Staff Writer
FOLLOWING a historic iftar (breaking of the fast) which was recently held at the Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church in Constantia, congregants of the Open Mosque have been invited to break their fast this evening at the Temple Israel Synagogue in Wynberg.
Open Mosque Imam Taj Hargey said the mosque had been pioneering interfaith dialogue since it opened its doors in September 2014.
“We’ve invited the Jewish community to several of our events. This time they felt it was their time to reciprocate.”
He acknowledged that the broader Muslim community might not be thrilled by the event, but he said people of faith had to create a more peaceful society.
On the menu will be food which fulfils both halaal and kosher dietary requirements. Hargey said halaal and kosher were not very far apart.
“What’s amazing is that this is the first time that the athaan (Muslim call to prayer) will be said in synagogue.”
The event, which had been widely publicised on social media and the Open Mosque’s website, will have more than 100 people in attendance.
While Hargey had received abuse from those angry over the Open Mosque’s “all welcome” philosophy, he said this time round there has been more calm.
The iftar dinner had to be seen as an icebreaker.
He said that in 10 years from now, it would not longer be a big deal.
Rabbi Greg Alexander, from the Temple Israel Synagogue, said inviting Muslims to break their fast and share in their meal with Jews was a way of crossing divides between the two communities.
“The world is a crazy place. You can either respond with fear or try and build bridges.”
He said Muslims and Jews have been living together in Cape Town since the city was founded and sensible dialogue about the issues, which often divided the communities, particularly the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict could be had.