CALGARY, Alberta — A day doesn’t seem to pass in the world without some conflict erupting among people of different faiths. But in Calgary recently, Jewish and Muslim leaders have been coming together in dialogue. A series of meetings have led to the formation of the Calgary Jewish-Muslim Council. “The direct impetus for the CJMC was concern about the lack of civility and respect during last summer’s demonstrations regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict,” say the groups in a joint statement. “After … calling for peaceful expressions of speech and for upholding the Canadian values of diversity, the group focused its attention on wider issues concerning the importance of good relationships between the two communities. The rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiments is a major concern for both communities.” The Jewish community was represented by Rabbi Shaul Osadchey and Rabbi Joshua Corber of Beth Tzedec Congregation, Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman of Temple B’nai Tikvah, and Judy Shapiro of the Calgary Jewish Federation. Representing the Muslim community were both Shia and Sunni religious leaders, including Imam Syed Soharwardy and Imam Muhammad Zubair Qadri of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, Imam Taymoor Hussain and Imam Zareef Hanif of the Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly, Riazuddin Ahmed ...      Read more