Religions for Peace - USA

"Improving the Image of Islam"

2008-11-13T09:53:00.003-05:00

The Financial Times of yesterday, November 12th carried an intriguing and hopeful article on "Saudis...Move to Improve Image of Islam." Since the 9/11 attacks, Islam is often thought as radical, fanatic, and a propeller of terrorism. Saudi Arabia has especially come under a harsh spotlight, accused of "breeding extremism." In a move to counteract this negative image of Islam and its own portrayal in the western world, Saudi Arabia is hosting a 2-day conference at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York encouraging interfaith dialogue. It hopes that this event marks the beginning of an "image of Islam as a religion that favors dialogue over violence." Since last year, King Abdullah, the king of Saudi Arabia has participated and led multi faith dialogues with other religions and with various Muslim sects.

While the king's actions on promoting multi faith dialogues internationall is lauded, many locals Saudis complain of discrimination in their own country due to their differing religious beliefs. Many have voiced the hypocrisy of King Abdullah, who seems determined to change the way world views Islam yet he denies his own people the freedom of religion.

Although it has to be recognized that King Abdullah does indeed needs to improve religious tolerance in his own country, it cannot be denied that the need of and for this event is equally critical. It is extremely satisfying to see King Abdullah taking the initiative to promote Islam in an interfaith setting. Opening dialogues between Islam and the world, especially the western world, is a necessary and important step to eradicating and preventing misconceptions and stereotypes of the Islamic religion and improving its image.

Ramadan: An Insider's View

2008-09-25T12:07:00.003-04:00

On the recommendation of our new interim director, Dr. Lucinda Mosher, I visited the website "ReadtheSpirit." As I was wandering through the maze of materials and links provided for individuals and communities interested in interfaith development, I came across first hand accounts of Muslims fasting this Ramadan. In this week's showcase, a young girl of eight years discusses her thoughts and feelings about the most important holiday for Muslims. In a refreshing account, she shares her uncertainties about fasting, her thoughts on what the holiday is about, what she likes the best about this particular holiday, and the activities they engage in.

This showcase provides another dimension and an insider view on what Ramadan is all about. Instead of reading about Ramadan practices in books and from adults, Danya's voice offers an unique opportunity to learn about the holiday through a different and a younger perspective.

Religious tolerance in the U.S.

2008-06-24T11:02:00.003-04:00

The New York Times had an article on religious tolerance in the United States today. A survey conducted recently found some interesting results. Check it out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/us/24religion.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Tony Blair's Enters the Interfaith Domain

2008-06-04T10:25:00.008-04:00

Last week, Time published an article by Michael Elliott regarding his time spent with former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Specifically, the piece discusses Blair's new interfaith organization, The Tony Blair Faith Foundation, "which, among other things, is dedicated to proving that collaboration among those of different religious faiths can help address some of the world's most pressing social problems." Elliott then goes on to describe Blair's own personal religiosity as he has come to understand it based on two long conversations with the former Prime Minister.

Throughout the piece, Elliott also brings into discussion the much-debated relationship between religion and state. Blair's own comment regarding the matter is quite profound. "The worst thing in politics," he says, "is when you're so scared of losing support that you don't do what you think is the right thing. What faith can do is not tell you what is right but give you the strength to do it."

Overall, it is an incredibly interesting article that illuminates not only Blair's interest in interfaith relations but also how this interest can be, and is, translated into the global, political context.

Help Cyclone Victims in Myanmar!

2008-05-07T14:46:00.017-04:00

In the wake of the Cyclone Nargis, the country of Myanmar faces a terrible crisis. Tens of thousands of people are already dead, and the body count continues to rise. People are left without food, shelter, electricity, or access to health care, leaving survivors to confront the terror of rampant disease.
There is no time to delay or to stand by helplessly; the people of Myanmar need immediate aid! I'd suggest giving to one of the following charities. Make a difference!

American Jewish World Service
45 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
1-212-792-2900
http://www.ajws.org/

American Red Cross
Internation Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
1-800-HELP-NOW

Operation Blessing International
977 Centerville Turnpike
Virginia Beach, VA 23463
http://community.ob.org/

U.S. Fund for UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor,
New York, NY. 10038
1-800-4UNICEF
http://www.unicefusa.org

Hinduism Found In An Amusement Park!

2008-04-29T13:55:00.008-04:00

While reading about Hinduism in today's world, I came across an interesting article by BBC News (although it is an old article- 2005). It discussed an ongoing project which binds Hinduism and technology in the form of an amusement park. It was jolting to read the article and imagine that this project is indeed underway. I am not opposed to it. In fact, I am uncertain as to how I feel about the project. But my feelings upon the matter are irrelevant. What is I do believe is that an amusement park which teaches Hindu ideas, gods, and scriptures is extremely creative and original. In this day and age, religion often takes a back seat in people's lives. An amusement park is a way in which modern age is reconciled with religion. Perhaps, this project is viable for Hinduism because unlike other religions, Hinduism does not forbid depiction of gods in various forms. But this project illustrates the possibility of bringing religion to the masses through modern technology used in new and innovative methods. It also provides basic knowledge to those from other religious backgrounds, thus helping eradicate misconceptions and prejudices.

Film: Pray the Devil Back to Hell

2008-04-20T12:08:00.003-04:00

"Pray the Devil Back to Hell" is a new film which documents the struggle for peace in Liberia. The film documents how Christian and Muslim women bonded together to peacefully end the civil war in their country. The war was caused by President Charles Taylor, a corrupt dictator who supported local warlords and spurred violence in the region. Leymah Gbowee, a Christian woman, and Asatu Bah Kenneth, a Muslim woman, led the charge by conducting large peace rallies consisting of crowds of women. They did not rest in their pursuit of peace until a treaty was finally brokered. Charles Taylor was forced to resign, and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was elected in his place, the first female head-of-state in Africa. This film chronicles the peaceful protest of Liberia's women, and shows the power of an interfaith peace movement to make positive change.

Pope Brings With Him Hopes of Reconciliation...

2008-04-17T14:50:00.006-04:00

The Pope's visit has created quite a stir in the United States. One of the things that jumped out at me was reading that the Pope intends to visit a synagogue in New York City (who will become one of the only three popes to visit a synagogue). Despite his blunders earlier regarding people of various faiths (i.e. Muslim and Jews), this visit surely represents a turning point in inter-faith dialogue. Though sometimes verbally undiplomatic, perhaps this visit will result in long-term relations between the two communities dedicated to discussing issues of the Holocaust and other important "ghosts" that remain an obstacle in developing inter-faith trust and communication. Despite earlier efforts to bridge the Catholic and Jewish faith, recently the progress has come to a standstill due to several measures passed by the pontiff. Hopefully, this visit will mark a new beginning for both faiths.

Help Stop Cluster Munitions!

2008-04-10T14:01:00.002-04:00

Last year, world leaders met in

Norway

to discuss a possible international ban on cluster bombs. A cluster bomb is a munitions package holding hundreds of tiny bomblets. The package opens in mid air to disperse the bomblets over a large area. However, bomblets do not always explode when they hit the ground, essentially becoming landmines that can harm civilians years later. Handicap International has reported the alarming statistic that 98 percent of casualties caused by cluster munitions are non-combatants.

The US rejected the agreement to stop using cluster bombs, claiming that they are effective weapons and do not plan to discontinue their use. This is despite the fact that over 40 other nations have agreed to the ban, including suppliers and stockpilers such as France and Britan.

Religions for Peace, which originally formed to support nuclear disarmament, has joined the worldwide Cluster Munitions Coalition which calls for the end of the production, transfer, stockpiling, and use of cluster bombs. The 19^th of April shall be considered the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs, wherein leaders from around America will submit their petitions. To get involved, visit the Coalition’s “Act Now!” website to send letters to government officials, and sign petitions.

Days of Interfaith Youth Service

2008-04-10T13:11:00.003-04:00

April 19th and 20th marks the 5th annual Days of Interfaith Youth Service, held in Washington D.C. by the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. Worldwide, these days are led by the Interfaith Youth Core of Chicago. Engage in service, dialog, and have fun making friends with peers of different faiths. Students looking for school community service hours are also welcome to attend. Habitat for Humanity will be there, allowing volunteers to help with a local construction project. Also, there will be a tree planting sponsored by the Earth Conservation corps on Sunday from 2-6. Space is limited for this event, so sign up as soon as possible. Click here for more information.

American hypocrisy exposed!

2008-04-04T13:45:00.006-04:00

An op-ed article, "Muslim True/False" recently published in the Los Angeles Times is alarmingly revealing not only about the American public but also their ignorance of the Muslim faith. It illustrates the unfavorable biases of Americans concerning Islam.

Polls show that almost 66% percent of Americans have prejudice against Muslims, one in every five American is "greatly prejudiced" against them, most do not want them as neighbors and believe they are disloyal to the United States because of their religion. These statistics are shocking. In a country where freedom of religion is preached and democracy hailed, these results expose the intolerance found in America.

The research group Gallup surveyed more than 1 billion Muslims around the world, making it the most extensive and detailed survey of the Muslim population. These surveys greatly contradicted the biases of the American public. Most of these Muslims are against terrorism, believe in equal rights of men and women, etc.

The article claims that not only are these prejudices hindering our ability to fight the war on terror globally but also "weaken[ing] our democracy." With upcoming presidential elections, Obama's chances of winning the presidency might decrease only because his father was a Muslim. Is this what the American democracy is all about? Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? Why is religion ruling the sentiments and democracy of America?

Additionally, media is to be partly blamed for this phenomenon. Media's anti-Islamic views threaten the work of interfaith organizations, which attempt to end discrimination and ignorance by open dialogues and discussions about their faiths.

This article should propagate Americans to learn about Islam and for that matter other religions before coming to conclusions. Rather than relying upon a biased media, it is important for Americans to examine religion and its adherents from an impartial perspective. That is the only way forward towards a world free of discrimination and prejudice.

Prayers for the Victims of Chinese atrocities

2008-04-03T12:50:00.004-04:00

A major event discussed in the media for the past several weeks have been the Tibetan protests against China. Tibetans have become second-class citizens in their own country. Human rights abuses and other discriminatory acts have been inflicted upon them and other minority groups by the Chinese government. Since March 10th Tibetans have escalated their protests against the human rights violations committed by the Chinese government. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is scrambling to end the protests using further violence in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics being held in Beijing.

So what are other countries doing about this? Some countries, such as France are thinking about boycotting the Olympics, while other governments are watching the "show" from the sidelines.

In NYC, various religious leaders and communities (ranging from Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jewish, etc) are gathering to perform prayers for the victims of continuing atrocities. All are invited to attend and support the plight of Tibetans.

For those interested, provided below are the details regarding the place, time, date, and address of the gathering.

When: Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Address: The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew
263rd West 86th Street at West End Avenue
Directions: Train: (1) to 86th Street and walk one block to West End Avenue- the church is located to the right
Bus Routes: M104, M86, M7, M11

Fluidity of Faith

2008-02-29T09:47:00.002-05:00

A recent New York Times article points to recent surveys as evidence that about a quarter of the American adult population, almost half if Protestant denominations are taken into account, have switched religious affiliations in their lifetimes. Religion has always been an indicator of cultural shifts and beliefs in America, and this fluid motion among affiliations demonstrates such diversity in those ideas. To read the entire article, please click here.

Uniting Faiths is NOT Impossible

2008-02-26T10:51:00.003-05:00

The article "Faith unites Jewish, Muslim students" enforces the idea that reconciliation between various faiths is indeed possible. Jewish and Muslim students from the University of Michigan are spending their spring break to help rebuild New Orleans. For the past few weeks, the students have met constantly to make their trip a success. In the process, both groups have not only gained a better insight about the other religion but also their own religious views and practices. They realize that the foundations and teachings of each religion are similar. What makes this event remarkable is the students' efforts to ensure this is a successful venture and the support they have garnered from both religious communities and leaders.

This incident provides organizations like ours the encouragement and hope that our goal can be achieved. The union of Jewish and Muslim students is a small but an important stepping stone building towards an understanding between different religious groups. For peace between various societies to occur (on a macro level), it is important that grassroots organizations (which are based on a micro based) such as these are given immense support and attention to ensure its triumph. After all, major changes begin with small steps.

For more information on the article, please visit the website:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/SCHOOLS/802210392

Working Towards Interfaith Understanding

2008-02-15T14:31:00.002-05:00

The "interfaith" movement is taking yet another interesting turn. Instead of just lectures and teach-ins, participants are engaging in small-group dialogues, taking trips, and running educational programs for a more personal understanding. To read a great article on the subject, click here! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803233.html?referrer=emailarticle

Changes at RFP-USA

2008-02-04T16:14:00.000-05:00

Religions for Peace-USA is sad to say goodbye to our Acting Executive Director Rori Picker Neiss. Ms. Picker Neiss joins the staff of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) as their new Programming Coordinator, but she will continue working with RFP-USA in a consultant capacity.

In addition, RFP-USA is pleased to announce that Director of Development Anne Hillman has accepted the position of Interim Director of Operations. We are confident in her ability to lead the organization through this time of transition and push Religions for Peace-USA to new levels of growth. She will be assisted in these endeavors by Maxim Bakaleynik, newly appointed Coordinator of Finances & Operations.

In this new stage of Religions for Peace-USA’s development, we are taking the time to examine our past, present, and future. We will look deeply at the mission and vision of RFP-USA to determine if we are best serving the interests of our member communities and individual supporters. To do this, we encourage you to tell us what you have valued about Religions for Peace and what you would like to see more of. What programs have been helpful and meaningful to you? Which have connected with you? What resources or services do we not provide that you think we should?

Please email your comments to rfpusa@rfpusa.org

Something Positive About Muslims (and Jews)

2007-12-17T15:35:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I shared with you the speech given by the President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) conference. In return, when URJ had their biennial this last week in San Diego, Ingrid Mattson, the President of ISNA, gave a speech. I thought the speech was worth sharing. I have heard Ingrid Mattson speak before and she is wonderful.

This exchange is a part of a larger dialogue project that is being launched. You can check it out at http://urj.org/muslimdialogue/.

House Resolution 847

2007-12-11T13:26:00.000-05:00

Representative Steve King of Iowa introduced House Resolution 847: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and Christian faith to the House on December 6th. This resolutions calls for the House of Representatives to express respect and support for Christians as well as acknowledge the historical significance of Christmas.

Speaking as a Christian, this resolution seems silly. Personally, I don't need the House of Representatives to say that Christmas is important to the lives of many Americans. I can look outside during this time of year and see the proof of it with my own eyes. Most houses and businesses are decorated for Christmas and every commercial on tv right now mentions Christmas sales or getting the perfect gift for the special someone.

As well, this resolution hints that it is only Christians and Christianity that founded and shaped our nation. While I would agree that Christianity has played a large role, I don't want to imply that it is the only religion that has shaped our nation. People of many faiths have contributed to the development of the United States and I worry about a resolution that seems to deny their contributions. But this is only my opinion, check out the full text of the resolution and form your own opinion.

Yet Another Post About Hate Against Muslims

2007-12-06T14:24:00.001-05:00

My apologies to all those readers who waited patiently through our brief hiatus of posts for our return, only to receive two of my posts in one week about hate against Muslims. Unfortunately, there is a lot to post about.

I was particularly bothered today when, upon reading the latest news, I found an article by the Associated Press about a Clinton staffer who resigned her position after forwarding a chain e-mail to friends and colleagues insinuating that Barak Obama is a Muslim who wants to destroy the United States by being elected to the office of the President.

That is not what bothered me, though. What bothered me was the paragraph that immediately followed, consisting of a single sentence:

"Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ and has never been a Muslim."

It seems to me that the author of this article has completely missed the point. The problem with the e-mail was not that Senator Obama is not a Muslim; the problem with the e-mail is that it equated Islam with subversive behavior and treasonous activities.

Whether or not Senator Obama is or has ever been a Muslim is immaterial to his campaign. If religion must play a role in the political discussion, although I often wish it didn't, let it be the path by which candidates discuss their personal stance on controversial issues, their attitudes towards others and goals for the future, their beliefs about themselves and the world in which we live. Religion is not a tool by which we can judge others based on our personal prejudices and mass stereotypes.

Full text of the article is available here.

Youth Changing Christianity

2007-12-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

Young people are changing the face of Christianity according to a report by the Barna Group discussed in the Christian Post

While the image of Christianity in the United States has suffered in recent years with many people seeing it as anti-homosexual, out of touch and hypocritical young faithful people are working to change their religion to meet their views of the spiritual life.

Younger people are less interested in rigid interpretations of the Scripture or routine religious services, seeing them as signs of close-mindedness. Instead more people are embracing "spiritual diversity in conversations and relationships; embracing racial diversity and tolerance...and accepting divergent forms of spiritual community."

Towards a New Beginning

2007-12-04T13:18:00.000-05:00

This is in response to an article sent by Rori titled, A Muslim- Christian Handshake (csmonitor.com). This is a phenomenal step in reducing the misunderstandings between the two religions. This outreach has been endorsed by each community's most authoritative councils/ office (by the Pope and 138 Muslim scholars and clerics), which is crucial for its success. If these religious communities realize that their leaders have begun to their resolve the long- standing issues, a gradual end to conflicts is possible. This event demonstrates that interfaith collaborations are possible if we do not let our pride, hatred and ignorance stand in our way. Let's hope that these talks are successful and will lead to a new beginning for religion and its future.

This is the link to the article, if interested: http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1204/p08s01-comv.html

Is All Hate Created Equal?

2007-12-04T13:03:00.000-05:00

In a country that discusses tolerance as a rule and acceptance as an ideal, do Americans find some hate speech more, well, hateful than others?

In a recent article published by the Christian Science Monitor, correspondent Omar Sacirbey thinks the answer might be a resounding yes.

The latest debate has been sparked by Michael Savage's comments on his nationally syndicated radio show telling listeners that Muslims should be deported, along with rude comments about what they could do with their religion.

Although a number of individuals and corporations have since pulled their advertisements from the show, the comments did not create the same furor that got radio host Dan Imus fired after he denigrated a black women's basketball team. This has led many to question whether the consequences for hate speech against Muslims is less harsh than against other groups.

As the article expounds:

Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson resigned his post as head of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York after suggesting in October that black people are less intelligent than other races. ABC executives decided this year not to invite actor Isaiah Washington back to the cast of the hit TV show "Grey's Anatomy" after he allegedly used an antigay slur. When presidential candidate Jesse Jackson failed to distance himself from anti-Semitic remarks made by Louis Farrakhan in 1983, his campaign suffered. Sen. Trent Lott (R) of Mississippi resigned as majority leader in 2002 after jokingly suggesting that America would be better off today had Strom Thurmond, the late South Carolina senator, won the presidency in 1948, when he campaigned as a segregationist.

On the other hand, presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani has endured little scrutiny for touting an endorsement this month from TV evangelist and onetime presidential candidate Pat Robertson, who has called Islam "Satanic" and the prophet Muhammad "a wild-eyed fanatic."

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 35 percent of Americans had an unfavorable opinion of Muslims, and increase from 29 percent in March of 2002. The same survey shows a rise in the number of people who say Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence.

In the land of the free and the home of the brave, is tolerance a rule only for those we believe deserve tolerance?

Meditate NYC

2007-10-10T14:22:00.000-04:00

The New York Buddhist Council has put together an event called Meditate NYC. The kickoff even is Sunday October 21st from 1-6 at St John the Divine (synod house). It is a free event full of meditation, movement, and performance. The following week will contain meditation open houses at a number of locations throughout New York City. If you've ever considered checking out meditation this would be a wonderful opportunity to get an introduction to many different kinds of Buddhist meditation practices. More information is online at www.meditatenyc.org

Islam and Judaism

2007-10-09T14:48:00.001-04:00

I found a very interesting article about Islam and Judaism:

Islam and Judaism

It is important to expose this historical fact to let the Muslims know that some Jewish groups have an objective perspective and were fair in building relationship with Islam. They are not like what the Muslims think.

By: Abd Moqsith Ghazali

Relationship between Islam and Judaism is often described in a bad way. Most of Muslims assumed that Jews are dishonest, stubborn and evil people. This perspective is based on the fact that Jews of Medina in the days of the Prophet has broken the political treatise, namely Medina Charter. It led to a conflict between Muslim and Jews. The Jews of Bani Mushtaliq had planned to murder prophet Muhammad under al-Harits bin Abi Dlirar’s command. Prophet heard about this information and therefore battle occurred. Until now, Palestine has not been a safe zone for its citizen, since Jews and Muslims have been fighting each other.

Based on these evidences, some Muslims concluded and generalized that the Jews are not to be trusted. To support this argument they took Quranic verse, “And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed” (QS al-Baqarah: 120). Another verse said: “Many of the People of the Scripture long to make you disbelievers after your belief, through envy on their own account, after the truth had become manifest unto them (2: 109). In fact this verse specifically responded the attitude of Jews such as Ka`ab ibn al-Asyraf, Hayy ibn Akhthab, Abu Yasir ibn Akhthab, Syas ibn Qais al-Yahudi who wanted to convert Muslims into Jewish. Unfortunately, this social-political verse was regarded as theological verse.

We know that generalization means simplification. History proved that not every Jews treat the Muslims badly. First, when prophet Muhammad was twelve years old, (585), he accompanied his uncle Abu Thalib in a business trip to Syam. As they reached Boshra, they met a Jewish rabbi named Buhaira. This rabbi asserted that there are three eminent persons namely Buhaira, Rubab al-Syana, and the expected one, who is a young man beside him, namely Muhammad. When Muhammad and Maysarah went to Syam on the other day to run Khadijah’s business (before he married her), Nestor (a Jewish rabbi) testified on Muhammad’s prophethood. Nestor said that he is a prophet. It means that recognition upon Muhammad’s propethood came for the first time from the Jews, namely Buhaira and Nestor.

Second, Mukhayrîq, a Jewish man from Bani Tsa’labah who was smart and rich (he owed many farms and date palm gardens) was a victim of Uhud war. As he listened that there will be battle between Meccan polytheists against Muslim, Mukhayrîq told his fellows to support the Medina Charter. In the Medina Charter, defending Muslims is the right thing. When his fellows protested because the battle was taking place on Sabbath, Mukhayrîq replied that helping Muhammad does not disgrace the Sabbath, and affirmed that Muhammad is his heir. “If only I die in this battle, all of my treasures will go to Muhammad for a matter which God shows him”. Mukhayrîq asserted. Afterward he prepared his sword, went to Uhud hill, fought the polytheists and got killed there. Mukhayrîq was a prototype of Jew who strongly uphold the agreement.

Third, the Jews had helped Muslims in conquering the city of Andalus in Spain. In the age of Abbasid Empire, the Jews –beside the Christians and Sabeans- helped the government’s administration. They were also involved in translating Greek works into Arabic. It is important to expose this historical fact to let the Muslims know that some Jewish groups have an objective perspective and were fair in building relationship with Islam. They are not like what the Muslims think.

http://islamlib.com/en/page.php?page=article&id=1303

Islam and Judaism

2007-10-09T14:48:00.000-04:00