EU interfaith delegation in White House to learn about dialogue

An interfaith delegation, comprising European rabbis and imams, visited the White House on Thursday in a bid to rally American support for their campaign against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and extremism.

The delegation completed a four-day tour of New York and Washington synagogues and mosques that culminated in the White House visit. In a presentation, Administration officials outlined President Barack Obama's social policy, including strategies to tackle faith-related bigotry.

The members said that they were inspired by an interfaith initiative that has been successfully implemented in America, in which weekend activities are organized for joint Jewish and Muslim crowds in synagogues and mosques. They said they were resolute to import it to their communities.

Marc Schneier, a prominent New York rabbi and founder of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, is the person behind the visit. He said that its purpose was to learn from America's proven experience in interfaith dialogue and export the successful model to Europe.