101 ■ 101111MOMEMINIIILW- 1011010111111111M0011111M1V/111111111101SWA•1111101 ■ 74.00k11100:1111111I1L5 1011WAMI believe that peace between the two is "a far-fetched dream." Yet Muslim-Jewish histo- ry is in fact "rich with this cordiality, this harmony," Imam Fareed said. Imam Mardini labeled an- tagonism in the Middle East the result of politics, not re- ligion. But problems could be solved if both Muslims and Jews followed God's will, he said. Preceding their talks, the guests — all members of the Greater Detroit Interfaith Round Table — had com- pleted fasting for Ramadan, the month-long observance during which Muslims abs- tain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Just after their speeches, the men spoke briefly about their own lives. A convert from Christiani- ty and former altar boy, Imam Bey El-Amim said he became a Muslim as part of his search "for the deeper spiritual meaning of life." He said Black Muslims have, in the past, incorrectly asserted that Islam regards "the white man as the devil." In fact, the Koran says all men are created equal and those of all faiths who believe in God and per- form good deeds will be rewarded, he said. Imam Mardini is a native of Lebanon, who holds a bachelor's degree in com- parative religion and a master's degree in the Islamic banking system. Asked about Lebanese Muslims' attitudes toward the United States, Imam Mardini first gave a long sigh. Then he said the Lebanese are bombarded with negative reports about the United States and have been greatly affected by fighting in their country. A 16-year-old boy will have grown up seeing nothing but war in Lebanon, he said. "What do you want him to think?" Born in South Africa, Imam Fareed attended a seminary in India and studied in Egypt. He holds a master's degree in religious studies. ❑ Can You Say Maize In Hebrew? NOAM M.M. NEUSNER Staff Writer n 1492, Columbus sailed . . . Mnemonics aside, this year marks the 500th an- niversary of several milestones in Spanish histo- ry — including the well- fated but ill-planned discovery of the New World. But, as the old saying goes, was it good for the Jews? The history books tell us When Columbus made contact with the Indians, some people thought they were the lost tribes of Israel. that 1492 also meant the ex- pulsion of the Jews from Spain. Not so good. Lest we forget, however, that it was not all bad, the University of Michigan's Frankel Center for Judaic Studies is running a series of programs observ- ing both the expulsion of Spanish Jews and the discovery of the New World. Most see the two events as unrelated — not Richard Popkin of UCLA, who will be speaking 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Rackham Amphitheatre. According to Mr. Popkin's research, around the time of Columbus' "discovery," all of Christian Europe thought that if the lost tribes of Israel could be found, the Se- cond Coming would occur. When Columbus made contact with aboriginal Americans, many people theorized that these native Americans were the lost Jews. Some said that Spanish Jews would actually communicate with the na- tives in Hebrew, and that their password was from the Sh'ma. Similarities were in- vented about how Indians and Jews both were savages and cannibals. Also part of the weekend conference will be a Satur- day night concert by the Waverly Consort, a singing group specializing in Renaissance-era music. They will perform works from Jewish, 15th century church and Moorish Spain. The program, which is part of a year-long commemora- tion, has explored the expul- sion with lectures on Spanish Jews and conversos (Jewish converts to Chris- tianity) in medieval Spain. Future events include lec- tures on Jewish com- munities in the New World and American Jewish perceptions of Columbus. ❑ Huntington Banks A smarter NVO to bank *, 'Prime Rate" is the Bank Prime Loan Rate as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Rate example: If the Prime Rate is 612%, and our margin is 1 1/2% over prime, our ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE would be 8% (rate in effect at publishing date 2/92). The rate is subject to change monthly and will not exceed 18%. You will be required to carry insurance on the property that secures your account. Consult your tax advisor relative to interest deductibility. 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