Jewish, Christian, Muslim Dialogue Racism and Bigotry November 13, 2007 Introduction It is a great pleasure to be here tonight and to share the podium with such distinguished speakers and moderator. The song that John alluded to in his introduction talks about human brotherhood. To me this is what religion is all about. I will be addressing this in my short presentation. Racism and bigotry are signs of human vulnerability. We seek security in belonging to a group who would provide an identity and protection against others. Some feel special by hurting others whom they think are less special than they are. But religion came to tell us that there are better ways to feel secure and safe. Better ways to keep our identity and feel special. Religion tells us that the ultimate security is in seeking God’s path. It tells us that identity is best found when we identify with God, and that feeling special can be attained by serving people not by humiliating them. Islam came first to a tribal society that practiced racism as a normal mode of life. People were ranked according to their ethnicity, their color, their wealth and their degree of nobility. Islam came to destroy these notions by establishing the concept of brotherhood in humanity.

The Fundamentals -1 “O’ Mankind! Be conscious of your Lord, Who created you from a single soul, from which He created its mate, and through them He spread countless men and women.”[4:1] This verse addresses humanity and bringing it to its roots. It indicates that the first human couple were created from the same soul. All people who came afterwards shared the same soul. No one can claim nobility by birth, since we all go back to the same first couple.

The Fundamentals -2 “O’ Mankind! Surely We have created you of (a single pair) a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may get to know each other, surely the most honorable of you with Allah is that who is most God conscious.” [49:13] The concept of brotherhood in humanity is taken further by this verse. It introduces the concept of diversity. God created people to live together in different communities who may have different characteristics: nations and tribes. This is a deliberate plan for diversity and we are commanded to respect this diversity and to use it to enrich our lives by getting to know each other and work and collaborate with each other. The verse also sets a standard for superiority. This is the standard of God Consciousness. Nobility is attained not by ethnicity, wealth, power or color but by observing God’s commandments in our deeds and actions. And since, no one can measure our God consciousness except God himself, we have no way of ranking people. And we have no right of attaching superiority to on over the others.

The Fundamentals- 3 “Among His signs is that He created you from dust; and then Behold you are human beings scattered far and wide. And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has planted love and mercy between your hearts. This verse reminds us again of our origin. It brings forward the concept that humans have souls and bodies. We were told that we all share the same soul and this verse tells us that the origin of our bodies is the same: dust. What kind of superiority can come from this origin. The second verse talks about the relationship between males and females a relationship founded in mercy and built on love and compassion not on the superiority of a sex over the other.

The Fundamentals- 3 And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and the variations in your languages and your colors. In that there are signs for those who know.”[30:20-22] And finally, the third verse talks about how diversity is a sign of the power and majesty of God. The ability to create billions of people with different characteristics is amazing.

The Fundamentals- 5 “We have indeed honored the children of Adam and carried them on land and at sea and gave them for sustenance things that are good and pure and elevated them above many of our creation”[17:70] This verse provides a statement of place of humans in the universe. Humans are honoured by God. They were given privileges over other creations of God.

Rituals Prayers Fasting This verse provides a statement of place of humans in the universe. Humans are honoured by God. They were given privileges over other creations of God.

Prayers Muslims perform obligatory prayers five times every day. They are urged to do it in congregation, however they are also allowed to do it individually if they are not able to do it in congregation. Once a week they must do it in congregation. When praying, we line up in rows, shoulder to shoulder and foot to foot. There is no distinction for people in power when they stand in these rows. The rich is side by side with poor. The black stands side by side with the white.

Pilgrimage Pilgrimage is another expression of equality of people. Men are dressed in shrouds, one covering the upper part of the body and another covering the lower part. You would not be able to differentiate between the King and the cleaner.

Pilgrimage “Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this ancient Holy land, the home of Abraham and Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures. [Malcolm X]

Respect “O’ you who believe let not some men ridicule other men, it may be that they are better than them; and let not some women ridicule other women, it may be that they are better than them.”[49:11]

Manners “Serve God and do not associate partners with Him and do your best to your parents, your kinsfolk, the orphans, the needy, the neighbor who is near, the neighbor who is stranger, the near friend, the wayfarer, and those whom your right hand posses.”[4:36]

Superiority “No superiority for an Arab over a non- Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab, or a red-skinned over a black-skinned nor a black-skinned over a red-skinned except through virtue and piety.” [Prophet’s Last Sermon] In his last sermon, which is considered as his will to Muslims, prophet enunciated the rules of equality very clearly: no superiority based on ethnicity, or color. The best among you in the eyes of God is the most pious