June 26, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Sahar Taman
888-616-1192 after July 4, 2008
As a group of American delegates participating in a study tour on Religion and Society focused on learning about Islam in the Middle East set out for Syria today after five days in Cairo , Egypt in what has developed into an experiential workshop, there is excitement and even exhilaration. They are members of an eight person, multi-faith American delegation in the middle of an international citizen to citizen exchange program sponsored by the National Peace Foundation (NPF), a Washington , DC based NGO, in partnership with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a national Muslim organization.
The Americans are Christians, Muslims and Jews and include religious clergy, laymen and community activists from all over the US ; four men and four women. For six of the participants this is their first time to Egypt , and soon Syria , while the two co-leads of the study tour are American Muslims of Egyptian origin, Ms. Sahar Taman, Project Director for Middle East Program for the National Peace Foundation and Mr. Ahmed ElHattab, Director of Development for ISNA.
They have attended many events, learned a great deal about Islam, Muslims and Egyptian society and have many stories to tell. Rabbi Jeremy Schneider of Temple Shalom , Dallas , Texas reflects: “’Islamophobia’ is the fear of Islam based on misunderstandings and misconception. Islamophobia is real and present in the hearts and minds of many Americans. This experience on the ‘the Religion and Society Tour’ is opening my eyes to the truth, beauty and struggle found among Muslims. Five days into this tour, I am already eager to return to my congregation and begin sharing my experiences and teaching others about the truths I have learned through the relationships I am building with Egyptian Christians and Muslims.”
They have also had the opportunity to meet Egyptians who are their counterparts in these NPF and ISNA study tours; Egyptian Muslim delegates either coming in July 2008 or who have come to the United States in reciprocal study tours similarly focused on the dialogue of the place of religion in US society. The discussion is on Islam and America and the interfaith dialogue with Jewish and Christian organizations and religious institutions.
The Reverend Kent Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who is a pastor in LaCrosse, WI notes after many opportunities to meet Egyptian and also Saudi participants of these tours; “As a participant in this interfaith study tour to Egypt, I a have deep gratitude for the vision of NPF and ISNA to establish this program that makes dialogue with Muslim thinkers, practitioners, writers and activists in Egypt a reality. After just a few days it is apparent that the vital work of building trusting relationships is already bearing fruit after just three exchange trips. I am humbled by the doors that have opened to me for further dialogue about the role of religion in society, especially Islam. I have felt great admiration and profound respect for the individuals I have met and heard. The unique gifts of the leaders who have welcomed, interpreted and shared their faith values is a rich blessing for me. In particular in the Egyptian Province in the Nile Delta of Kafr ElSheikh, a small town two and a half hours north of Cairo , I am inspired by the young activists and organizers of 'Kinooz' a grassroots community development society which can be translated from Arabic as 'Treasures'. The countless hours they have volunteered in establishing program to address needs of the community / society is an inspiration to congregations of all faiths involved in community based organizing in my community. I have so much to learn.” Other programs involved meetings with Islam Online, a web-based media organization, and several Egyptian Youth Federation organizations.
Among the highlights was a salon style meeting, an Arab tradition, where participants presented their ideas and an audience of about 100 asked questions, sponsored by the Dar AlZahra Publishing House, among Egypt ’s foremost publishers of Islamic and political scholarship. Malka Fenyvesi, a community leader in Muslim Jewish relations said, "I sat with the honor and responsibility to speak about faith, political and identity with a curious intellectual society of Egyptians as the first Jewish person that many of them had ever met. Earlier in the day I had the honor of meeting with the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, and learning about Sharia of Islamic Law. These are memorable moments out of hundreds. This mutually enhancing and strengthening flow of information, experience and emotion is full of power, hope and promise. There is a great need for authentic learning and exchange to build understanding and we are all deeply in it."
The delegation is in Syria through June 28th. They plan to provide another report after the Syria leg of the tour.