In the summer of 2000 I was walking in the streets of Tel Aviv when I was stopped by a middle-aged man and asked directions in Hebrew. I explained to him in English, “I’m sorry, I’m just a tourist from America who doesn’t know the city.” I could tell he was a bit shocked that I didn’t speak Hebrew.I didn’t think much of the incident until the next day in Jerusalem, when I tried to enter Al-Aqsa (on the temple mount) to do my afternoon prayers. Out of all the people who went to pray, including family members and other tourists, I was the only one stopped and asked if I was Muslim. The guard was surprised that I had said “yes,” then permitted me to enter for prayers. Looking back, I can’t help but think how much Muslims and Jews have in common. There isn’t a physical difference between us; one can easily pass for the other. We pray to the same God, we revere the same prophets. I cannot help but be confounded by the animosity some of us have towards each other. Imagine if more of us could celebrate our similarities, and not focus on our differences. We are all part of the same human family, and no matter the differences we have with each other, we have much more in common.
Omar Haroon is former Vice Chair and currently on the Board of Directors of the Islamic Center of Southern California.
