Lowell Sun's article
on
ISGL's Community outreach program
that was held on Friday evening (11/18/2011)
A bridge between faiths
Local Muslims and Jews to host Thanksgiving service
By Debbie Hovanasian,
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CHELMSFORD -- It's not commonplace for a member of a Jewish community to enter a mosque or masjid. Likewise, Muslims don't often enter a synagogue or temple.
This lack of interfaith exchange is even more pronounced in the Middle East, where Jewish-Muslim conflicts date back at least a century, intensifying with the the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948.
In Greater Lowell, the walls between the religious communities are not so high. Jews, Muslims and Christians, as well as other faith communities, have joined in prayer and in serving the needy, two shared tenets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Yet in spite of the strong interfaith exchange, some local religious leaders have observed that there is still room for growth in understanding each other's beliefs and in making a statement for peace and harmony.
And so on Friday, Nov. 18, a Reform Jewish congregation from Lowell, an Islamic community from Chelmsford, the Greater Lowell Interfaith Leadership Alliance (GLILA), and anyone else who would like to participate, will break bread, pray and give thanks -- together.
The Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service begins with a welcome reception at 6:30 pm at Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley. The evening ends with prayer and a Thanksgiving dinner at the masjid of the Islamic Society of Greater Lowell.
People of all faiths and ages are encouraged to attend, said Rabbi Dawn Rose of Temple Emanuel and the Interfaith Alliance, adding that the people of her temple are "very excited" about the celebration.
"We want to make a statement and provide a means to get to know the folks at the mosque; to lift that veil of mystery and draw it aside, for our own congregation and anyone who wishes to join us," Rose said. "What better way to do this than to share prayers and food?"
Farook Taufiq, a native of India who has lived in Dracut for 40 years, shares the same enthusiasm for the Muslim community he helped to found.
"Thanksgiving is not a religious ceremony, it's an American tradition. We want all the community to come together to offer prayers of thanks to God," Taufiq said.
Recently at the masjid, "not one person raised their hand when I asked if anyone has ever been in a Jewish temple. The older people are more inhibited, but this will break that barrier," Taufiq said. "The children now have a golden opportunity to interact with other faiths. They are very happy to see their parents open up to it."
Taufiq adds that the young people of the Islamic Society are especially embracing this opportunity because they have already participated in interfaith events in high school and college.
Friday evening prayer for both religions converge, with Shabbat, the seventh day of the Jewish week that begins with Friday evening prayer, meeting Salat, the Muslim ritual of five prayer times daily. Shabbat will be observed at Temple Emanuel. Later at the masjid, Muslims will observe Isha Prayer, the evening and last prayer of Salat.
Non-Muslims will sit in the back of the prayer room to observe Isha, with men and women in separate areas according to Muslim prayer custom, Rose explained.
As the service begins at Temple Emanuel, the Hebrew custom of the blowing the shofar, a ram's horn, will signify that something important is about to happen, said Rose. Hussein Khalid will then say the Adhan, the Islamic call to prayer.
Attendees will observe the lighting of the Shabbat candles; hear the Hine Ma Tov, a Jewish Shabbat hymn about how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity; and Barchu, a call to Jewish prayer. The service will include poems and prayers by Muslims, Buddhists, a Native American prayer, and a procession of faiths that involves members of each religion carrying the various religious symbols.
Attendees will then "caravan" to the masjid for Isha, which begins at 8 p.m. Presentations at the Islamic Society will include representatives from the society, the Interfaith Alliance and a Thanksgiving proclamation from Lowell Mayor, James Milinazzo. Dinner will be served at 8:45 p.m., courtesy of the Interfaith Alliance.
"I hope that we gain a better understanding of the Jewish faith and an openness for future generations," said Taufiq.
Rose adds that she has seen evidence that previous interfaith events have succeeded in "making that connection across the gulf that would never have been bridged. That's the vision I have for Lowell, that the gulf between us becomes smaller and that when we walk down the street, we know each other."
Temple Emanuel, 101 West Forest St., Lowell; www.temv.org; Islamic Society of Greater Lowell, 131 Stedman St., Chelmsford; www.isgl.org.
Both aaaathe prayers will be held in the ISGL Masjid.
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