From Philadelphia Inquirer
January 20, 2004

An open dialogue born from tragedy

The Jewish father of Daniel Pearl initiates discourse with an Islamic scholar.
By Art Carey
Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer

Two years ago this month, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped by Islamic extremists in Pakistan.

His later killing - a beheading captured on tape - shocked the world and devastated his family. But instead of succumbing to bitterness, instead of seeking revenge, Pearl's family and friends took the high road.

They set up the Daniel Pearl Foundation to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music and innovative communication.

"Hatred took the life of my son, and hatred I will fight till the end of my life," declared his father, Judea Pearl.

An example of the foundation's mission took place in October in Pittsburgh. Judea Pearl, a professor of computer science at the University of California, Los Angeles, joined Akbar Ahmed, a professor of Islamic studies and international relations at American University, for a public discussion of what separates and unites them.

The forum was designed to show that amicable discourse is possible despite the divisiveness of extremists.

The dialogue resumes tonight in a free program at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

"What it really is is eavesdropping on a private conversation between two brilliant academicians who come from two different worlds," said Robert Seltzer, the local director of the American Jewish Committee, which is sponsoring the event.

At least 400 people from Jewish, Christian and Islamic circles are expected to attend and will be encouraged to take part.

"Those who dream of a better world, we hope, will be there," Seltzer said.

The forum takes place against a background of animosity - and periodic violence - toward non-Muslims in the Muslim world, particularly Pakistan, Ahmed's homeland.

"I'm going to attend, and I've been putting out the word," said Marwan Kreidie, director of the Philadelphia Arab-American Community Development Corporation. "We're an Arab organization, but a lot of our members are Muslim. These concerns resonate in our community, so I expect there will be a good showing of Arab Americans."

Pearl, 67, an Israeli native, and Ahmed, 60, a onetime Pakistani diplomat, said in interviews that their first dialogue gave them a better appreciation of why both Jews and Muslims feel besieged.

The most moving moment in that program came when Umar Ghuman, a member of the Pakistani parliament, went onstage and apologized to Judea Pearl.

"On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I beg forgiveness for the murder of your son, Danny Pearl," Ghuman said.

His public gesture brought tears to the eyes of many and prompted an outbreak of hugs.

"We don't apologize in our culture," Ahmed said. "For him to apologize in public, that was a huge cultural barrier he was breaking. I was very moved and proud."

"I was in awe," Pearl said, "because I know what it takes to make such a public apology in his environment, where many people perceive that as an admission of guilt. I admired his courage."

If the first dialogue was largely a get-acquainted session, tonight's will tackle more difficult matters, both men said.

"Judea and I are committed to being ruthlessly honest," Ahmed said. "We don't want to duck or hide from the real, hard issues. It does no good to be too polite, to pretend, for instance, that Islam is always this lovey-dovey religion of peace."

One topic Pearl plans to address: how and why Jews, who fervently avow separation of church and state, can support the religious state of Israel.

There's talk of future dialogues in other U.S. cities and possibly in Britain and the Middle East. But this has not evolved into a formal road show. Rather, it's seen as a model, say all involved, of communication and compassion.

Ahmed is optimistic.

"In October, my aim was to bring as many Muslims as possible to the event, and I found a great reluctance in the community. I literally had to drag some Muslims through the door.

"This time around, the response from the Muslim community has been much more positive. This shows me there has been a shift, and that's what gives me hope," he said.

"If the ground can shift that much from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, maybe with another two or three of these conversations we can get the mainstream coming in, and that would be a great source of joy."

Contact staff writer Art Carey at [email protected] or 215-854-4588.