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Tools For Tolerance in Los Angeles Community
by Sahar Kassaimah
LOS ANGELES, Oct 15 (IslamOnline) - On Sunday, around 1,000 Muslim and non-Muslim Americans attended an interfaith panel discussion at Claremont United Church of Christ, under the title of "Tools for Tolerance".
The event, which was the first in a series of interfaith discussions, focused on the important role of tolerance, mercy, forgiveness and brotherly love in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The Islamic Center of Claremont and Claremont United Church of Christ organized the program.
"Some weeks ago, Rev. Henderson, the Senior Pastor of the United Church of Christ, made a very nice remark, saying that an attack on Islamic centers is an attack on the Church of Christ," said Jamal Al-Henaid, moderator of the event.
Among the speakers were Jamal Badawi, a renowned Islamic scholar and professor at St. Mary's University at Halifax; Gary Gilbert, an assistant professor of religious studies at Claremont McKenna College; Bishop Samuel Scheibler, director of religion and culture at the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University; and Reverend Butch Henderson, senior pastor at the United Church of Christ.
After Al-Henaid welcomed speakers and attendees, he introduced a Mr. Emad, a member of the Islamic Center of Claremont's congregation, who was beaten on October 3rd by two angry men. His business was also burned down; he is an Arab Muslim.
"I woke up with the feeling that life is not worth it any more," said Emad. "But the hundred of support letters and the flowers all over my bed encouraged me to feel alive and to get back to my store."
After this example of hateful acts committed in the Claremont community, Gilbert explained how Jewish people have been hurt for long time simply because they are Jewish. He also said the whole essence of the Torah is to only do to others what you like to be done with you.
"Dealing with tolerance means you have to deal with it before it takes place, and after it takes place," said Gilbert.
Henderson spoke next. He stressed that one must not stereotype. "If someone does a bad action, don't profile all others who are like him thinking that they will do the same."
"God is one, and has many families; the Jewish, the Buddhist, the Christian and the Muslim family."
"Therefore, we should all work to form the human family," he added.
Then, Scheibler, the third speaker, pointed out that history shows that societies seem to always seek sameness, confirming that it is the role of religion to correct these thoughts.
He also mentioned that religion is not supposed to give people the way they most like living in, but in contrast, it must give them the higher level of living the right way, no matter whether it is favored or not.
"Muslims don't have to change themselves to be accepted in America, because Islam is already an American religion," said Scheibler.
"We must not only accept that people are different, but also to understand and embrace it. We must work against the way things have always been and put aside human differences."
Badawi spoke last. He started by asking whether Islam equals Muslim, and whether every Muslim action equals Islam. He stated that an Islamic act should conform to the Qur'an, the Hadith (the documented sayings of the Prophet [SAW]) and the objectives of Islamic law.
He also mentioned that the meaning of Islam is to attain peace with God, self and other creations of God, explaining how peace is central in Islam. He also pointed to the universal brotherhood of Islam and how all humans belong to one family.
"And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors: verily in that are signs for those who know," (30-22), recited Badawi, explaining how the Qur'an presents the reason of having different language and skin colors.
"It is not the color nor the ethnicity that evaluate the person, but the righteousness."
He also talked about plurality in Islam. "If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind One people: but they will not cease to differ," (11-118), recited Badawi from the Qur'an.
Badawi also pointed the meaning of "jihad" in Islam. "I would give a million dollars to anyone who finds the word of 'holy war' in the Qur'an," said Badawi.
"Such words do not appear in the Qur'an," he added. "These words should not go together because there is nothing holy about war."
"Many people have been cutting and pasting and coming up with their own meanings of this kind of 'jihad'," said Badawi.
Badawi talked about the universal justice in Islam and how it requires solid evidence, confirming that the punishment should be limited to those who commit the crime and not to an entire country.
He explained that religion should not be blamed for its followers' actions. "No one tried to associated McVeigh, a Christian who committed a horrific act, with the other Christian[s]."
"Why Islam is the only religion that is always associated with terrorism?" asked Badawi.
When IslamOnline asked Al-Henaid about the purpose behind the event, he said that all Islamic centers should work hard to have better and stronger relations and connections with non-Muslims. "Since we are Americans, we should be proactive in making our decisions."
"The problem is that many of us do not feel yet that they belong to this society."
"As Muslim American[s], we should not wait for those who consider themselves as experts to analyze and explain our opinions to the American society," said Al-Henaid.
"This is our role. We should express our opinions and explain our decisions in all Islamic and Arabic issues. That way, the American society will feel that Muslims belong to this society."
Badawi told IslamOnline that the Islamic religion encourages its followers to communicate and have dialogues with all humans, especially with Christians and Jews, because they participate with us in many things.
"These events will not just help people to learn more about Islam," said Badawi. "But will also help them to understand the Islamic issues and causes by listening to Muslims' opinions and thoughts."
When asked what encouraged him to participate in the event, Gilbert said, "This is a fundamental issue that touches our religious committees, especially for this time."
"I came today, to try to elevate tolerance by speaking more tolerance," said Gilbert to IslamOnline.
Among the attendees was Sheikh Alaa Ramadan, the Imam of the Islamic Center of Claremont. He told IslamOnline that it is very important for Muslims to attend these activities.
"Many American people are curious to learn more about Islam, especially nowadays."
"They are waiting for Muslims to explain to them what they need to know and what they could not understand," said Ramadan.
"Like if they are telling us: we have the Islamic books, but where are you?''
"Muslims in this country, and all Western countries, should enlarge their intentions," said Ramadan. "Whether they came here with the intention of working or learning in American universities, they need to renew their intentions and to remember their role in da'wa [introducing Islam] towards those who need to learn about Islam."
Kathryn Kirwi, a non-Muslim attendant, said, "I came today because I wanted to learn more about Islam and also to show support for Islamic community members."
Cathleen Crautor told IslamOnline that she is happy to learn more about Islam. "I feel like I learned more today about Islam, especially about
jihad."
"Absolutely fabulous. So needed. Life reaffirming. Healthy," said Pat, another one of the non-Muslim attendees at the event.
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