A GROUP of Scottish Muslims and Jews are hoping to show Europe that the two communities can live in peace and harmony after forming a joint committee to work together on issues affecting both religions, including mixed religious education.
The committee, made up of five Jews and five Muslims, has been described as a "positive step forward" for Jewish-Muslim relations in Scotland.
The group, formed in Glasgow, will meet for the first time this week to discuss a possible proposal for a joint education project, care for the elderly within both religions, hate crime and religious animal slaughter.
Committee member Nabeel Shaikh, general secretary of Glasgow Central Mosque, said: "This is a very positive step forward for Jewish and Muslim relations in Scotland and something which we hope will show people throughout the UK and Europe that Muslims can not only live side by side with Jews, but we can work and build things together also.
"The group is at a very early stage but we are laying the foundations. We've realised that there's a lot more we have in common than has appeared."
Shaikh said improving relations between the two communities was important in light of the recent events in Paris and Denmark, as well as the ongoing issues in Palestine and the West Bank.
He added: "We agree to disagree on certain things but there's definitely a mindset to work progressively together and that's the unique thing about this group.
"We respect each other, we understand that we're going to have differences, but we don't allow those differences to come between the commonality, the common issue we face."
The committee is understood to have been formed after Jewish representatives were invited to Glasgow Central Mosque and Muslims were invited to visit the Synagogue last year.
Since then there have been a number of informal meetings between the two communities, with the first formal working group meeting scheduled to take place this week.
Paul Morron, president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, is also on the committee and said he was looking forward to the first formal meeting.
He said: "I'm delighted the leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities are having their first joint co-ordination meeting this week.
"It's an open agenda where I have no doubt some interesting joint ventures may be tabled by either the Jewish or Muslim communities for discussion.
"In particular, we will discuss common issues which affect both our communities, both in the present and looking to the future."
Another event is also being held today by Breaking Barriers, an organisation which seeks to bring Christians, Jews and Muslims together.
The free event, being held at the University of Edinburgh, is based on the process of "scriptural reasoning" where small groups from different faiths "gather to read and reflect on short passages from their scriptures" in the hope of learning more about each other's religion and beliefs.
The meeting will look at texts on the theme of justice, reconciliation and forgiveness.
Those attending will also be invited to attend the Isha prayer at the Central Mosque after the conference.
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