Muslims, Jews work together - Habitat house built (for a Christian)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D87TIDQ87.html


The Muslim developer and the Jewish rabbi share meals at each other's homes, reflect on the similarities in Arabic and Hebrew, and respectfully agree to disagree on politics. "I consider Neal a friend, not the rabbi or a Jew," Khalifa said. "If I need something, I can call him up and say, 'Hey, Neal, help me.' "

The unlikely friendship has produced an unusual partnership in this East Texas town: The Muslim and Jewish communities are working together to build a house with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit, Christian organization.

The friends dubbed the Tyler project the Abraham House after the forefather of Muslims, Jews and Christians. They hope the effort will help improve relations and understanding far beyond this city of 86,000 about 95 miles east of Dallas.

Tamiko Seward, the single mother who will live in the 1,100-square-foot house with her 3-year-old son, Jacob, is neither Muslim nor Jewish. She's Baptist. "Everyone gets along so well, you don't know who is from what religion," said Seward, a 26-year-old secretary.

Within a one mile stretch you'll see Imams walking the same streets as Orthodox Rabbi and no one says boo. Oh, and there are Pakistanis and Indians over in the next neighborhood. Not that everyone sings "kumbaya"...but given the right economic and social conditions, anyone can get along.

Maybe one day we'll get close to clasifying humans rather than by religions or nationalities or other artificial labels.

In the last 100 years or so. Ethnically, Jews and Arabs are the same race. Religiously, Jews and Arabs are much closer to each other than to Christians.

Historically, much of the Jewish population lived amongst the arabs in peace for 100's of years during the middle ages. Some of the most famous Jewish philosphers lived in Muslim controled countries, and the separateness of the religions were respected.

Habitat for Humanity really is a good cause.
"Come on, come on, let's work together".

Nice change from the headlines we have been seeing of late....

for sharing this article. Great story. :)