For several hours Sunday, around 200 Jews, Christians and Muslims got together at the Rasoi Restaurant in Monmouth Junction to break bread and discuss what they could agree on in the respective spiritual do
By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — For several hours Sunday, around 200 Jews, Christians and Muslims got together at the Rasoi Restaurant in Monmouth Junction to break bread and discuss what they could agree on in the respective spiritual doctrines.
”This is an opportunity for the sharing of stories,” said Dr. Mazoor Hussain, coordinator of interfaith affairs for the Cranbury Institute of Islamic Studies, at the start of the program, “to replace fear and misconceptions.”
The afternoon luncheon, the ninth such annual gathering sponsored by the institute, included a panel of three members of the Christian clergy, the Rev. Bill Walker, the Rev. John Morrison, the Rev. Cornell Edmonds, Rabbi Eric Wisnia of the Congregation Beth Chaim temple in Princeton Junction and Sohaib Sultan, Princeton University’s first Muslim chaplain.
The purpose was to have a conversation about how each faith views loving your neighbors, and recognizing the similarities between the interpretations of doctrine.
IIS board of directors member Tahir Zafar said the organization has been holding the interfaith gatherings since the controversy in New York City about placing a mosque near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.
Mr. Zafar said there was someone in Hightstown who sought to meet a local Muslim to better understand the religion and their faith.
That small home meeting has grown during the years to the annual interfaith gatherings such as this Thanksgiving holiday luncheon, he said.
”These connections are very important for us to see,” Mr. Zafar said. “There are so many commonalties with each other.”
Prior to the panel discussion, attendees were asked to get up from their seats and meet with others at the event who were strangers.
”When you sit and break bread together, it makes a difference,” Mr. Zafar said.
During the panel discussion, all of the panel members referenced how important each represented religion viewed taking care of one’s neighbors.
All of the members cited their respective texts for verses to support