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JEWISH AND MUSLIMORGANISATIONS UNITE TO

CREATE EUROPEAN PLATFORMFOR CO-OPERATION

What is the role of the Middle East conflict in Jewish-Muslim

dialogue? Is the media a positive force for change in inter-

religious relations? How can local communities be

successfully engaged in dialogue? These were a number of

the questions tackled by representatives of Jewish and

Muslim organisations at a Conference on Jewish-Muslim

Dialogue held in Brussels last week.

23/4/2007- Addressed by speakers including Imam Dr

Abduljalil Sajid (Chairman of the Muslim Council for Religiousand Racial Harmony UK), Rabbi Michel Serfaty (Founder &President of Amiti Judo-Musulmane de France) andEuropean Commission Culture Director Vladimir Sucha,participants were reminded of their shared religious andcultural heritage and were encouraged to join forces ratherthan working against each other. A key outcome of theConference was the establishment of a European Platformfor Jewish-Muslim Co-operation to both encourage and toraise the profile of local, national and Europe-wide dialogueand co-operation initiatives. In providing a forum for thesharing of experiences, ideas and good practices, theConference also witnessed the initiation of new partnershipsbetween organisations and the development of project ideasin the arts, media coverage of Jewish and Muslim issues,religious diversity training, grassroots involvement,academic co-operation and joint lobbying efforts. Awards forbest practice in Jewish-Muslim co-operative initiatives werealso proposed.

The Conference also saw the release of mapping reportscompiling information on partnerships, initiatives and bestpractice in the field of Jewish-Muslim dialogue in Belgium,the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK and France. Presented byDr Richard Stone, Founding Director of Alif-Alef UK, the

reports show that although there are real challenges facingdialogue initiatives including not only the Middle Eastconflict and gender issues but also structural differencesbetween communities and the need for time and effort tosustain dialogue there is nevertheless a great deal ofpositive contact between Jewish and Muslim communities inthe countries studied, and this is growing. Organised byBrussels-based Jewish anti-racism organisation CEJI withguidance from a Jewish -Muslim Steering Group, theEuropean Conference on Jewish-Muslim Dialogue wasconceived with a view to promoting dialogue, exchange ofbest practice, co-operation and partnership between Jewishand Muslim communities in Europe. It welcomed seventy

Jews and Muslims from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark,the UK and France who are involved in or interested in

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dialogue at a community level. Organisations representedincluded the European Muslim Network, the InternationalCouncil of Jewish Women (ICJW) and Islamic Relief.

Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, Chairman of the Muslim Councilfor Religious and Racial Harmony UK and the National

Association of British Pakistanis and Conference SteeringGroup member stated of the initiative: The EuropeanConference comes at a crucial time in Jewish-Muslimrelations. In bringing together people working to increasereligious harmony and tolerance within their owncommunities, it provides a much-needed focus on theirachievements and is an important step towards tacklinganimosity and misunderstanding between Jews andMuslims. As CEJI Director Robin Sclafani explained, Jewish-Muslim dialogue initiatives are valuable not only for creatingrespect and understanding between communities but also as

a source of inspiration for intercultural relations as a wholeand a demonstration of solidarity in the fight against all

forms of racism. Participant Shereen Williams of RadioSalaam Shalom, the UKs first Muslim and Jewish radiostation, added: There is an increasing understanding thatJews and Muslims in the UK and worldwide have a commonhistory that dates back thousands of years. Now, more thanever, it is time to draw on and learn from our positivecultural experiences. CEJI

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