Muslim-Jewish dialogue to kick off in Toronto on Sept.9

A fourth Muslim-Jewish dialogue meeting will take place in Toronto, Canada on September 9, on the initiative of Weekly Press Pakistan news service. The dialogue is comprised of sessions of group discussions between Jews and non-Arab Muslims, geared towards the boost of people-to-people dialogue. The meeting is for adults as well as for teenagers, who will meet in separate groups. Foundation for Ethnic Understanding facilitates 125 events with participation of 250 Muslim, Jewish organizations in 26 countries in four continents The meetings are designed as an opportunity to meet new friends and remove stereotypes. The demand from potential registrants for the coming session is reportedly intensive, including six requests from Pakistan-based Muslim journalists who want to attend. Forty Muslims and Jews participaed in the last meeting which took place in April. The two-hour meeting involved men and women convening in four small work groups. The Muslims, on their part, stressed the difference between Arbi (Arab) and Ajmi (non-Arab) Muslims, and the positive attitudes of the latter toward Israel. The participants from both sides talked about the importance of tolerance, mutual respect, as well as the importance of confronting stereotypes. They explored topics such as spirituality, what makes for a good person, and what is necessary for enlightened collaboration between the two religions. Khaleel Siddiqui, a senior Pakistani-Canadian journalist, stated during the last meeting: "The frank discussions, I hope, will open a new chapter in Jewish-Muslim relations. I believe that the misunderstanding between the two communities will be ended. "Real Muslims are not terrorists and enemies of the Jewish people. Judaism and Islam have the same source – the religion of Abraham. Our God is one; we have similar religious instructions regarding many issues." An unprecedented gathering of Muslim and Jewish leaders concluded Wednesday in Paris with 70 religious leaders from across the international community agreeing not only to stand up for each other on matters of joint concern, but also to defend their counterparts whenever they are attacked in Europe. The gathering co-sponsored by the European Jewish Congress and the Great Mosque of Paris, attracted some of Europe’s most prominent Jewish and Muslim religious leaders who came out strongly against the recent increase in verbal and physical attacks on the two communities.