Faithbook launches on Facebook to tackle extremism

The first interfaith page on the popular site Facebook was launched Tuesday in an effort to foster greater understanding among people of different religions and to combat extremism.

Faithbook was created by a group of Jews supported by the Muslim Institute, according to The Times newspaper. It takes advantage of the social networking capabilities of Facebook to offer a space for religious people worldwide to hold religious discussions.

Simon Cohen, spokesman for Faithbook, noted that while there are other faith groups on Facebook, Faithbook is the only page that welcomes people of all faiths to join.

Cohen hopes the page will "engage the younger generation" and inform them about people of other faiths.

Members can upload photos of themselves and others, view images of sacred texts, and see prayers for international and interfaith "understanding" on the page.

The Movement for Reform Judaism, responsible for Faithbook, said it is important to use social networking sites for good.

"So much of what has happened with new media is that it has become a place where extremists can construct messages of hate and intolerance," said Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, executive director of the Movement, to The Times. "We have got to combat that and create a space where people who may not meet face to face can have a constructive debate."

Discussion topics include the place of religion in modern society and countering religious extremism.

"Irrespective of whatever cultural baggage we carry, racial background or faith that we follow, we have to recognise that our creator is the same whatever we call him," said Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, director of the Muslim Institute, who believes the page will be successful in spite of the religious differences between its members.

Faithbook so far has 327 fans.