Muslims, Jews Plan Interfaith Dialogue

September 26, 2007

Author: Rachel Zelkowitz

Source: EmoryWheel.com

http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=24315

Bagels and pita bread, egg salad and hummus — the students piled their plates high with both as they enjoyed a meal after their respective fasts: the five Muslim students for Ramadan and the 10 Jewish students for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. But as they took their seats, there was a clear separation around the table: Jews sat on one side of the table, Muslim students on the other.

Still, for Emory Hillel director Michael Rabkin, Religious Advisor for Muslims Aysha Hidayatullah and Dean of Religious Life Susan Henry-Crowe, it was enough that the students were gathered together in the same room. It was the first official Muslim-Jewish break fast in Emory’s history and marked the start of what the Religious Life officials hope will be an ongoing dialogue between the Muslim and Jewish students on campus.