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Jewish, Muslim clergy discuss religious divisions

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Two high-profile religious leaders, Rabbi Andrea Lerner and Mamoon Sayd, came together in a forum at Chadborne Residential Hall to discuss their perspectives on peace, toleration, violence and war in the Torah and Koran as well as the relations between Muslims and Jews.

The forum, Peace in the Text, was co-sponsored event put on by Kavana, a pro-Israel group, and the Muslim Student Association. Mary Rouse moderated the discussion.

?Diversity is difference and commonality,? Rouse said in her introduction, ?and engagement is a powerful tool for education. What we can learn here is transferable to all different cultures and religions.?

Both Lerner and Sayd talked about the importance of diversity, yet both stressed the presence of similarities between Islam, Judaism and people who practice them, stressing that it was simply a matter of education and reaching out to others.

Lerner and Sayd were asked about passages in the Torah and Koran dealing with issues like peace, tolerance, violence and war.

Lerner expressed that there were many messages of peace in the Torah and that many prayers of peace are used in services. In contrast, she said the Jewish people accepted war as a way of life and referred to God as a warrior in the text. She used various quotes from the Torah to support her statements.

?The Jewish people seek peace personally and in everything they do,? said Lerner. ?Our perfect image is of perfect peace in the world; all people [are free from] conflict - they are free from war and free from hate.?

Sayd said the Koran contains similar messages of peace and that a quarter of the text was either about peace, a path to peace or an outcome of peace. He said the text also supported war, arms and physical aggression under specific circumstances including self-defense, helping allied people or freeing people from tyranny. He also used a variety of quotes from the Koran to expound upon his answers.

?Islam itself means peace through submission,? said Sayd. ?The goal of this religion is peace.?

Lerner described the controversial relationship between Muslims and Jews as ?bittersweet.? Both Lerner and Sayd agreed that there have been hesitant attempts for Muslims and Jews to coexist, but that they were typically actions of individuals in communities and not a national movement.

?They have a lot in common and they should make peace with one another. There should be a coalition between Muslims and Jews,? Lerner said. ?They are two minorities that are strong, fervent, [religious and] aiming for peace.? She added, ?We have to work together with what we have in common as a student population and as a Madison community.?

Sayd said, ?We have so much in common. We have to expand this; we have to take the risks, make the tough decisions and get together for social events to create relationships and harmony.?

?This is a stepping stone of many for a greater understanding of Jewish and Muslim communities, and I hope this forum is the first of many,? said Ayman Kotob, a member of the Muslim Student Association.