April 25, 2014

On Sunday, April 13, more than 50 community members joined together for the Claremont Interfaith Working Group for Peace in the Middle East fourth annual Interfaith Seder at the Islamic Center of Claremont. The Claremont Interfaith Working Group for Peace in the Middle East began in 2006 as a group promoting dialogue among faith groups and individuals concerned about the future of our region and the world.

This event brings together Muslims, Jews and Christians from Los Angeles County to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. The Seder dinner, consists of 14 items of food and drink on the table, each representing something about the struggle of the Jews in Egypt during the time of the Pharoah. As time has goes on, people have added different items to signify different struggles throughout history.

"Interfaith events like these are needed especially during our time to bring together people from different communities in order to work through their problems,” said Abeer Gaber, MPAC’s I Am Change LA Fellow. “This event is an example of how community members from different religious faith come together for celebration of each other’s faiths. Members of different faith communities read different parts during the Seder meal of the blessings.”

Claremont Mayor Joe Lyons gave a speech about interfaith relations and different communities coming together as one. He also recalled an experience he had with racism as a young boy that affected him for the rest of his life and pushed him to fight for justice and equality for all.