World Jewish Congress and Muslim World League celebrate Ramadan together

The two organisations hope collaboration will help create better understanding and appreciation between the communities

The event sought to strengthen bonds between the two ogranisations and increase understanding between the two major religions. AFP

Two major faith-based organisations have come together to mark the Muslim holy month.

The World Jewish Congress, which represents Jewish communities and organisations in 100 countries around the world, hosted an hour-long virtual event with the Muslim World League, a Makkah-based NGO, to celebrate Ramadan.

The event, attended by Ronald S Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, Mohammad bin Abdul Karim, secretary general of the Muslim World League, and dozens of other figures sought to strengthen bonds between the two organisations and increase understanding between the two major religions.

“Relationships between communities, especially communities of faith, are sadly not always easy for us to maintain,” said Mr Lauder, a former US ambassador to Austria.

“In fact, we all know that there has been strife between different faiths throughout history but when we make efforts to come together as we do today, to work together and to acknowledge the differences in our faiths, we begin that process that must build trust among our people. That is the start.”

The event was part of the World Jewish Congress’s 16th plenary assembly, which the organisation holds every four years.

Mr Lauder said his understanding and appreciation for Islam only blossomed when he was in adulthood.

“I have developed a great respect for its teachings. This came about through exposure to Muslim people and frankly my own curiosity about the religion.”

The two organisations hope their collaboration will help create better understanding and appreciation between the communities.

“We believe that the joint work that the Muslim World League can accomplish together with the World Jewish Congress will make a valuable contribution to improving coexistence in our world,” Mr Lauder told the virtual gathering.