‘Here is a story that shatters the stereotype’ of Jewish-Muslim conflictSince this blog has always been about tolerance and acceptance of all others. And since I always feel uneasy about ratcheting up the rhetoric of animousity even with my darnest enemies. And to smoothen the hostility of my latest post (albeit warranted), I couldn't resist but post this article when I came across it.
On Friday afternoons, the people coming to pray at this building take off their shoes, unfurl rugs to kneel on and pray in Arabic. The ones that come Friday evenings put on yarmulkes, light candles and pray in Hebrew.
The building is a synagogue on a tree-lined street in suburban Virginia, but for the past few weeks — during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — it has also been doubling daily as a mosque. Synagogue members suggested their building after hearing the Muslim congregation was looking to rent a place for overflow crowds.
This is so fan-fucking-tastic.
Now, do I dare suggest that we try something similar here in the Middle East?
16 comments:
I would agree to Jerusalem being shared like that :)
Take that, zionism!
Brilliant.
And well said BuJ!
Great story; so simple, so logicalm, that's the way it should be.
I like seeing you look at the big picture, it is not only about Middle East or Syria, and there is a big world out there that lives in peace and know how to lives.
But, you have mentioned the town that I call it first home where I lived and loved this wonderful city. Reston is a unique town you deserve to know much more about it. It is one of the two planned communities in America where the stress is on quality of life, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reston,_Virginia
It is the works of visionary man his name Robert Simon. It is the only town in America that residents share, 20 swimming pool, two golf course, parks, trails, pathways and pike tracks. It is the only town where weather on bike or on foot you do not cross street, all intersections have under ground crossing. It is a wonderful and successful planning.
See some photos.
http://beyonddc.com/profiles/reston.shtml
Read more:
History museum: http://www.restonmuseum.org/
See master plan: http://www.restonmuseum.org/main_/rht_masterPlan.htm
And visit Reston Paths: http://www.restonpaths.com/
I hope you will enjoy the info as an architect/ or engineer.
Nice!
BuJ - I'm sure that there would be a lot of Israelis who would agree with you about sharing Jerusalem. Take away the politics, religion and the fanatics, and let the common man speak - you'll see a lot get resolved that way!
We had a lovely co-operation between Israeli and Arab in Barcelona last Friday for the Catalonia National Day celebrations.
Israeli singer, Noa, with her partner and guitarist, Gil Dor, sang together with the Arab Orchestra of Barcelona at the official event. It was wonderful, and a true spirit of friendship resonated on the stage. Perhaps we need to look for creative and positive projects in which to co-operate rather than dwelling on the negative, destructive forces.
May we see more co-operation like this as the common people reach out to each other, defying what politics, history and religious differences lie between them.
Bu Jassem,
Very good point, I doubt zionists will share though!
Sasa,
Welcome man. Yes indeed, it's a brilliant story.
Abu Kareem,
Sometimes the most logical and complicated solutions are the most elusive. At least that's how it is in the middle east!
Saint,
My my.
Thanks for the links, it looks like an impressive city.
I wonder though, if the planning was so wonderful, how come there's an overflow in the mosque? :)
It's not always about the middle east, I agree. But the major conflict is now taking place in the middle east, and we ought to seek solutions that fit the rusty mentalities here.
I wonder if they'll get inspired one day.
NZM,
Welcome back. Always nice to see you commenting here :)
As for the Israelis, I'm not really that impressed. If there are enough israelis that are willing to share, then maybe they can get their government to stop the expansion of the settlements for starter.
DJ, I wish if each Syrian can come and visit this place, it may teach them one important thing, tolerance. The town here makes a party and celebration for the new comers each year. They do not have shortage of Mosques but there are too many religions to count and all can show and practice their believes here and everywhere in America, but the Middle East is completely out of logic, they need exposure and need to get rid of their despots who will call you traitor for posing good words about Jews.
See this video to know I mean.
http://downloads.feedroom.com/podcasts/t_assets/20080918/090808_BPR_RestonFinal_VideoPod_2SH4.m4v?cid=242bc6e44f2e256b2a33dcd23ccd74cf417f4bf8&pid=ad7a789acc75d228ca39fea9f78aaa02deca5d15&sid=FRdamp300084&site=usnews
This is the way it should be between people. The Israelis could learn from this jewish group.
Saint,
Man we were doing real good up until the "despot", why do you always have to spoil it?! :P
NZM,
I'd love to think that there are like-minded israelis like that but unfortunately they won't budge on Jerusalem. They tend to be quite extremist about that. They have selective beliefs after all, and don't recognise Jesus or Mohammed as prophets, whereas we do recognise all previous prophets and we are obliged to respect all religions.
Islam actually offered freedom of religion for the Jews, albiet with some limits. The Prophet PBUH traded with Jews and he was rumoured to die in debted to a Jewish trader and ordered the Muslims to pay off this debt after his passing.
What the Israelis seem to conveniently forget is that while the Europeans and the whole world was constantly anti-semetic over the last 1000 years, expelling them out of Europe and other countries, their safest lands were in fact Arab land.
There are Jewish communities in Morroco, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Iran, Yemen, and even Jerusalem that are thousands of years old, and have always been there. Their numbers started to dwindle significantly only after the Zionist state was created, which ironically was the first Jewish state in the world in about 20 centuries!
PS: add to that Al Andalus, or Arab-ruled Spain, which is where the Jews enjoyed very high status under Arab rule. They were also protected by the Arabs, and not forced to convert.
I wonder what the Spanish would say to that now? el reconquistadors!
DJ, I have read your post several times till I understood the underlying subliminal message.
I do not share my brownies. You can ask for mory to bake some for you :P
Post a Comment