Muhammad became initiated into the new religion that he helped to build when the angel Gabriel asked him to recite and he couldn’t. The textbook also talks about the feelings that motivated Muhammad to continue studying and devoting time to his new goal. The origin of the Qur’an is important as a collection of the recitations that Muhammad had in his lifetime. The poetic style of the Qur'an is as important as its content, which includes religious doctrine, law, social values, morality and history. The range of topics varies so much that it seems unlikely that an illiterate man like Muhammad would be so bright, therefore Muslims believe a supernatural or divine power told him to write it.

The first Sura in the Qur’an talks about Allah, who is believed to be compassionate and merciful. He helps and rewards people who worship him by guiding them on a straight path. This idea is very similar to Jewish beliefs of God, especially in the paragraphs of the Shma prayer, which also praises God and implies that by worshiping him the people will be rewarded. The similarity is apparent, in part because all monotheistic religions want to make sure their followers are obedient and because of the need for a higher power to enforce their laws.

The judgment day, on which the evil will be punished and the kind rewarded, is a crucial idea in a theocratic society because it ensures order and sets consequences for breaking the society’s code. Judaism has a similar idea for the judgment day, which we experience annually on Yom Kippur. As in Islam, Judaism promises its followers' the reward of being listed in the book of life or the punishment in exclusion from this book.

-Timur Meyster

Hebrew Union College rabbinical student Joseph Skloot spoke to the Al-Iman students about being a fourth-generation Reform Jewish rabbinical student and about his family's experience being a part of the denomination. He also taught a lesson on the various other Denominations/Movements within Judaism, giving an introduction to the similarities and differences between them. The students enjoyed hearing him read from the Talmud and his perspective on interfaith dialogue.

Facilitator Dror Post (standing) listens to the Unity Program students while they offer ideas for Heschel student Brenne Rimberg (on floor) to record on a posterboard for the "Identity" activity.



Facilitator Dror Post looks down at Brenne Rimberg (blocked from view) as she takes notes on the students' discussion. The students called-out and explained words that they identified themselves with, related to faith, ethnicity, culture etc.



From left to right: Sarah Junnah, Huda Almuhaisen, Jacob Kose, Maya Matalon, Brenne Rimberg, and Adina Marx-Arpadi.



From left to right: Robyn Spector, Senior Facilitator Ahmad Amara , Ramla Hussain, Asma, Fatima Waziry.

Religion is one of the most important aspects of ones’ life. It is important to understand all components of ones’ religion. To assure oneself that you are following the religion that is best suited for ones own life, one must gain knowledge of other religions. Dialogue and discussions are very important concepts when it comes to understanding the foundations of religion. Things such as doctrine, culture, laws, prophets, and texts should be discussed in a philosophical and logical manner. Another technique in research is through the use of Holy books for evidence to examine one’s point. In Islam, there are things that should be reshaped such as culture being within the faith. The discussion of faith and people in the intra-group context is often one that stands a little bit more conservative while inter-group discussions often lack open-thinking and can cause religious debate.

When discussing the foundations of faith with an individual who follows the same religion but from a different sect, the use of that group’s holy text is particularly a wise tool to use. For example, if discussing the successor ship of Imam Ali (A.S) with an individual from the Sunni sect, one would use Surah Ma’idah (5:67); "O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and If you do not, You have not delivered His message (at all); And Allah will protect you from the people, For Allah does not guide those who reject Faith.” This text explains the event that took place when the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) received a revelation from Angel Jibraeel, and could possibly strengthen ones point. According to some Muslims, upon receiving this verse, Prophet Mohammad announced to the people that he has appointed Imam Ali (A.S) as his successor and the leader for the Muslim Ummah.

When it comes to explaining principals of faith to individuals outside ones religion, it is wise to use citations from both religious texts. One must make sure to talk in manner that will not offend the opposite group, in general using logic, so that the point is delivered clearly and eloquently. For example, often time’s people have viewed the Shias as “crazy” because they beat their chests during the month of Muharram for the Prophets grandson’s, (Imam Hussein (A.S) martyrdom. If one was discussing this topic with a Christian, one may use the Holy Bible to prove ones point. Chest beating is a way to express mourning. When Jesus was being crucified, there were people who wanted to prevent the crucifixion. Since their voices were not heard and Jesus was later crucified, they started to beat their chest to express their sorrow and sadness. In the Bible, Luke 23:48 states: “When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts”.

One must make sure not to include cultural issues while discussing religion because people might confuse religion with culture, or vice versa. This is one weakness of some Muslims in today’s society. They tend to push culture into Islam and start practicing culture as religion. In some cultures, love marriages are not allowed. People then make it Haram (forbidden) for such acts to take place. While in Islam it is allowed. Yes, one can be a cultural individual but when it comes to religion, ones culture should be kept aside. This is one thing that needs to be reshaped and evaluated.

Discussions and dialogue are important when it comes to choosing the right religion for one’s life. Discussing an issue that is on one’s mind is sometimes better than doing research or reading a book. If a matter is discussed with one who has knowledge and experience is more helpful because one can question certain topics and make remarks and comments on feelings they hold towards a particular topic. It is accentuate to use references that will prove ones point. If a Muslim individual is having a dialogue with a person following Islam, the Holy Quran is the best reference. If the other person is from another religion, one can use the opposite religion’s Holy Books as a reference. It is important to keep culture and religion two separate topics, especially when discussing either one

-Huda Almuhaisen

Linda Sarsour, the Director of Programs for the Arab American Association of New York, spoke to the Unity Program students and their classmates from another social studies senior elective at Heschel about modesty in Islam. She described her upbringing as a native of Brooklyn and her decision as a young adult to begin wearing hijab, the traditional head-covering of Muslim women. Linda also shared her perspective on the challenges of Muslim-Jewish relations based on her wealth of dialogue experiences with members of the Jewish community in New York. In the photo above, she is speaking with Heschel Unity Program students Jacob Kose (r) and Robyn Spector (l).