The Star Tribune reports that Minnesota is emerging as a national leader in Muslim-Jewish relations. “Thanks to groundwork laid by religious leaders over the years, and jolted by heightened anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic tensions, leaders of the two faiths are forging new alliances and bolstering existing ones.” (Per the article).
Imam Makram El-Amin, whose Masjid An-Nur mosque shares a long partnership with Temple Israel, says he talks to colleagues across the country and there is “a lot going on” in terms of Muslim-Jewish support. “But in terms of sheer volume of engagement, the Twin Cities is among the national leaders — if not the leader. It’s so much so, that we have to pick and choose what we can be engaged in.”
According to the paper: “Minnesota reflects a trend unfolding in urban centers across the country.” For example, a year ago, the Islamic Society of North America and the American Jewish Committee launched a new lobbying organization to promote hate crime legislation, civil rights legislation and other shared policy concerns.
