Muslim scholars extend olive branch to Jewish leaders
February 27, 2008
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February 27, 2008
Muslim scholars and leaders meeting in Britain have sent a letter to Jewish rabbis around the world calling for a far-reaching dialogue to try to end long-standing conflicts between the two faiths.
Some 100 imams, rabbis and community leaders, as well as businessmen and journalists, gathered Monday in Cambridge for what organizers billed as the "world's first cross-denominational statement in modern times from Muslims to Jews."
In the keynote address, Oxford University professor Tariq Ramadan explained the letter as an attempt to "generate dialogue and understanding between Jews and Muslims."
"At the moment," the letter said, "there is no challenge more pressing than the need to bring to a closure some of the historical and long-lasting estrangements between the Jews and Muslims."
The letter outlined no details, but instead called for "positive and constructive action to improve Muslim-Jewish relations." It insisted, "We must keep talking, especially when we do not agree."
Ramadan said he saw dialogue with Jews as "a risk but a necessity."
He said, "We need to get beyond `tolerance,' which is saying that `I put up with you but I would rather you were not here,' to a mutual knowledge and respect."
