Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Leaders to Prove Unity

|TOP|With hope to generate peace within different religious groups, leaders representing each religion will come together next Monday at the Central Library in London to prove their beliefs that Christians, Jews, and Muslims can get along.

Furthermore, the representatives; a priest, rabbi and imam, are to talk about signs of hope in Jerusalem. The meeting will start at 2 pm.

Many people of differing faiths live peacefully as neighbours in the world, but it's important to take deliberate steps as well, said Rabbi Joel Wittstein of Temple Israel, London's Reform congregation of Judaism.

Small acts can generate hope and co-operation, he said.

"We're hoping this won't be a one-time thing," he said. "We're hoping it will lead to a partnership in some programs."

|AD|Munir El-Kassem, Imam of the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario, said the participants are talking about a venture to send groups of Christian, Jewish and Muslim youths to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is "a holy city for all of us," El-Kassem said, as it s the city where Jews gather to pray. It’s also where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected and Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad made his ascent to heaven.

"I lived in a Catholic community across from a mosque and I can name a number of initiatives where Christians, Jews and Muslims were getting together in common cause and dialogue," Watson said.

"We don't want to pretend there's no historical baggage between our faiths, but we all believe our faiths call us to stand for justice and peace, not prejudice, intolerance and conflict."

El-Kassem said the three participants want to share their hopes that "peace and justice will prevail"

"We want to show that in the midst of conflict there are strong signs that people of different beliefs . . . are longing to enjoy each other's company."