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New York’s leading Imam meet with Jewish student leaders
Ways to combat hatred and violence were discussed in light of dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents on campuses
Westhampton Beach, NY (Oct. 29, 2023) — Amidst the dramatic rise in antisemitic rhetoric and hate crimes against Jews perpetrated by students protesting against Israel on college campuses since the Gaza war began, Imam Shamsi Ali met with 30 Jewish student leaders from colleges in New York City in a special discussion titled, "New York Campuses Are On Fire – What Should We Do?" Imam Ali is a prominent Muslim activist and leader of the Jamaica Muslim Center, the largest mosque in New York with over 20,000 members.
The 30 Jewish student leaders led by Ilya Bratman, executive director, Hillel at Baruch, represent students from Baruch College, City College of New York, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Fordham University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New School for Social Research, Pace University and the School of Visual Arts.
The event was initiated and organized by Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and a prominent voice in Jewish-Muslim interfaith dialogue, who serves as the senior rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue.
Imam Ali is the president of the Nusantara Foundation. He and Rabbi Schneier co-authored “Sons of Abraham: A Candid Conversation about the Issues That Divide and Unite Jews and Muslims,” a book that is the definitive text on respectful Muslim-Jewish relations.
"I am most concerned about the safety of Jewish students, and I am aware of the fear, anxiety, and antisemitism Jewish students are now facing on college compasses — witnessing signs like 'gas all the Jews' or 'kill all the Jews'" said Schneier at the meeting. "Violence and intimidation should not be tolerated. There is a line that you simply cannot cross. If you want to protest, protest. If you want to demonstrate, you can demonstrate, but there should be no violence — no confrontation. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable."
"We as Muslims who live in America are also facing Islamophobia and your concerns are my concerns, too. Your fear is my fear. We are all in the same boat," said Imam Ali to the students. "I am here tonight to mainly listen to your concerns because this week I will meet with Muslim student leaders from New York City campuses as well."
