Dear Friends:
Last night I had the interesting experience of attending a dinner and discussion program with Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League who was previously Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The theme of the evening was “Faith, Resilience, and Reconciliation: Navigating Challenges in the Middle East” and it was attended by a very diverse group of religious leaders, academics, journalists, NGO leaders and officials of the State Department, the Saudi Embassy, and the United Nations.
Sheikh Al-Issa is an interesting figure whose life work is promoting moderate Islam and interfaith cooperation. The Muslim World League has cooperation agreements with, among others, the American Jewish Committee, the Vatican, and the Mormon Church. In 2020, Sheikh Al-Issa led a delegation of Muslim leaders to visit Auschwitz in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The Muslim World League is headquartered in Makkah (AKA Mecca) and is in essence a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi government, which is what makes the Sheikh’s activities and statements so interesting and significant. In his address last night and in response to questions, he was forthright in his condemnation of the October 7 massacre and in recognizing the difference between the Israeli government and the Israeli people. He called for the release of the hostages and for work towards a two-state solution (which means of course, recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.)
At dinner I was seated with, among others, an Egyptian-born professor of international relations from George Washington University and the White House correspondent of Telemundo. Sealed kosher dinners from Char Bar were provided for those attendees who requested kosher food, and clearly no expense was spared -- the salad course was a salad with grilled chicken and this was followed by a lovely steak and pareve chocolate lava cake.
After dinner I was interviewed by Saudi TV and while I praised the Sheikh’s message, I said that a greater contribution to the cause of peace would be if he made the same speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem. I do not know whether my interview was or will be broadcast, but I was glad of the opportunity to participate in an interesting and uplifting evening.
As a reminder, I am having drop-in hours on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 at the shul. For my drop-in hours, you do not need to make an appointment -- that would negate the whole point of drop-in hours -- but I’d urge you to check and make sure I am there regardless as sometimes there are unavoidable pastoral or other emergencies which might take me away from the building.
As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org or 301-977-0768 rather than through the synagogue office. I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment; if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by.
Additionally, if you know of a Kehilat Shalom congregant or another member of our Jewish community who could use a phone call, please let me know.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Charles L. Arian
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