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Transcript/ScriptMuslim Jewish Solidarity Iftar TV
HEADLINE: US Muslims, Jews, Christians Overcome Threats to Gather Over Iftar Meal
TEASER:
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, 03/27/2024, 5:23 pm
BYLINE: Nilofar Mughal
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Potomac, Maryland
VIDEOGRAPHER: Nilofar Mughal
VIDEO EDITOR: Nilofar Mughal
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Holly Franko
VIDEO SOURCE: VOA Original | Urdu Service
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 2:56
VID APPROVED BY: sb
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Despite facing threats, members of Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths gathered for an interfaith dinner marking the end of the daily fast for Muslims during Ramadan; the Fast of Esther for Jews; and the New Year, or Nowruz, for those who celebrate it. From Potomac, Maryland, VOA’s Nilofar Mughal has the story, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard.]]
((NAT: The Muslim call to prayer (Adhan) rang through the synagogue’s speaker))
((NARRATOR))
Sounds of the adhan — the Muslim call to prayer — ring out from speakers inside a Jewish synagogue: This is a scene from a multi-faith gathering marking Ramadan's fast-breaking for Muslims, the Fast of Esther for Jews, and the new year, or Nowruz, for those who celebrate it.
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt says this year's gathering is different from the previous year's.
((Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, Congregation B’nai Tzedek)) ((Male in English))
“The world has changed very much since when we had the Iftar a year ago. There’s a war that’s broken out between Israel and Hamas.”
((NARRATOR))
Despite increased uneasiness over the Israel-Hamas conflict, more than 100 people attended the meal, organized by the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, or AMMWEC, [[AM-wek]] in collaboration with the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
[[radio: Anila Ali, the president of AMMWEC, says, "Our neighbors will not change. These will be Christians, Jews, Hindus. We need to keep the politics separate and see each other as humans and see how we can bridge the gap."]]
((Anila Ali, AMMWEC President)) ((Female in Urdu))
“Our neighbors will not change. These will be Christians, Jews, Hindus. We need to keep the politics separate and see each other as humans and see how we can bridge the gap.”
((NARRATOR))
Organizers say that several threats had been made against the Muslim-Jewish solidarity Iftar this year.
[[radio: Again, Rabbi Weinblatt]]
((Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, Congregation B’nai Tzedek)) ((Male in English))
“There is a heightened sense of tension, heightened sense of security and, in many respects, it makes what we did tonight even that much more important. It was difficult to navigate, and there are some people who chose not to come because they don't necessarily understand the importance of something like this at a time like this.”
[[radio: Anila Ali says that events like these are the only way to move forward. Otherwise, the communities will break down. She and her organization had to bypass all the hate messages and take this step, because they will not back down. Similarly, she says, they have iftar events in Boston, Los Angeles and New York because interfaith is their religion.]]
((Anila Ali, AMMWEC President)) ((Female in Urdu))
“Events like these are the only way we can move forward, otherwise our communities will break down. I can't tell you how many hate messages we got, but we had to bypass all of them and take this step, but we will not back down. Similarly, we have Iftar events in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York, because interfaith is our religion.”
((NARRATOR))
Michael Herzog, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, who attended the event, says Jews have been encountering a surge of hate and antisemitism in recent months. He recommended addressing these challenges through faith, education and the construction of bridges and thinks events like the multi-faith Iftar can send a positive message.
((Michael Herzog, Israeli Ambassador to the United States)) ((Male in English))
“We hope that that message resonates across the board because these are difficult days when we all experience hate, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia. This is the answer.”
((NARRATOR))
Organizers say fewer Muslims showed up at this year's interfaith Ramadan event, citing conflicting viewpoints on the Israel-Hamas war.
Event speakers, however, stressed the importance of fostering interfaith engagement in the United States, combating antisemitism and Islamophobia, creating an atmosphere of mutual understanding, and putting an end to divisive language between Muslims and Jews.
((For Nilofar Mughal in Potomac, Maryland – Bezhan Hamdard – VOA NEWS))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 27, 2024 18:12 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
