TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Sunday evening a Jewish Rabbi and Muslim Imam were on stage together hoping to shatter religious stereotypes.
The event was held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and their meeting room was packed with people.
Rabbi Thomas Louchheim from Congregation Or Chadash of Tucson and Imam Watheq Al-Obaidi from the Muslim Community Center of Tucson were the event's speakers. The goal was the build understanding and respect about their faiths.
"I came here because I'm concerned about the way the world is moving, the way our country is moving especially with this election coming up and the venomous rhetoric about certain religious faiths, especially Muslims, and I think we need to quash it," said Catholic Deacon John Klein. He came to the event from Sierra Vista.
Anti-Muslim rhetoric was a main topic in the meeting. It is also a major political topic. Presidential hopeful Donald Trump made headlines when he proposed banning Muslim immigration to the United States.
"[I] wish that some of the presidential candidates would be here," said Imam Watheq Al-Obaidi.
The Imam says people need to understand Islam is about loving and caring about others and they need to separate the religion from politics.
After the Imam and Rabbi spoke in front of the crowd, patrons gathered into small groups for discussion. Also Muslims and Jews prayed in front of a crowd to demonstrate their beliefs.
Overall, one of Rabbi Louchheim's suggests, treat people of different religions equally.
"That is how people should look at us, not as a Jew, not as a Muslim, not as a Christian, but as an American. These values that we hold really dear makes us better citizens," said the rabbi.
Sunday's event was put on by PeaceWalk Tucson, a group that is affiliated with Culture of Peace Alliance.
