Cultural Exchange - Muslim & Japanese Communities

[kasia]

“Breaking the Fast”

Building Ties and Understanding

A Cultural Exchange between the Muslim American Community and Japanese American Community

Saturday, November 16, 2002 4 pm (Please be prompt)

Senshin Buddhist Temple • 1311 W. 37th Street, Los Angeles

Organized by: Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)

Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress September 11 Committee

During the holy month of Ramadan, which begins in November, Muslims take no food or water from sunup until sundown and they are encouraged to break the fast and eat with extended family and friends.

Please join us as our two communities break the fast together and share our cultures, food, and experiences. The event will begin with an explanation of the fast and Ramadan. Reverend Masao Kodani of Senshin Buddhist Temple will talk about Buddhism.

The program will include prayer, cultural performances, a potluck dinner, and informal discussion.

Those interested in attending the “Breaking of the Fast” event are asked to bring food to share (please no alcohol or pork dishes).

For more information, call NCRR at 213-680-3484, www.ncrr-la.org, or MPAC at 213-383-3443.

[artsfartsyjanet]

One of my ESL students is Saudi Arabian and is a pleasure to learn from her because she's also fasting for the Holy month of Ramadan.

[Hiroshi2]

Interesting. There doesn't seem to be too much talk of Muslims or Arabs in general interacting with Japanese (or any other East Asians for that matter). Do the two groups seem to get along fine? I think there's a small Iranian and Pakistani population in Tokyo, though.

[kasia]

Originally posted by Hiroshi2@Nov 11 2002, 03:36 AM
Interesting. There doesn't seem to be too much talk of Muslims or Arabs in general interacting with Japanese (or any other East Asians for that matter). Do the two groups seem to get along fine? I think there's a small Iranian and Pakistani population in Tokyo, though.
i went to a panel discussion held by a muslim group and a bunch of japanese groups after 9/11. was held in little tokyo of los angeles. went fairly well. there were actually two japanese american members of the panel who were interned when they were younger. because of the experience of the japanese americans during wwII, they can relate to how muslims are being targeted today after 9/11.

norman mineta was actually interned as well, to my knowledge. That may be a reason why he was opposed to the US Patriot Act.

[Hiroshi2]

Originally posted by kasia@Nov 10 2002, 08:20 PM
Originally posted by Hiroshi2@Nov 11 2002, 03:36 AM


norman mineta was actually interned as well, to my knowledge.  That may be a reason why he was opposed to the US Patriot Act.

Really? I didn't realize he was old enough to be interned. There's no way I could've worked for the government after that.

And it's weird that it hasn't crossed my mind that often, but yes, both the Muslim (and Arab) communites and the Japanese-American communities do have a common link as far as wartime predjudice and racism is concerned.. It wouldn't suprise me if Bush did try to lock up and intern Muslims and Arabs even in this day and age. But that's a debate for another thread......