Jewish Boaz and Muslim Oumaima want to keep the dialogue going: "We must hold onto each other"
Jewish resident Boaz Cahn and Muslim resident Oumaima al Abdellaoui founded the Deel de Duif initiative to facilitate constructive dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict. By conducting workshops at various institutions, they aim to foster mutual understanding and challenge societal stereotypes despite rising tensions and political polarization.
Boaz Cahn, a Jewish man from Amstelveen, and Oumaima al Abdellaoui, a Muslim woman from Zaandam, co-founded the foundation Deel de Duif three years ago to foster dialogue regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The initiative began after the two met at an event hosted by the mayor of Amsterdam following the October 7 attacks. Alongside their peers, they realized the importance of promoting honest conversation during a time when public discourse was becoming increasingly polarized and hateful.
The pair travels to schools, universities, and businesses to help people find common ground rather than focusing solely on conflicting opinions or facts. Despite facing criticism and the political tendency to pit minority groups against each other, they remain committed to their work. They emphasize that while the societal climate remains difficult, maintaining these connections is essential for mutual understanding and peace. They hope to challenge the stereotype that this conflict is strictly between Jews and Muslims by demonstrating that genuine friendship can overcome deep-seated political divisions.
Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
