Mahmoud MoSQUE in Haifa and Interfaith Relations
On October 30, 600 members from the Haifa’s Muslim and Jewish communities, alongside representatives from Christian and Buddhist backgrounds, convened in the hall of Mahmood Mosque. Their collective voice echoed a powerful call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to civilian casualties on both sides. This display of solidarity attracted over 1,000 supporters to subsequent events hosted at the mosque, underscoring its role as a beacon of unity and peace.
This rare multi-faith solidarity gathering was facilitated by the Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, illustrating a commitment to interreligious harmony in Haifa, Israel.
During my visit to the mosque, I delved into its rich history and explored its interfaith engagements. Mahmood Mosque, also known as جامع سيدنا محمود, was erected in the late 1970s in Kababir, a bustling and diverse neighborhood nestled on Mount Carmel in Haifa. It stands as a testament to unity, providing a spiritual sanctuary for both Muslim Arabs and Jews, showcasing the harmonious coexistence within the community that has been built over the years through people-to-people connections.
Reflecting on the multi-faith gathering, I recalled on a similar event organized by the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO) in Singapore in October 2023.
While some may view such gatherings as merely symbolic and being useless in ending the conflict, they serve as crucial affirmations of solidarity and commitment to a shared path of peace. They mark the initial steps towards fostering a willingness to engage in shared spaces and cultivate mutual comfort, especially amidst the backdrop of conflict and humanitarian crises.
