Muslims, Jews Celebrating

September 30, 2008

Author: Gregg Krupa

Source: The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/METRO/809300371/1041/LIFESTYLE04

Rabbi Aaron Bergman busied himself preparing for today, the first celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, with his new congregation at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills.

Fred Abbiss noted the sharply escalated counter sales at his family's business of 30 years, Cedars Bakery, in Dearborn, where Muslims prepared for the joyous holiday of Eid al-Fitr, today and Wednesday, marking the end of the monthlong fasting and prayerful discipline of Ramadan.

Brenda Rosenberg of Bloomfield Hills finished baking her apple muffins and hurried off to buy more apples to be dipped in honey for Rosh Hashana. And Hassan Alaoui of Dearborn prepared to visit with members of his extended family and the graves of others for Eid.

It is both Rosh Hashana and Eid al-Fitr, and Jews and Muslims in Metro Detroit will each celebrate in their own ways, with occasional recognition of each other across religious, cultural and political divides that are often at the forefront of their relationships in both Metro Detroit and across the globe.