Despite all of the fierce fighting and debate over the proposed Islamic cultural center near the World Trade Center site, religious leaders in one Bronx community say they are praying and working hard to get along, all under one roof. NY1’s Dean Meminger filed the following report.
During the high holy days for the Jewish and Muslim communities, some in the Bronx are praying nearly side by side in the same property. Jews are marking Rosh Hashanah, their new year, while Muslims are celebrating the end of Ramadan, their holy month of fasting. They are worshipping in the same building on Westchester Avenue in the Parkchester area.
Sheikh Moussa Drammeh is the managing owner of the building on Westchester Avenue in Parkchester and has provided the Orthodox Beis Menachum Synagogue with a store front — free of charge.
“They lost the place of their owner due to not being able to pay them. So my job now is to tell them, I want to do as much as I can while I can,” Drammeh said.
Muslim and Jewish worshipers at the center say while there’s plenty of arguing and debate about religions, they want to show most people of faith can, and do, get along.
“Allah made it very clear that Muslims, Christians and Jews that believe in God, and believe in the day of judgment, and of doing that right thing have nothing to fear. That’s makes us to be very very bonded,” Drammeh said.
“I don’t want to interfere with anybody’s religion. I believe my Muslim, yes, they believe their religion, but I respect. Everybody got to respect each other and work together,” said Abdus Shaahid of the Bangladeshi American National Democratic Society.
Members of the synagogue told NY1 that they could not speak on camera, because on their holiday they can not use electricity or a microphone. However, the station’s cameras were allowed inside to tape the prayer services.
Off camera, worshipers tell NY1 they agree all religions need to work hard to get along and should pray for one another. They also say they are thankful for the Muslims who are helping the older Jewish members of the community, who have declined in number and can’t afford their own house of worship.
Others say it’s an important message and image for the children in the community.
let it be real, pure, good, bring only revealed good.
and believe me, they already have. but that doesnt mean that they are all bad
means yishma-kel, the muslims will pain the jews so bad that the cries will pierce the heavans and hashem will hear!
The Ground Zero Wanna be mosque Imam has lots to learn about unity from this good Imam.
A side note: It rubs me the wrong way that they allowed the press into the shul to shoot footage. I wonder how Rabbi Braun would pasken about that and how Rabbi Bogomilsky would pasken (just joking, but seriously, is it muttar?)
vyeida kol basar
very,very nice “jews xhristians, muslims all beleive in G-d (and if ) they all do the right thing they can live in peace and tolorance” so true isn’t it
nice never knew they had those talents!!!
Wow, very impressive
… that the Muslims do yoga on their Yom Tov
Great story. At my place of work, I am colleagues with some very devout muslims (not the arab variety), and they are extremely respectful and peaceful. They have gone out of their way many times to help me, as I have for them.