Cook for Peace: Sharing Cultures Builds Bridges between SA Students

Submitted by Waleed Majiet Al Yamani  

CayleeTalpert of SAUJS and Waleed Majiet Al-Yamani of the Centre for Islamic Studies, University of JHB currently studying for his Masters in Islamic Studies, were the initiators of the Cook for Peace Project.

They met last year at a function hosted by the Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust (www.desmondtutudiversitytrust.co.za). “The Youth Think Tank”
The Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust (DTDT) constitutes a response to the challenges of racism, prejudices, intolerance and hostilities entrenched into the South African society by decades of diversity mismanagement under the apartheid regime.

 The driving force of the Trust is its firm conviction that democracy and nation building in South Africa can be nurtured and sustained by managing and celebrating diversity in all its manifestations. One of the projects identified to promote and sustain the above ideals, is the inter-action of young adults from different religions and cultures.

The first event in this regard took place in September 2007 in Johannesburg. This encounter led Jewish and Muslim students to meet across religious barriers for the very first time in their lives. In pursuance of that initial meeting, Jewish and Muslim students decided to arrange an event where they will together prepare a meal. With this initiative the students hope to bridge the gaps between their religions and focus on their similarities and shared values as students growing up in the new South Africa.

In the process, they also hope to develop a relationship based on trust. 30 Jewish students and 30 Muslim students will therefore be engaged in, what they call, "Cook for Peace" on Sunday16 March 2008 at the University of Johannesburg.

The “Cook for Peace” event takes place under the auspices of the Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust and carries the blessing of both our Patron, Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu and our Board of Trustees. Whilst “Cook for Peace 2008” is a relatively small event, its symbolic value is of great importance. It is aimed at respect and better understanding between young people of two of the many religio-cultural groups in South Africa and represents a clear, if small, voice, against local and global intolerance.

As such it can certainly become a worthy example for other cultural groups in our country, and elsewhere in the world, who are living in obscurity from each other. It is however important to note that, by engaging in “Cook for Peace”, neither the students nor the Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust are losing sight of the morally offensive struggle involving, amongst others, Jews and Muslims in the Middle East. The continued loss of valuable human lives is indeed deplorable.

In cooking for peace, Muslim and Jewish students in Johannesburg will in the process of gaining mutual understanding of each other, be remembering their co-religionists in the volatile situation in the Middle East and will be praying for lasting peace in that region.

Contact Details:
PATRON Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu EXECUTIVE TRUSTEES:
Prof Gerrie Lubbe (CEO) (+27 83 992-6067), Sean Moodley (+27 83 659-0615)
PO Box 2195, Florida Hills, 1716
 diversitysa@telkomsa.net 
http//www.desmondtutudiversitytrust.org.za

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