Jewish-Muslim Study Course Grounds Interfaith Dialogue In Sacred Text

February 9, 2010

Author: Sue Fishkoff

Source: JTA

http://jta.org/news/article/2010/02/09/1010531/jewish-muslim-study-course-grounds-interfaith-dialogue-in-sacred-text

Judaism is a harsh, exacting faith condemning rebellious children to death by stoning. Islam exhorts Muslims to kill non-believers.

Neither statement, according to many Jewish and Muslim scholars, is true. But they are among the most persistent charges laid at the feet of Judaism and Islam by those who are unfamiliar with the basic holy texts of the other’s faith.

Hampered by such ignorance, how can Jews and Muslims engage in real interfaith dialogue?

A new graduate-level course in Berkeley, billed as the first of its kind, aims to rectify this failing, at least for the 40 or so students enrolled.