Kermalli | Students went on a field trip to learn about Islamic contributions to sciences and arts. It never should have taken an ugly turn

Worth reflecting upon:

…When are we ever going to be open and embrace, rather than push away or feel threatened by cultures different from our own?

Last week, I chose to observe a Simchat Torah service at a synagogue with a longtime Jewish friend. Simchat Torah is a joyous holiday that celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and as a Muslim, one I could resonate with, given Islam’s own reverence toward the Quran and acceptance of both the Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels. It proved to be a wonderful experience and many congregants thanked me for “honouring the ceremony” with my presence. This took me by surprise, because it was in fact I who felt grateful for being permitted to attend the ceremony.

The experience also reminded me of the Quranic verse (49:13): “Oh mankind! We made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other).”

But the children and staff who attended the exhibition last week would not have taken in that core teaching. Because the racially infused pressure on the school board worked: The Quranic recitation was dropped from the program.

And Jewish families can take additional comfort in the announcement Monday that the Ford government will pour $551,000 this coming Holocaust Education Week to double down on combating antisemitism.

Source: Opinion | Students went on a field trip to learn about Islamic contributions to sciences and arts. It never should have taken an ugly turn