Leaving Out The Muslhn

Attempts to have more active
lthough the Detroit area
relations with the Arab Muslim
is home to the largest
community have been tenuous at
Arab population outside
best.
of the Middle East and
Gad-Harf said the 14,000 Arab
has been for some time, the Muslim
Muslims who immigrate to the area
community has been largely left out
each year are less familiar than Jews
of efforts at interfaith relations.
with interfaith relations. "They still
Some leaders admit the tradition-
have ties to their native lands and
al definition of interfaith relations
they are not yet as acculturated as
must be expanded to include more
we are," he said. "The countries
izO
than just Jews and Christians and
they came from were, for the most
are making strides to do so.
part, Muslim countries. They were
At the University of Michigan, the
not minorities, for the most part."
work toward a successful triologue
Also, he said Arab Muslim corn-
began within the last few years, said
munity representation must be
U-M Hillel's Frederick Reeves, when
expanded to include a wider range
it was realized that the traditional
of people.
2 dialog was not inclusive of all groups.
We have to increase the number
It started because people were
of people involved with interfaith
interested in learning about other
activities for both Muslims and Jews,"
religions because there is a body of
Gad-Harf said. "We tend to deal with
stereotypes that exist," Reeves said.
the same four or five people. "
"At the time, people said, 'You
Imad Hamad, regional director of
know what? We live together, we
the American Arab Anti-
learn together, we work together.
Discrimination Committee which
We should be talking."'
represents both Christian and
The group's relationship led to
Muslim Americans of Arab descent, o
two recent programs about Israel,
said the Muslim community is very
which were sponsored by Jewish and
interested in establishing better
Palestinian student groups. "It has
interfaith relations. He said the
been successful in that the number
secret to better relations between
of people participating has grown
American Muslims and Jews is to
every year," Reeves said. "And it isn't
focus on the commonalties — such
always the same people.
as the experience of being a minority
In Detroit, only the National
group — rather than the differences.
Conference for Community and
"From my observation, there is
Justice pursues a continuing three-
an increase in the desire to have
way conversation among Jews,
that interaction, to take a better
Christians and Muslims.
course in communications,
David Blewett, the Lutheran min-
Hamad said. "Things that bring us
ister who heads the Ecumenical
together are greater than things that
Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies,
bring us apart."
stressed that his organization concen-
Arnold Michlin, co-founder of
trates on Christian-Jewish relations.
both the Muslim-Jewish-Christian
Including another voice and another
Trialog and American Arab and
body of people might take away from
Jewish Friends at NCCJ, agreed. He
that dialogue, he said.
said the immigrants need help in
"A fear is that if we bring another
acculturating to an American setting
party in at this point, a lot of the
where Jews and Muslims can live
things that Christians and Jews have to
together and help each other prosper.
look at will get skipped over," he said.
"For them to become Americans
David Gad-Harf, executive direc-
and not be anti-Semitic, we have to
tor of the Jewish Community
show them that we are Americans,
Council, says the Jewish community
we are Jewish and we are helping
has had good relations with some
them," he said. "We don't want to
Muslim groups, including those of
bring the vitriol from the Middle
Asian descent. Muslim adherents in
East, which they do.
the African-American community
"It is hard for them to lose it. It
are still relatively small in number,
is hard to shed their hatred. "But if
he said, mostly located in the city
we want them to, then we have to
and have little contact with the
help them.
Jewish community.
gomosamommaxzonamo
ommagoo manatawmosaggatorgewassmomdmosenge

ST S OIIETTIle

$50 - $200 Off All jackets

IM2111\10 QICCI

6omer8et 6outh • 1st Level

(248) 649-4433

Large selection of mens & women leathers by

ANDREW MARC

Private Bruno Ricci Leather Collection

DWYER

AND

)1

SONS

COLLISION CENTER

Collision Repair on All Makes and Models
JOEL GOLDHABER, Mgr.

(Formerly with Maxie Collision on Northwestern Hwy. is now serving
all previous and new customers at Dwyer & Sons)

• TOWING Service Available
• FREE LOANER available or ask about
• TURNING IN A LEASE CAR.?
our Deductible Savings Program
See me for a free pre-inspection
• FREE Estimates
ALL
INSURANCE
companies
accepted.
•
FREE
PICK UP & DELIVERY
•
Service
available
We are a direct repair for many.

(248) 624-0400

V,

I

•

3055 West Maple Road • 1/4 mile West of Haggerty Road

STEVEN TARNOW, C.R.

(248)
626-5603

PREFERRED

BUILDING CO.

Fax

248-932-0950

Residential & Commercial Remodeling

Building Quality Into Every Project With Unmatched Personal Service.

NARY

XAT7CMAL /4.10X, ► IION
1111 3710:0111.110 MOLEST/

Featuring Andersen Windows

Licensed & Insured

1/22
1999

Detroit Jewish News

15