Britain’s leading Muslim organization will tomorrow signal a radical shift in its position when one of its senior members addresses a Jewish audience for the first time, reports the Observer.
The paper said the decision by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) to attend a high-profile debate entitled ‘Does more unite Muslims and Jews than divides them?’ is being described as ‘highly significant’ by members of both communities. The move has led to speculation the MCB will drop its controversial opposition to Holocaust Memorial Day.
Inayat Bunglawala, the assistant general secretary of the MCB, who will take part in the debate, said both communities have become concerned at the growing rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. ‘It is crucial that we do not allow the Israel-Palestine conflict to hamper good and productive relations between Muslims and Jews in the UK,’ Bunglawala said.
According to the broadsheet, his comments have been warmly welcomed by members of the Jewish community. ‘This debate is a very significant event,’ said Nick Viner, chief executive of the Jewish Community Centre, which has sponsored the debate. ‘The MCB and the Jewish community haven’t seen eye to eye on many issues. I doubt we’ll finish up with both sides saying everything is warm and cuddly, but by bringing people together we hope to have an intelligent debate.’
Rabbi Julia Neuberger, who will be attending the event, said that it was time for Jews and Muslims to acknowledge their similarities. ‘I have always felt Jews and Muslims are much more like each other than Christians in the way they approach their faith,’ Neuberger said. ‘To Jews and Muslims, their faith is much more a way of life.’
(Source: Pakistan Press)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
4 Responses
” Rabbi Julia Neuberger, who will be attending the event, said that it was time for Jews and Muslims to acknowledge their similarities.”
Really? Do Muslims have female Imams?
This is an Arab publicity stunt. I’ll bet on Friday they were already downplaying, and belittleing it in all the UK mosques. Same way that Arafat ym would talk peace in front of English speaking media and talk “pieces” in front of other Arabs.
It is custom tailored to lull people like “Rabbi Julia” into believing that deep down Muslims really like Jews…..
yeah right. Just don’t turn your back to them.
Why does klal yisroel deluge itself in friendships and solidarity with our Muslims brothers? This time its the JCC sponsoring the event and other times its the EU of Rabbis who initiate working together to solve Muslim-Jewish issues. It was just surveyed in Israel that 75% of Israeli-Arabs deny the holocaust, what do we care if they mark “Yom Hashoah”, is this a battle of importance? OF COURSE NOT!!!!
“to hamper good and productive relations between Muslim and Jews in the U.K”
I’m unaware of any relations between the jews and muslims in the U.K besides violent confrontations and verbal abuse, hardly productive.
Secondly, whats the objective of an intelligent debate?
peace? our unesteemed “Rabbi” doubts it herself!
Discuss religion? Pointless, we know our differences!
Since the aforementioned “Rabbi” equates Judiasm and Islam, possibly she requires a lengthy discourse on Islam, may I dare suggest that She brings someone knowledgeable to present Judiasm!