Trip to the Holy Land
It was with great pleasure that Custom Tours & Events invited Dr. Faroque Khan and five Sunday School students to join them on a special pilgrimage to JerusalemThe Holy Land between February 18 – 27, 2006.
This invitation was extended to ICLI in order to do a comparative study of students of the three major religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam and to enable the inter-action of each of the students with one another.
The curriculum followed included the study of spiritual beliefs, traditions of all religions and topics of discussion where all students would find what really separated them truly brought them together.
The objective of this course was to provide:
1.an introduction to the comparative study of religion;
2.to introduce the diversity of religious phenomena that make their appearance in the course of history;
3.to provide some insight into the nature and role of religious traditions and experiences in our lives:
4.And to provide a "vocabulary" for discussing these phenomena intelligently.
In addition to providing a sense of historical and comparative perspective, the course should also contribute to a critical appreciation of the place of religion in the modern world. It is hoped that that the students will acquire the ability to recognize a common humanity in all forms
of religious experience and expression, even those most foreign and unfamiliar. And it is hoped that this acquired ability will in turn enrich the students’ understanding of these religious traditions.
The five ICLI Sunday School students, Hira Ahmed, Meher Mamoor, Khadija Byas, Daanyal Khan and Asad Baig, were selected after a very competitive process to join Christian and Jewish youth from Long Island on a trip to the Holy Land. We are delighted and congratulate the five students on this historic accomplishment. This journal provides an insight to the trip along with reports from the clergy and media.
Dr Faroque Khan with the five students: Hira Ahmed, Meher Mamoor, Khadija Byas, Daanyal Khan and Asad Baig pictured with sponsors Dawn Azrak and Darlene Buonauro Map of the Holy Land (highlighting the areas visited)
Masada
Capermum
Kiryat Shrodna
Tel:
Fax:
In the Name
of Allah, The Beneficent, The
Merciful 835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590.
516-333-3495
516-333-7321 Email:1icli@optonline.net Website: www.icliny.org
A Unique Trip to The Holy Land—Feb 18 to 27 2006
Dr Faroque Ahmad Khan
A group of 16 Jewish, Catholic and Muslim Youth from Long Island went on an intensive ten day study tour of the Holy Land. They were accompanied by a five member TV crew, an educator, two conservative Rabbis, principals of the two major Catholic schools of Long Island and ICLI chairman of Board. The five Muslim youth are all students at ICLI Sunday School: Hira Ahmed, Khadija Byas, Asad Baig, Daanyal Khan and Meher Mamoor. This was the first time Muslim youth from Long Island were involved in such an initiative.
During this extensive trip the group witnessed and participated in several religious services including offering salaat Jummah at Masjid Al Aqsa. The Holy Land has a very long and rich tradition going back to the time of the Romans, the master builder - Emperor Herod, and the sites where our revered prophets preached and left lasting legacies behind. We spent a sizable amount of time at Massada, the site of the last Jewish stand against Romans, where a thousand Jews committed mass suicide, rather than give up and live under Roman occupation. We wondered if that was bravery or stupidity. Rabbi William Berman informed the group that committing mass suicide in the name of defending religion is an absolute abomination in Jewish tradition. The overnight visits to a Kibbutz, Bedouin camp were memorable. The brief stop over in Safad city, center of Jewish mysticism and a luncheon with the Druze community - were educational and informative. The highlight of the trip was the stay in Jerusalem - with visits to Masjid Al Aqsa and the adjacent Dome of Rock, Church of Holy Sepulchre, Walk on Dolorosa and a moving visit to Yad VashemHolocaust Memorial Museum, brief visit to Bethlehem, Church of Nativity, where we got a brief glimpse of the plight of the Palestinians. Crossing over into Palestinian
Study Session with the group
area from the Israeli side was like walking across into a third world country with dilapidated homes, roads and rampant poverty. The group was not involved in discussing the intractable nuances of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, our initiative was a small effort in demonstrating that a diverse group of people from Long Island can learn to respect and appreciate the commonalities and the differences, and at the same time make friends.
Dr Faroque Khan presented the following topics to the entire group during this challenging journey- Islamic concepts of Monotheism, Hospitality, Miracles and Neighbors Rights etc.
This trip resulted from the vision and planning of Dawn Azrak and Darlene Buonauro from the Custom Tours and Events based in Merrick, Long Island. A big thank you to Dawn and Darlene for sponsoring this trip.
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Daanyal, Asad, Khadija and Meher with the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the rear Muslim and Jewish kids from the group together in front of the Wailing Wall
Brief Comments by the Attending Clergy
Fr. James Williams, S.M. (President, Chaminade High School,Mineola, New York):
My Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters. As you know, a group of 16 students and religious leaders from the Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths journeyed throughout the Holy Land in the spirit and footsteps of Abraham (Peace be upon him). While we began with many uncertainties and anxieties, our journey led to us into deep mystery and a better understanding of God. We learned how much we share in common, and we acquired a deep respect for our differences.
Dr. Khan and your young people, Hira, Asad, Angela (Khadija), Daanyal, and Meher brought Islam alive. We did not simply “tour” your holy sites – we prayed and experienced them through the eyes of people of faith. What would have been simply a “Muslim building” became a place of devotion. Where questions abounded and clarity came.
Further, our Muslim friends sought to understand our faith and Judaism. Their questions demonstrated an authentic desire to comprehend what we hold so dear.
faith. May this spirit of unity continue to characterize the interrelationship of our faiths.
Rabbi Seth J. Sternstein, Kings Park Jewish Center, Kings Park, New York 11754:
I write to let you know how much I enjoyed and profited from our trip to Israel.
First, I learned several things about Islam. Your explanations about Moslem prayer (e.g. why Moslems remove their shoes during prayer; how many times a day prayer is required; the content and duration of prayer) were all most enlightening. I was taken with the elegant beauty of the mosques which we saw, and learned from you that mosques are designed to help the worshipper focus clearly on worship of the Creator, and avoid unnecessary ostentation. I was deeply moved watching you lead a prayer service on the Golan Heights as the sun set. Moreover, I was impressed with the caliber of the students who accompanied you, and glad to see that this trip seemed to reinforce their loyalty to, and pride in their Moslem faith. They are already a credit to the local Moslem community, and, I predict, will be a credit to the larger American community, as they grow into maturity.
Once again, I am happy that we could travel together, and look forward to continuing warm relationships with your religious community over the years.
Warmest wishes for peace, health, and happiness.
Father Philip K. Eichner - Principal, Kellenberg Memorial High School, Uniondale, Long Island:
It was not only instructive but also enjoyable to be with you and your young students as we experienced our mutual holy sites. It has given me not only a new perspective, but also a deeper appreciation of Islam.
It is a supreme irony that I had to travel to the land of Israel-Palestine to become acquainted with the Nassau County Islamic Community centered in Westbury, right next door to Uniondale where I live and teach! The occasion was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land by a group of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim students with their mentors. Dr. Faroque Khan, your leader in the Westbury Mosque, lead the Muslim students, Hira, Asad, Angela, Meher, and Daanyal, in a first time pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Each group was experiencing the history and the faith at these sites for the first time. Experiencing Dr. Khan’s explanations and witnessing their very deep religious commitment to Muslim tradition and to prayer made a great impression upon me and the seven Christian students who accompanied us. For us it was really the first time that we had been able to experience Muslim Faith in person, an experience that will stay with us. And so, now, we feel much closer to the Westbury Islamic Center and to the Muslim Community in Nassau County And for this we are very grateful to Dr. Khan and to these Muslim students.
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Our pilgrimage was one of hope – 16 diverse teenagers and their religious leaders formed friendships rooted in
Asad, Daanyal, Hira, Meher and Khadija in Bethlehem
Rabbi William Berman - Suffolk County, Long Island:
The interfaith trip to the Holy Land was a profound spiritual and emotional experience for all participants. There were some truly magical moments. The children as well as the clergy and staff learned much from one another. People stopped in their tracks at the phenomenon of a closely knit interfaith group experiencing the wonders of that small land together. While not glossing over differences we all came to realize how much in common we have. We came away with a great awareness that religion must be used as a tool for sharpening the divine image of the other in our psyches rather than for covering it over. New friendships have been forged both among students and adults. Many already expressed the wish to go back to explore the Holy Land in greater depth. As for politics the purpose of the trip was not to propose solutions but to show that people of different backgrounds can forge bonds of deep friendship and respect.
land, in Israel. None of us met before the trip. The sixteen of us met for the first time on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at JFK airport. I wasn’t nervous about the trip as I was about meeting the kids, with whom I would be spending the next ten days exchanging views about our religions. I had such a great experience exploring Israel with kids of other faiths within my age group. To meet Long Island kids like me that have so much respect towards other faiths was so admirable. It’s not everyday you meet sophomores and juniors with so much willingness to accept, especially with all that is going on in the world today. It was so amazing to see how people from these three faiths worked together so well with no conflicts. The more sites we visited the closer we became spiritually and the more we realized how similar we are. In the end, it doesn’t matter what faith we are because we were all “born” from Abraham.
Daanyal Khan:
My experience to Israel was amazing. I had such a good time, I want go to back. When I got there, I thought I was on a resort island where there was palm trees and clear water. The weather was as good as San Diego, 75-80 degrees. Our tour guide Yuval is a well-educated man who never let there be a dull moment. When I heard the Catholic kids were coming from private schools, I thought they would be conceited and stuck-up, they proved my wrong. Everyone that went was like a brother or sister. We really bonded the night we stayed in Nazareth. My favorite part of the trip was when we got to the Bedouin Camp. We had food on the floor with a long table, with food served in traditional bowls. Later on Yuval took all the guys out into the middle of the desert to show us the stars. It was pitch black; you could not even see your hand. All you heard was the noises of animals. Then we went back into one of the tents where Muhammad who is a musician played a few songs for everyone. He also showed us how to make there bread. We had the opportunity to taste two different teas; Turkish tea and Bedouin tea along with baklava. Sleeping there was the best any-
I believe going on this spiritual and education trip to the Holy Land was an experience of a lifetime. I have journeyed to a place that I never dreamed of being able to visit. I have learned so much about not only Christianity and Judaism, but have learned about my own religion. The trip was only eight days long, but we accomplished so much and visited so many places it feels as if I was there for a month. I am so grateful to all the people who have made this trip possible for me and especially Allah (SWT). This trip will be forever in my memories, and I hope to further share my experiences and everything I have learned with others.
Meher Mamoor - ICLI Student:
About a month ago I joined seven Christians, four Jews, and four Muslims for a religious pilgrimage to the Holy
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Angela Khadija Byas:
Views of the Five ICLI Students on their Visit to the Holy Land
One of Many Study Sessions
One of Many Fun Sessions
one had slept so far in the trip even though it was only 6 hours for those who woke up to see the sunrise. 6:00 am most of us along with Father James woke up to see the sunrise over the mountains. After breakfast, we all rode camels, which was probably everyone’s favorite part of the trip. Besides riding the camels, I also had video camera that the film crew gave me and I taped everyone riding the camels along with all the comments everyone was making. There were so many other things I could talk about but that was my favorite part of the trip. I hope many other people will have the opportunity to do what we got to do because it was once in a lifetime opportunity and to go with the two other faiths made the experience more special.
Asad Baig:
The journey that we took to Israel was truly a life changing experience. It was amazing to be able to visit many of the holy sites in Israel and Palestine. What was really great was the way that everyone in our group of 16 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish teens, and 5 different religious leaders were accepting of each other. We bonded together, forgetting that before the trip we did not even know each other. What was most special for me was being able to visit Masjid-Al-Aqsa and the Dome of The Rock. Being there made me feel elated and it was really special to be in the same location as the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was when he ascended to heaven. Being able to pray the Jummah prayer there was also a very special for me. Jerusalem was my favorite city, but the part of the trip that was most fun for me was the trip to the Dead Sea. After a very hot, long stay at the Masada, we went to the Dead Sea, where the 16 of us got to experience the Dead Sea. The Sea itself is so salty, that instead of sand, there is salt on the shore leading up to the water. I unfortunately got some of the water in my eyes, and the highly concentrated saltwater burned my eyes greatly. I was helped by Janet, a member of our camera crew to a freshwater hose, where I washed my eyes
out. After that experience, we all decided to take Dead Sea mud, which is supposedly very healthy, and throw it at each other. This was an inter- sting experience, and again, it felt like we all knew each other since before the trip. This trip was great, and I thank Allah (SWT) for giving me the opportunity to go on this beautiful trip. I also thank Dawn and Darlene for organizing this trip, and I would also like to thank the members of the clergy as well as the Christian, Jewish, and other Muslim kids who accompanied me on this trip and helped me learn more about Islam, Christianity and Judaism. This was truly a great once in a lifetime experience that I was fortunate enough to have shared with an amazing group.
Hira Ahmed:
“It is an extraordinary time in an extraordinary city- a place where both armies and souls contend, and where hope coexists with anxiety,” (on Jerusalem) –Steven Erlanger.
As I sat on my couch trying to write up something that does justice to all that is Israel, I realized I was failing miserably. So I resorted to the gargantuan piece on Jerusalem in the Travel section of the Times for inspiration. There I found this quote on the holiest of holy cities and think to be the epitome of all that the Holy Land is: a city plagued with a constant subtle tension.
The clergy and sponsors of the trip had agreed that this trip would avoid the subject of politics. And they acted on this consensus, no one meddling too much with the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Yet still I, and hopefully others as well, left that part of the world being beyond familiarized, even beleaguered with all the death and destruction that resides in Holy Land.
For every wonderful peace, love, and happiness moment we had, there was also a crazy lady outside the Western Wall discouraging our interfaith efforts, or a keeper of a mosque not allowing the non-Muslims of our group to
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24 Hour Vow of Silence
Daniel Rossing
enter.
To learn, by means of this trip, the significance of Israel, and then to be exposed to all the conflict and disagreement that Jerusalem is comprised of is overwhelming. But it also makes evident as to how crucial interfaith efforts such as ours are.
The next time someone says something about the Jewish people on a whole, or makes a generalization, I think, of my friends, Josh, Ari, Sadie, and Dana. Who consoled me when I lost my camera and immediately made me CD’s of their own pictures. When people talk about Christians, I think of my Catholic friend, Erin who lent me her bathing suit at the Dead Sea. It’s no longer a big blurb of theology, it’s people first, and then their faith, which is a part of them, which is something you come to understand and maybe even appreciate.
My uber cheesy Wonder Years thought is, what my Israel experience was? It was shnizel, and temples, and churches, and camels. But more importantly, it was an understanding we developed of each other, something the previous generations failed at, and hopefully our understanding of one another will contribute to a more peaceful future in Holy Land.
