The mission, vision and values of the new ground project
The Jewish-Islamic relations started way back in tn the 7th century, with the commencement and spread of Islam faith in the Arabian peninsula. The two faiths shared similar values, principles and guidelines and importantly Islam incorporated much of the Jewish history into its believes. For example Moses who ranks among the key prophets of Judaism, is as well regarded as an important prophet in the Islamic faith. His is not only a prophet but also a God’s messenger according to Islam. Many such examples linking Islam to Jewish or Judaism exists.
However, the Middle East crisis and the fight over ownership and the demarcation of the land of Israel, elicited sore relationship between these two groups. The crisis was not only confined to the Middle East but other parts of the worlds where the population of these two groups was quite considerable. North America – the most cosmopolitan continent in the world, could not avert being part of this crisis. The situation was to be made worse by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. To help mitigate the growing tension between Islam and other religious groups in North America, a number of Muslims and Jewish organizations we set up. NewGround is one such organisation.
The organization began in 2006 with a specific goal to respond and moderate the growing tension as well mistrust between the Muslims and the Jews in Los Angeles. In addition, NewGround’s mandate includes creation of a national model not only for productive engagement and healthy relationship between the two groups but also for social change between the American Jews and Muslims. As such, the organization’s goals, vision, mission and values are designed to meet this key objectives. NewGround’s Vision is to create a world in which the mutual suspicion between Jews and Muslims is replaced with trust and partnership. The pliability of Jewish-Muslim relations in the US will attest to be stronger than disagreements between communities serving as a model of what would be regarded as a successful pluralistic civic engagement in a growing diverse society.
On the other hand the mission of this group is to equip members of both Muslim and Jewish communities with the resources, skills and other material that are essential in improving relationship as well as cooperation in areas of shared interests and concerns. This is done through such programs as young professionals fellowship, consulting and programming. It aims to have an impact to a wide range of Jewish and Muslim leaders both with liberal and conservative views. The organization has developed a set of values to help achieve its goals. Key among them are; Curiosity over Assumption; where the drive to ask questions and to seek for clarification ought to supersede that of making premature and uninformed decisions and conclusions. The mission, vision and values of the new ground project can be sum up in few words; to strengthen the relationship between American Muslim and Jewish for peaceful and prosperous world. Relationship before politics local over international- facing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict head on while appreciating that organization’s impact is stronger locally than internationally. Safe open space- aiming to create a conducive atmosphere in which everyone is respected and valued for sharing his or her perspectives. Nimble and Responsive plurality over parity; appreciating diversity and thus exploring opportunities within those diversities.