June 23, 2009

The Late American Muslim Leader, Dr. Hassan Hathout

Is religious text the solution to resolving Muslim-Jewish tension? For decades, the late Dr. Hassan Hathout, may he rest in peace, reminded us that religion was the solution and not the problem.

When we truly return to the actual word of God, we find we are mandated to seek peace (8:61), justice  (4:135), and mercy (21:107).

Participants from the pilot cohort of the Muslim-Jewish Text Study program did just that. More than 20 Muslim and Jewish peers and professionals, ranging in ages from 22 to 68, met monthly this spring to discuss religious themes from their respective traditions.

Last week, they celebrated their completion of the program at the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation with friends and family. More than 80 people joined the festivities, heard participant testimonials, and has the opportunity to engage in text study themselves.

As Text Study participant Iman Eletreby said, "The text study awakened something in me that was dormant." She went on to explain that reading passages from the Quran alongside a Jewish peer was a very powerful experience -- one that renewed and strengthened her own faith.

The text study program demonstrated how much people learn about themselves when exploring the religious realm of "the other." As one of the facilitators of the Muslim-Jewish Text Study Program, I found this experience to be a living testament to the power of being able to understand others by appreciating the many layers in one's own life.

As the Quran teaches us, we live our faith by doing good works and withstanding the test of diversity:

"We have ordained a law and a way of life for each of you.  If God wanted, He could have made all of you of a single nation.  He willed otherwise in order to test you in what He has given you.  Therefore try to excel one another in good deeds. Ultimately you all shall return to God, then He will tell you the truth of the matters you dispute." (5:48)

The Muslim-Jewish Text Study program and dinner was co-sponsored by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA), the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (USC CRCC), and the USC Center for International Studies.

If you would like to get involved in future interfaith activities like this one, please get in touch with me at (213) 383-3443 or aziza@mpac.org.

-- Aziza Hasan,
Director of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change