together in Brooklyn, Detroit, and other regions outside of the Middle East. I think even in Israel and Palestine there must be good stories... the problem is we, Arabs living in Saudi Egypt or other countries only hear about the bad things going on in Israel/ Palestine.... I think the same applies for Jews living in Europe, Australia, and US... they only hear bad things... I was personally moved when I read about the Oud concert in Jerusalem... naming a street after Om Kolthoom.... an Israeli child singing om kolthoom in Israeli idol show... The media doesn't cover that... all we know about Israelis is that "they are European coloniasts""" but at least half of Israeli Jews come from the Middle East.... I don't know what went wrong but I think the Arabs had difficult times coping with the way Israel was formed.... other than that, I think Hebrew is the closest language to Arabic.. and Judaism is the closest to true Islamic values (islam need to be reformed just like what was done to Judaism)... Peace upon you all, and hopefully one day will live in peace....

And I agree with with you. It will take a little time, probably another 50 to 100 years. I wish it could be sooner.

Thank you Yazeed there is a lot of interaction between Jews and Arabs in Israel and in the United States. You don't hear about it even by the European News channels because the European News Channels hate us Jews. I may be right of Center in Israeli politics but I have had many Iranian and Middle Eastern friends especially in university. I would like to wish you and your family Peace and a Happy New Year.

Your post is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you. May your feelings spread to more of your countrymen. (It would help if the books used in the education of Saudi children could be revised.) Peace be upon you and your family.

Your comments made me believe again that maybe some day we will have peace between Muslims and Jews. May G-D bless you & your family. Yalli mitlak yazeed ya Yazeed.

Dear Mr. Yazeed, first of all thank you for your kind, friendly and most unusual post on an Israeli Jewish website. I have several Muslim friends so I know from personal experience that the potential for peaceful and fruitful relations along with trust do exist. The simplistic question is how to make that happen with entire countries/populations who harbor profound hatred of everything Jewish, be it in Israel or anywhere else? If you know some answers, please share them with us... Best regards!

But why only 125 Muslims??? There are many more Muslims in Detroit than there are Jews!

Chaya. Why would you count heads?. This is a Jewish sponsored event, so it makes perfect sense that more Jews would be in attendance. I would expect the inverse at a Muslim community sponsored event? Don't you think this is a good start? I would not be surprised if Muslim participation increases with each year.

Thank you Mr.yazeed for your wonderful comment. We also have many fantastic muslim friends.It is so good to read a posative post like your.Wishing you and your family a very Happy,Healthy and peaceful New Year.

Let's hope others follow suit.

In Haifa you'll see Jews and Arabs living in the same buildings and working side by side. You won't see it in the media because it's not "interesting"

... about 300,000 last time I checked, mostly Lebanese, but you have to take into consideration the cultural atmosphere in the US right now, I'm amazed that even a ratio of 1 Muslim to 6 Jews were willing to go out as Muslims rather than preferring to maintain the lowest of profiles and allow their neighbors and those living in the greater metro area to assume they are Christians (no matter how demeaning allowing this may be).

That doesn't surprise me. In Israel, Jews have the upper hand and Muslims know that. When Jews and Muslims can co-exist in a Muslim country, then I would respect it.

when culture of hate that is widespread in muslim countries and in Israel is gone. everybody gets along just fine.

You are correct in that, at this time of year, Christians tend to forget that there are non Christians as well. The US is after all a Christian country and so they will probably be right much of the time. When organizations such as Bnai Brith and the Mitzvah Day committee volunteer on Christmas, it is a reminder that not everyone is a Christian. But in the street, in day to day activity, when someone wishes you a Merry Christmas it is easier to wish them the same instead of going into a long explanation. It would be better if a catch word would be invented to say "I do not celebrate Christmas but I do hope that you have a Merry Christmas". But there isn't any. Nothing is perfect. But life goes on.

The word christian does not appear anywere in the US constitution, Therefor it is not a christian country Im gonna correct that misconception even if i have to hammer it into the head of every single person on earth

How right you are Yazeed. Indeed we have much in common . Caring , kindness, generosity and humour . That is my day to day experience here living ,working and shopping together in northern Israel. A. Nathan

... he dates it "to the year of our Lord." Whether it is in the constitution or not can be argued as to whether things can be changed. But solomon of bklyn was talking about the present.

Yazeed: May the one G-d we both worship bless you. You have seen the truth because you are brave enough to want to see the truth. Peace upon you, too.

Jews, Muslims and Christians live in our peacefully integrated city. I work every day with religious and secular people from many backgrounds. Peace to you too, Yazeed. Maybe one day you can visit Haifa.

it will get better if they relaese all ht eprisoners and give back the west bank , we have no freedom " Hello"

Yazeed, what you say is true. Just wanted to clarify some details: Arabic came from Hebrew which is why they are so similar. And the nation-state of Israel has nothing to do with the fact that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people exclusively.(It doesn't matter how many Jews are native Middle Easterners and how many are came from Europe because we all came from Israel.) Non-Jews are allowed to live there including Arabs as long as they recognize One God and follow His mandates for Non-Jews which are the 7 Noahide Laws. Cheers.

I take part in this and it is refreshing and interesting work, I consider it a wonderful opportunity to "give back" to this wonderful country that welcomed my ancestors many years ago, along with more recent immigrants. We help by allowing the Christian workers a day off with their families, to celebrate their holiday, but the homeless and hungry expect a feast, at least this one day of the year. My fellow volunteers of the Islamic faith will not have anything to do with the ham and alcoholic beverages that go with this observance, so we Jews handle that part of the meal, to ensure that everyone has a wonderful experience. As a volunteer, I get more "nachas" out of doing this than our "clients!"

I was speaking of culture: Yes Orly, AD and BC are still used in lieu of CE and BCE. Government offices are closed on Christmas but not Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah. All public schools are closed on Christmas but only those in many very large cities are closed on Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah. My employers are mostly understanding when I tell them I take some of the Jewish Holydays off and special arrangements are made, such as taking my sick days and not vacation days. Nothing is perfect. But life goes on. Peace to you both. Shalom.

My Dear Cousin Yazeed....We shouldn't paint Muslim/Jewish relations all Rose or all Black. I live in Brooklyn and have many close Muslim colleagues and friends. We don't "tolerate" each other...I feel genuine affection and brother/sisterhood for my friends of the Muslim Faith (Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist too). Extremism, prejudice, and racism in media and false dogma promoted by fanatical religious leaders of all faiths mars potentially positive bonds and relationships between all the sons of Noah. We are, after all, blood relations....we should stop the hate and violence and eat from the same table! Amasalaaam Habibi Yazeed

this was a great article, giving hope to everyone and yo u answer with give us west bank and the terrorists captured? I think ou missed the meaning of the story my friend

This story and the comments that followed brought tears of hope and joy to my eyes. More More More... Love and Peace to/for All.

The real truth is that what happens in the US for the most part is not a picture of the real world. Moslems are taught to hate christians and jews in the koran. 1400 years of violent history, murders and genocidal attacks only show Islam is not about peace but violent warfare to expand. Let's set things in their real context.