Muslims, other faiths unite to reflect, heal

CAMBRIDGE -- Several dozen worshipers -- from spiritual mystics to Hasidic Jews and members of the Church of God in Christ -- joined the Boston Chapter of the Muslim American Society yesterday to trade jokes and suggestions about coping with life in today's fearful world.

Though organized on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and other US sites, the two-hour conversation was not intended to directly discuss those events. Instead, it gave those in attendance an opportunity to address difficult issues with people of other faiths, discuss differing opinions, and discover common views.

``I longed to have this opportunity," said Larry Blum , a University of Massachusetts professor who is also a member of Congregation Eitz Chayim , in Cambridge. ``I think non-Muslims need to learn more about Islam. Certainly there are a lot of misunderstandings, and people haven't had the opportunity to find out."

Blum later sat intensely focused as a University of Cairo-educated Muslim leader sang a few verses from the Koran, followed by a Jewish leader who sang a melody without words. Both recitations were intended to invoke thoughts of God.

Later, an Episcopalian rebutted the idea of God as punisher, saying He is a God of love. A Muslim woman theorized that the world's pain and suffering could be eased if perhaps people remembered that God shows compassion to those who are compassionate. A woman who described herself only as spiritual talked of the peaceful way of life found in the holy books of Buddhism.

There was broad agreement that most people seek the same things in life : peace, safety, food, and shelter.

And for many, that list also included pleasing God.

``We need to be concerned with righteousness regardless of title of Jew or Christian," said the Imam Abdullah Faaruuq , who heads the Mosque for the Praising of Allah in Roxbury. ``We are living in a monstrous world. . . .I see nothing in the Koran that says paradise is guaranteed to Muslims or to the Christians. . . .Unless we are meeting the standards of righteousness, we will never find success."

Rabbi Or Rose, a professor at Hebrew College in Newton, echoed a sentiment expressed by some others, that organized religion has been usurped by pretenders.

``There are far too many people committing acts of evil in the name of religion," said Rose, who encouraged participants to create their own religious ``counter-narrative," which he said could show the world the breadth of each religion.

Organizers hoped to get those who attended to submit essays or other writings to an interfaith anthology and to participate in an interfaith volunteer activity, such as Habitat for Humanity.

``The Sept. 11 attackers were actually looking to cause divisions in society," said Bilal Kaleem, associate director of the Muslim American Society. ``We're trying to counter that."

Scott Spiegler , a Jew from Brookline, questioned whether the right audience was in attendance.

``In this room we're preaching to the choir, so to speak," said Spiegler. ``There are many, many others who are not in this room."

But Kaleem said there is value in the gathering.

``We knew this event would be self-selecting," said Kaleem, before jokingly adding: ``You need to know who the choir is."

Adrienne P. Samuels can be reached at asamuels@globe.com