forget that Jews and Muslims worship the same God, and Muslims recognise parts of the Torah and many of the old Prophets of the Jewish scriptures (Abraham, Noah, Moses, and many others). Both religions have more in common than they have differences and in the past Jews and Muslims lived side by side in peace throughout the middle east. Let this small yet highly significant outreaching between communities guide us all on the road to peace. Thankyou RT for reporting this, all I hear in the UK is how much Jews and Muslims dislike each other.