IJMA - the Inter Jewish Muslim Alliance - announced its formation at a public event today at the Newseum co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington DC. Invitees from the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute, a German Muslim-Jewish delegation, civil society representatives and members of the public from a variety of faiths and backgrounds gathered for a conversation on intercommunal relations between Muslims and Jews.

IJMA brings together more than 30 American Muslim and Jewish communal leaders and allies who are determined to pursue actions to further the rights of all Americans to freedom of religion and conscience. Working together and in coalition with others, IJMA aims to protect and expand these rights while embodying the ideals of pluralism and equality for all.

As outlined in the Statement on Relations between Muslims and Jews published by IJMA today:

“American Muslims and Jews share much in common. We are religious minority communities with shared values and traditions. We are Americans inspired by the ideals of our country, including a respect for political differences. We see IJMA as an expression of our common humanity and the fulfillment of the promise of America to unite people as equals across lines of difference in order to improve our shared society and form bonds of friendship.”

The day-long event featured thought-provoking seminars by Dr. Elana Stein Hain – scholar in residence and director of faculty at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America – and Wajahat Ali, a New York Times contributing op-ed writer, TED speaker, CNN commentator and playwright. Following a lunch of open dialogue, guest speaker, Wade Henderson, former president and chief executive officer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, inspired the gathering with a talk about “Coalition Building Among Diverse Groups”.

The event concluded with an IJMA panel discussing Muslim-Jewish relations in the U.S, including problematic speech and other reasons for tension between the two communities. Panelists included Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage, Dr. Georgette Bennett, Philanthropist and Founder of the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, Imam Mohamed Magid, the Executive Imam of All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center, George Selim, Senior Vice President of Programs at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Rabbi David Saperstein, President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and Majid Alsayegh, founder of Alta Management & Chairman of the Dialogue Institute.

Following the launch, IJMA will embark on a variety of activities focused on outreach and education for mutual understanding, countering voices of hatred and bigotry within communities and working together for common interests. IJMA is a nonprofit project that is fiscally sponsored and legally organized under AMEL. As a sponsored project, IJMA focuses on its programmatic goals while its financial and operating infrastructure is managed by AMEL.

We are grateful to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington DC., the Freedom Forum Institute, HIAS, the ADAM Center, Marcia’s Light Foundation, Alta Management, Ann Schroeder, Georgette Bennett and all the supporters that made this unique event possible.