WOOLF Institute: E-Learning course entitled “Muslims and Jews: The Historical and Contemporary Encounter”

I am so glad that I participated and learned so much about the historical and contemporary relations between the Jews and Muslims. I am thankful to the WOOLF Institute for giving me a full bursary, without it I won't be able to experience a modern methodology of learning and acquisition of knowledge regarding the subject-matter even am residing outside the UK. I wish to acknowledge my debt of gratitude to Dr. Kessler, Dr. Meri, Shayk Mumisa, Dr. Dominguez-Diaz, Dr. Rosmer, Mrs. Kessler, Dr. Cohen and to my fellow colleagues for their shared wisdom and intellect during the forum discussions and debates. 

I urge everyone to participate especially those who would like to understand Abrahamic faiths and their relations with each other, and try to argue beyond of who we are as Muslims, Jews, or Christians but as a human being driven with a thirst for knowledge and accepts the Other without preconceived perception(s) by opening up our mind. I commend this great endeavor and advocacy of the WOOLF Institute for fostering inter-faith dialogues through the academia and advancing the intellectual human civilization across space and time.

                                                       

Here is an introduction about the E-learning course:

Relations between Muslims and Jews are often overshadowed by the conflict in the Middle East and by an increasing sense of insecurity felt by each community. But there is more to Muslim-Jewish relations than a history of discord. 

This pioneering course will study the historical periods of fruitful co-existence and tolerance, the encounters which brought Muslims and Jews together, and the shared rituals that are part of the fabric of everyday life. We will also ask difficult questions related to how perceptions of the ‘other’ are formed in the context of sacred narratives. And whether Islamophobia and Antisemitism are on the rise and how we should deal with them. The course will also address modern complexities, including the rise of modern Zionism and the place of Palestine in Muslim consciousness.

This challenging programme is divided into three modules of four weeks each. It will appeal to those interested in history as well as those interested in how faith is impacting on society today, particularly people working in and with faith communities. Past participants have included police officers, educators, human rights officers, lawyers, religious and community leaders, film directors and journalists.

The e-learning approach allows you complete flexibility; you can study wherever and whenever you choose and you will be supported by Woolf Institute tutors throughout. On completion of this course you will be awarded a certificate from the Woolf Institute.