The English word “religion” comes from the Latin word “religare,” meaning “to unite.” In fact, we think of religion as a force that unites people into communities with common beliefs and values. But too often religion has a divisive influence, pitting people against each other and even leading to intolerance and violence.
Given this sad record, despite the thousands of lives lost in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip during Ramadan, and the Even amid rising tensions between Iran, there is a sense of relief. An Iranian consulate was built in Damascus, which resulted in the Islamic Republic launching hundreds of drones and missiles toward the Jewish state. Fortunately, the conflict has not escalated into a more brutal religious war between Muslims and Jews.
I was in Jerusalem on the eve of Ramadan, and Israel was bracing for an explosion of violence during Ramadan and serious concerns over prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Such conflicts could easily have been sparked by violent clashes between Muslims and Israeli security forces at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, during the just-ended month of Ramadan. There is a possibility that the
Religion should bring people together, not separate them.
The fact that widespread violence did not erupt during Ramadan in 2024 is significant, as this year was the period of greatest tension due to the Gaza-Israel war, but efforts are being made to end the horrific war currently raging. This gives rise to hope that religious beliefs may play an even greater role in the future. A land sacred to all the children of Abraham.
The situation in Al-Aqsa and its surrounding areas has remained largely calm this year during the just-ended holy month of Ramadan, with Israeli police and Muslims suffering an outbreak of violence with tear gas and rubber bullets. It was a sharp contrast to the fierce battles with the worshipers. It occurred in and around Al Aqsa in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In previous years, horrific acts of violence occurred on the last Friday of Ramadan. This year, by contrast, on Friday, April 5, we were elated to witness the blessed sight of 120,000 Muslim worshipers praying peacefully in Al Aqsa.
Avoiding conflict in al-Aqsa required similar wise decisions by Israelis and Palestinians. In the weeks before the start of Ramadan, fears had been growing that religious violence would erupt in Haram al-Sharif, partly due to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s attacks on Jerusalem and Jordan. The attack stemmed from calls for Palestinians in the West Bank to march on mosques. .
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has submitted a proposal to ban all Muslim prayers in Al-Aqsa during Ramadan. However, to the surprise of political analysts, Ben Gvir’s proposal was firmly rejected by Israel’s War Cabinet, which stated that “Israel’s policy has been and will continue to be to ensure that all religions on the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque “It’s about maintaining freedom of worship.” ”
This year, Israel’s apparently less confrontational approach to allowing Muslim worshipers access to al-Aqsa during Ramadan came from an unusual source: Arab List leader MK Mansour Abbas. It brought praise and called on the Arab community to “exercise their right to worship and observe this holiday.” within the next month, while complying with the law and maintaining public order. ”
President Abbas’ statement condemns Palestinians and Israeli Arabs (Israeli Arabs) alike to allow violence to erupt, endangering the lives of worshipers and destroying al-Aqsa and other Islamic shrines. This signaled a clear determination not to fall into the hands of Hamas. Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) is in danger.
Palestinian and Israeli realists are active in their respective fields, defeating extremists on both sides, firmly rejecting all efforts to provoke violence in the heart of Jerusalem, and supporting Jews and Muslims around the world. Needless to say, it could have dire consequences for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
For a glimpse of what will happen in the Holy Land when adherents of Abrahamic faiths eschew fear of each other and connect face-to-face, visit the Interfaith Conference in Jerusalem on April 4th. There was no need to look beyond Iftar. The event brought together 80 Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Druze from all over Israel and the West Bank. [Judea and Samaria], and in East Jerusalem, we had heartfelt conversations over a celebratory meal of Makruba, a Palestinian culinary specialty, an event that my own Foundation for Ethnic Understanding has proudly supported for 20 years. Sponsored by the Interreligious Encounter Association (IEA), an organization with a history of With 40 local chapters of approximately 10 members each in Israel, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, Israeli and Palestinian participants meet at least once a month to discuss religious issues and build upon commonalities in their mutual traditions. Discover the differences.
Looking at a tableau of hijab-clad Muslim women sitting side by side, speaking with warmth, passion, and candor to secular and religious Jews, IEA Jewish Community Manager Carolina Frimer said: He commented: This event uses religious language, food and culture to say opposites and show that these can bring people together rather than divide them. ”
Abiel Abdalnabi, a Muslim woman from Jerusalem and the IEA’s director general, said: “I have been in the position of a hostage and a civilian in Gaza. This situation is very difficult for both Arabs and Jews. This Iftar is about what we can do now to restore hope… The important thing is to not lose faith. If we don’t believe that things will get better, we won’t get far. ”
With the end of Ramadan, which calls for self-reflection in Muslim observers, and the beginning of Passover, the Jewish festival of hope, salvation, and optimism, hope and faith truly spring forth forever. Israel and the Palestinians desperately need both attributes today to end the violence in Gaza and begin the long road toward peace and stability in the region.
The author is a rabbi, chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, and a prominent advisor to major Gulf countries. He is the author of Sons of Abraham: A Candid Conversation About the Issues that Divid and Unite Muslims and Jews.
