Abraham’s Hospitality and Sacrifice Panel
Panelists: Munir Shaikh, Vice President of Operations and Academic Affairs at Bayan Islamic Graduate School
Dr. Reinhard Krauss, Executive director of Academy of Judaic Christian and Islamic Studies
Rabbi Yisroel Ciner, Beth Jacob Congregation of Irvine
Date: July 22nd, 2021
Time: 6pm
Location: Pacifica Institute Irvine
The event started with a light dinner. As it was the third day of festivities, traditional meals of Eid al Adha were served.
Esra Eldem introduced the speakers and initiated the first round of talk.
Rabbi Ciner started first and mentioned that we should emulate God and be God like as He is the most hospitable of all hosts. How beautiful a host God is by hosting us in his world and giving us this body. Rabbi Ciner stresses that Abraham through hospitality was not asking anything in return.
Dr Kraus mentioned the three strangers Abraham hosting them in his home. Abraham treats them in the most generous way and when they were heralded a first child at old age, himself and Sarah were surprised. Jesus says invite the poor lame and unprivileged people.
Munir Shaikh thanked Pacifica for hosting this interfaith gathering and explained the situation between Ishmael and Abraham. Whatever in this world is transient and being in the presence of God is the most important. Muhammet pbuh practice are recorded in early centuries of Islam and stresses in one hadith that taking care of 40 neighbors in around one’s home is of utmost importance. Sufis tend to not to take food on a journey relying on God and the hospitality of Abraham like people.
