Global Address for Muslim-Jewish Relations
May was a very productive month for The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. We are pleased to share an account of exciting initiatives and events that were held during the past weeks. We are also proud of FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier's recent accomplishments, including being widely recognized by major media outlets as a pioneer and an influential figure in the field of global Muslim-Jewish relations.
"MOST INFLUENTIAL JEWISH FIGURE IN THE WIDER MUSLIM WORLD"
- Times of Israel -

"PIONEER IN ESTABLISHING RELATIONS AMONG GULF STATES, ISRAEL & THE GLOBAL JEWISH COMMUNITY"
- I24 News -
QATAR
ADVANCING INTERFAITH INITIATIVES - QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 AND DICID
Rabbi Marc Schneier was received in Doha, Qatar, at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy's headquarters - the organization responsible for delivering the infrastructures in readiness to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup - to finalize amenities for Jewish fans and participants of the World Cup in November.

He also joined H.E. Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, H.E. Masoud bin Mohamed Al-Ameri, Minister of Justice of Qatar and H.E. Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi, Chairman of DICID, to address the 14th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue.
SINGAPORE
CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP AMONG
SINGAPORE, ISRAEL AND THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY
H.E Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Ambassador of Singapore to the United States, hosted, in cooperation with FFEU, his first Kosher luncheon reception at the Embassy in Washington D.C. This auspicious event, attended by H.E. Michael Herzog, Ambassador of Israel to the United States, celebrated the announcement of the opening of the Embassy of Singapore in Tel Aviv and the friendship between Singapore and the American Jewish community.
SAUDI ARABIA AND THE GULF
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN DIALOGUE
IN ISRAELI MEDIA
I24 News
Rabbi Schneier discussed the increased talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia and stressed the importance for the Saudis to see some engagement between Israelis and Palestinians. At the beginning of the interview, Rabbi Schneier was introduced as "a pioneer who helped established the Abraham Accords and Gulf relations with Israel and the global Jewish community."


Jerusalem Post
"Rabbi Marc Schneier, the only rabbi with a column in a Saudi newspaper, Arab News, who has long been involved in Jewish engagement in the Gulf and nascent Israeli ties with Arab states, warned against being “overly euphoric” on the Israeli-Saudi front."
ISRAEL, KAZAKHSTAN, KOSOVO & QATAR
CELEBRATIONS & HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
H.E. Michael Herzog, the Ambassador of Israel to the United States, hosted a celebration of Israel’s 74th Independence Day, attended by Rabbi Schneier who joined (L-R) Bahrain Ambassador Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Kosovo Ambassador Ilir Dugolli, UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, Greece Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, Turkiye Ambassador Murat Mercan, and AIPAC CEO Howard Kohr.
Rabbi Schneier was honored to meet with H.E. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Washington DC. They discussed Kazakhstan's significant role in strengthening global interfaith relations and Rabbi Schneier's participation at the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions this September in Nur-Sultan.

H.E. Ilir Dugolli, Ambassador of Kosovo to the United States hosted Rabbi Marc Schneier at the Embassy of Kosovo in Washington, DC. They discussed Kosovo's model of tolerance and religious harmony as well as FFEU's global work in the field of Muslim-Jewish relations.
Rabbi Schneier joined Qatar Ambassador Meshal Al Thani, Kuwait Ambassador Salem Al Sabah and Congressman Andre Carson at the Gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of US-Qatar relations. He had the distinct honor to offer remarks alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Senator Lindsey Graham.
AZERBAIJAN
ADDRESSING SHUSHA GLOBAL CONFERENCE
H.E. Anar Karimov, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, invited Rabbi Schneier to address the global conference held in Shusha on "Advancing Post-conflict Humanitarian Agenda."

In his remarks, the rabbi reflected on the role of culture and religion in establishing dialogue and cooperation in post-conflict situations.

In addition, he hailed the Republic of Azerbaijan and its President, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, as the beacon of interreligious and intercultural understanding.
TURKIYE
CELEBRATING THE RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN TURKIYE AND ISRAEL
FFEU Rabbi Schneier hosted Turkish Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan and Consul General Reyhan Özgür at The Hampton Synagogue on Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the historic rapprochement between Israel and Türkiye facilitated by the Ambassador and the rabbi. Lahav Harkov, The Jerusalem Post Senior Diplomatic correspondent interviewed the Ambassador and the Rabbi on their role in facilitating this rapprochement.
ARAB NEWS BI-WEEKLY COLUMN

FFEU PARTNERS
GRASSROOTS ACTIVITIES AROUND THE WORLD
FFEU congratulates all our partners that we proudly sponsor around the world for their outstanding work in strengthening Muslim-Jewish relations and interfaith harmony.

  • INDIA - "Ramadan food drive"
At the end of April, the Indian Pluralism Foundation organized a food donation drive in Kolkata, India. The team that included Muslim, Christian and Hindu youth peacebuilders distributed 1000 food ration kits to the underprivileged and less fortunate people, on the outskirts of Kolkata city.

  • NIGERIA - "Ramadan Package" campaign
At the end of April, ChabadAid in Nigeria distributed 260,000 meals and served 2,200 families in various cities across Nigeria. 

  • UNITED KINGDOM - MACFEST and Muslim Women Art Foundation
Our UK partner Qaisra Shahraz received an award from The British Muslim Heritage Centre in recognition of her work with MACFEST and Muslim Women's Arts Foundation in connecting communities & celebrating Arts, Muslim Heritage and Cultures. Both initiatives are co-sponsored by FFEU.

  • UNITED STATES - "Free Dental Day for Our Afghan Friends"
Dr. Maqsood Chaudhry's Grove Dental Clinic in Falls Church and the interfaith coalition of Northern Virginia organized a successful "free Dental Day for Our Afghan Friends" co-sponsored by FFEU. About 70 refugees were treated by a team of 17 dentists. Patients were provided with free transportation to and from the clinic.
[Featured in WTOPNews and NBCWashington]
Follow FFEU
Follow Rabbi Marc Schneier