FEBRUARY 3 • 2022 | 21

Interfaith 
Trip to Dubai

Rebecca Cooper, a Jewish student, said 
the following about the significance 
of seeing a Holocaust exhibit at the 
Crossroads of Civilization Museum: 
“Prior to this trip, I didn’t believe I 
could travel to Dubai. I wasn’t sure if I 
would be welcome, frankly. All of my 
preconceived notions fell away and my 
eyes opened. I was awe-struck visiting 
the first and only Holocaust Memorial 
in the Middle East, outside of Israel. It 
outlined to me that there is hope and 
change on the horizon.”
Added Ridaa Khan, “I can tell my 
Jewish peers were interested in learning 
about Islam and Ahmadiyyat, and I was 
interested in learning about Judaism, 

which we discussed together. 
“One light-hearted learning moment 
for me was during Shabbat when I was 
requested to go with my friend Chana, 
who was keeping Shabbat, to get some-
thing from her room,” she continued. 
“I wasn’t sure why until she asked me 
to press the elevator buttons … this is 
how I learned the extent to which some 
Jews observe Shabbat, not handling 
technology. 
“We laughed and I also gained 
respect and insight into the spiritual 
Jewish practices that I can draw par-
allels to in Islam. It seemed there were 
many similarities between Jews and 
Muslims that are often overlooked in 

politics today, which was important for 
us to feel.”
Cooper said, “We discussed inter-
faith differences and intrafaith conflict, 
such as the Ashkenazi, Sephardic and 
Mizrahi Jewish dynamics. 
“
Along with learning about conflicts 
Ahmadiyaa Muslims face within the 
Muslim community, all of us aligned in 
our yearning for peace and kindness for 
one another. Ultimately, we are much 
more similar than we are different.
“This trip showcased that peace 
begins with people-to-people interac-
tion and a collective willingness to care 
for each other,” Cooper continued. “It 

The JCRC/AJC Muslim-Jewish Mission at 
the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

At the new AJC office in Abu Dhabi, with Emirati and Saudi friends of AJC — and Israel! —Majed, 
Saoud and Loay. These Arab citizens’ deep love for Israel and its contribution and potential for the 
Middle East made a deep impression on our Muslim and Jewish students. 

This trip was about co-existence; 
what better place to see than 
the Palestine Pavilion!

continued on page 22

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE JCRC/AJC

