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FFEU promotes its mission of interreligious cooperation and reconciliation by working with global leaders

Rabbi Schneier and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the White House Chanukah Party

December 11, 2023:

Rabbi Marc Schneier attended the White House Chanukah Party. He discussed the State of Muslim-Jewish relations in the Middle East, here at home and around the world with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken .

 

Rabbi Schneier receives Interfaith Award in Kazakhstan

October 11, 2023:

The Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions hosted Rabbi Marc Schneier as their Guest of Honor on the occasion of the Secretariat’s XXIe anniversary. During the event, Rabbi Schneier received the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions’ Award from H.E. Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan.

 

UNGA78 side-meeting between H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye and American Jewish Leaders

September 20, 2023:

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier and a select group of American Jewish leaders met at the Turkish House in New York, with H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye. They touched on a host of issues including President Erdogan’s upcoming plans to visit the State of Israel.

Rabbi Schneier was featured in the leading Israeli and Turkish media. (Milliyet, Ynet, Haaretz, i24News, Jerusalem Post, Daily Sabah, Hurriyet…)

The event followed President Erdogan’s address at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and his meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

 

Discussing interreligious cooperation with H.E. Kairat Umarov, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan

July 13, 2023:

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier was hosted by H.E. Kairat Umarov, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan at a private luncheon held at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Washington, D.C.
He joined H.E. Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, and a few American Jewish leaders, for a thoughtful conversation on US-Kazakhstan relations and Kazakhstan’s leadership in promoting interreligious cooperation and intercultural dialogue.

 

Joining Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Israeli President Herzog at State Luncheon Reception in Baku

May 30, 2023:

Rabbi Marc Schneier joined H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in welcoming, at the Presidential Palace in Baku, H.E. Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel and the First Lady.

 

Celebrating the opening of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tel Aviv

March 30, 2023:

Azerbaijan became the first Shia Muslim majority country to open an Embassy in Israel, fulfilling President Ilham Aliyev‘s historic vision. At the invitation of President Aliyev and Economic Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, Rabbi Schneier was honored to join Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and H.E. Mukhtar Mammadov, new Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Israel, at the opening of the Embassy in Tel Aviv.

 

 

Private meeting with His Majesty Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of Jordan in Washington, D.C.

February 2, 2023:

Rabbi Schneier along with 10 other American Jewish leaders, engaged in a warm intimate hour-long discussion with the King of Jordan, His Majesty Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein at the residence of Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar.

 

 

Private meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Washington, D.C.

January 18, 2023:

Rabbi Schneier attended an intimate gathering at the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC, with his distinguished friend, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who addressed the heads of foremost US think tanks, academia and American Jewish leaders.

 

 

Historic Israel – Bahrain meeting at the Royal Palace in Manama

December 4, 2022:

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier participated at the historic visit between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and H.E. Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel.

The meeting convened at the Royal Palace in Manama celebrated the first-ever visit by an Israeli President to the Kingdom of Bahrain, another remarkable demonstration of friendship and cooperation between the two countries since the signing of the Abraham Accords.

 

Meetings with King and Crown Prince of Bahrain during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum

November 3, 2022:

Rabbi Marc Schneier was hosted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain during private interfaith meetings at the Royal Palace.

 

UNGA 77 meetings with Turkish President Erdogan, Prime Minister Yair Lapid

September 19-21, 2022:

On September 19, during his visit to New York to attend the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, received representatives of the American Jewish community at the Turkish House.
FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier along with Turkish Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Murat Mercan, facilitated the historic Ankara meeting between the Turkish President and Israeli President Isaac Herzog back in March. The Rabbi is seeing in the above photo reviewing with President Erdoğan the great success of that encounter.
On September 21, Rabbi Schneier joined a delegation of American Jewish leaders in New York to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid. The Prime Minister inquired about Rabbi Schneier’s Global Muslim-Jewish initiatives and his recent trips to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

 

Meeting with Kazakhstan’s Senate Chairperson, H.E. Maulen Ashimbayev

September 15, 2022

H.E. Maulen Ashimbayev, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, presented the official signing pen of the Kazakhstan Senate to Rabbi Schneier in recognition of his long-standing support and commitment to the Congress.

 

Ministerial meetings in Azerbaijan

September 12-13, 2022

On 13 September, Rabbi Schneier and FFEU Executive Director Chris Sacarabany were hosted by H.E. Minister Anar Karimov, Minister of Culture for the Republic of Azerbaijan. They had a positive and fruitful conversation about the Peace4Culture Global Call, as well as the Baku Forum – interreligious platforms to which Rabbi Schneier has been honored to address on several occasions.

On 12 September, Rabbi Schneier and Chris Sacarabany were received by H.E. Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy for the Republic of Azerbaijan. During their meeting, they exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the rich cultural heritage and tolerance values of tolerance and coexistence in Azerbaijan. The Rabbi thanked the Minister for the government and the Azeri people’s warm hearts shown toward the flourishing Jewish community that has been a part of Azerbaijan for millennia. 
Later that day, they had a productive visit with H.E. Mubariz Gurbanli, Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan at which they discussed upcoming interfaith initiatives.
The Association is translating into Azeri Rabbi Schneier’s book Sons of Abraham: A Candid Conversation about the Issues That Divide and Unite Jews and Muslims. It will be published in Azerbaijan in Spring 2023.
The book has been translated into multiple languages, including Arabic, French, Hebrew and Indonesian. “Access in many languages is a key component for promoting through the book and its curriculum mutual understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,” said Rabbi Schneier at the meeting. 

 

Rabbi Marc Schneier facilitated Turkish President Erdogan and Israeli President Herzog’s historic meeting

March 9, 2022

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier in cooperation with the Turkish Ambassador to the United States H.E. Murat Mercan facilitated the historic Ankara meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
This first step to an Israel-Turkey rapprochement marked the first visit of an Israeli leader for the past 14 years to Turkey.
During his visit in Ankara, Rabbi Schneier discussed Israel-Turkey and US-Turkey relations with H.E. Mevlut Cavosuglu, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs and also with the Hon. Jeffry Flake, Ambassador of the United States to Turkey.
In addition, Rabbi Schneier joined President Herzog and his wife Michal at the Turkish Jewish museum in Istanbul following the ceremonial service at Neve Shalom Synagogue, that was also the scene of the deadly 1986 terror attack in which 22 people where killed and bombings in 1992 and in 2003.

 

Rabbi Marc Schneier received Hanukah gifts from Azerbaijan

December 3, 2021

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier was invited by the Republic of Azerbaijan, a country that hosts 30,000 Jews, the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, for a series of meetings with top government officials and religious leaders, Hanukkah receptions, and to speak at a new peace and heritage global initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted Rabbi Schneier at the Presidential Palace in Baku. President Aliyev entrusted the Rabbi Schneier with Historic Hanukkah Gifts and proclamations for the betterment of the Azerbaijan Jewish community, the State of Israel and the world Jewry, namely:

1. President Aliyev announced Azerbaijan’s first participation in International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan, 27 2022,

2. He committed to funding the growing Jewish School in Baku – Chabad Ohr Avner – as per the previous meeting he had in February with Rabbi Schneier who requested then his support, on behalf of the Chief Rabbi of Azerbaijan. President Aliyev also pledged his ongoing financial support for the school. His noble gesture was another demonstration of the values of tolerance, interfaith and interreligious respect and cooperation that are deeply rooted in Azerbaijan’s society,

3. Azerbaijan’s new Trade and Tourism office in Tel Aviv was announced as “just the first step” in the strengthening of the Israeli-Azerbaijani relations.

 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Hosts Rabbi Marc Schneier

January 20, 2020

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. They discussed the importance of coexistence and respect for cultural diversity among different people to promote peace, and eliminate violence and extremism. Rabbi Schneier was also received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Cabinet Adel bin ahmed Al-Jubeir. They discussed the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting and achieving peace and security in the region. Rabbi Schneier met with Ambassador John Abizaid , US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where they discussed the relationship between the United States and the Kingdom as well as different interfaith initiatives supported by the Saudi government.

 

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier attended National Day Receptions in D.C.

December 3, 2019

Rabbi Marc Schneier was a guest of H.E. Ambassador Shaikh Abdulla Al Khalifa, Ambassador of Bahrain to the United States, and his wife, Aisha, for the Bahrain National Day Reception which was held on December 2019. While there, he spoke with Ambassador Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States and his wife Lala, about The Hampton Synagogue’s upcoming mission to Azerbaijan in March 2020.

Rabbi Schneier joined H.E. Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States, at the Qatar National Day Celebration held at the Library of Congress on December 3rd. They continued discussing plans for Kosher food at the World Cup in 2022. While there, he spoke with H.E. Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States, about The Hampton Synagogue’s upcoming mission to Oman.

Rabbi Schneier attended the Kazakhstan Independence Day Reception on December 3rd in Washington, DC. He discussed Muslim-Jewish relations with Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States.

 

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Celebrated the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman

November 18, 2019

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier participated in the 49th anniversary of the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman and met with its Ambassador to the United Nations H.E. Mohamed al Hassan.  They discussed upcoming FFEU projects in Oman.

 

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Took Part At The White House’s Peace To Prosperity Workshop In Manama, Bahrain

June 25-26, 2019

In his capacity as Special Advisor to the King of Bahrain, H.M. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier was invited in Manama this week for the White House’s Peace to Prosperity Workshop led by senior adviser Jared Kushner. The gathering brought together government leaders, private and public sector business leaders to develop economic opportunities as a step to foster peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Participants hailed from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Egypt, Jordan and others. The excitement was palpable as high level participants all came together to discuss the White House economic plan.
In addition to this very promising assembly, there were a couple of other important moments. For the first time in history, Bahrain allowed 7 Israeli journalists to visit and attend the conference. These journalists were allowed access to officials as well – some even interviewed Bahrain’s Foreign Minister H.E. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. The second, was that yesterday morning the Jewish community opened up their synagogue for the invited Jewish participants to join them for the Shacharit service. It wasn’t lost on the attendees the magnitude of their being in a Jewish synagogue in a Gulf country.
Rabbi Schneier and Bahrain's Foreign Minister H.E. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
Rabbi Schneier with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde
Rabbi Schneier and US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin
Rabbi Schneier with UAE Emaar Properties Chairman Mohammed Alabbar

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Participated at Diplomatic Iftars Hosted By Bahrain, Oman, Qatar in Washington, DC and Israel in New York

May 16-30, 2019

During this year’s Ramadan season, FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier joined our distinguished friends in Washington D.C. and New York from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Israel at their respective Embassies and residences to celebrate the Muslim holy month of prayer, fasting and community.

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Hosted By H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President Of The Republic Of Azerbaijan For The 5th World Forum On Intercultural Dialogue

May 02-03, 2019

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier met with H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and addressed the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. The conference was organized by the Government of Azerbaijan in partnership with UNESCO, UNAOC, UNWTO, the Council of Europe and ISESCO,under the banner of “Building dialogue into action against discrimination, inequality and violent conflict.”
Rabbi Schneier also met with Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and discussed the state of Muslim-Jewish relations globally and how Azerbaijan is one of only two Muslim countries where Holocaust education is a mandatory component of the curriculum and how significant that is as the Jewish people commemorate Yom HaShoah that same very day.

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Appointed As Special Advisor To The King Hamad Global Center For Peaceful Coexistence

December 2018

H.M. King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and the Bahrain Royal Court have appointed Rabbi Marc Schneier as special advisor to the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence under the leadership of H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. The appointment was made on the 7th anniversary of Rabbi Schneier’s first visit to the King’s palace in Manama that took place during Chanukah.

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier’s Special Appointment To The Baku Center For Interfaith Cooperation (BCIC)

December 2018

The Baku Center for Interfaith Cooperation (BCIC), led by His Virtue Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, has appointed Rabbi Schneier as a Trustee of the prominent interfaith center under the patronage of H.E. President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On November 19, 2018, Rabbi Schneier addressed a gathering of world religious leaders in Berlin, organized by BCIC and the Federal Republic of Germany.

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Was A Keynote Speaker At The Iftar Hosted By H.E. Shaikh Abdulla R. Al Khalifa, Ambassador Of The Kingdom Of Bahrain To The US

May 24, 2018

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier was a keynote speaker at the Iftar hosted by H.E. Shaikh Abdulla R. Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States. The event gathered more than 130 Muslim, Jewish and Evangelical Christian guests who celebrated the Kingdom of Bahrain for promoting religious tolerance and cooperation. Rabbi Schneier offered his remarks alongside Imam Mohamed Hag Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) and Reverend Jonnie Moore of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

On February 2018, Rabbi Schneier led the Hampton Synagogue Congregational mission to Bahrain, which was the first-ever congregational mission to an Arab State in the Gulf. The delegation met with the Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahraini officials and leaders of the Bahrain Jewish community, including former ambassador of Bahrain to the United States Huda Nonoo, current member of Bahraini parliament Nancy Khedouri and community leader Michael Yadgar.

Read related article here.

Rabbi Marc Schneier Met With President Ilham Aliyev In Baku Before Addressing Conference On Interfaith Dialogue

December 21, 2017

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier, joined by H.E. Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to United States, met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev at the Presidential Palace in Baku. Rabbi then addressed the conference “2017 – Islamic Solidarity Year: Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue,” a gathering of global religious leaders in Baku.

He spoke about the FFEU’s fight against anti-Muslim bigotry and its #MuslimsAreSpeakingOut Campaign.

See more in Trend News Agency

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Presenting FFEU 2017 Award In Doha To H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi

December 18, 2017

During his trip to Doha, Qatar, FFEU President, Rabbi Marc Schneier presented the Global Muslim-Jewish Award to FFEU 2017 honoree, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the World Cup 2022. H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi was honored alongside Scooter Braun, Hasan Minhaj, Will Packer and Ben Silverman last October at FFEU L.A. Benefit but Mr. Al Thawadi was not able to attend the ceremony.

Preparation of the first Congregational Mission to Bahrain

December 14, 2017

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier met the Prince of Bahrain, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Rabbi and Sheikh Abdullah discussed FFEU Muslim-Jewish global programs and finalized the itinerary of the upcoming Hampton Synagogue mission, first ever congregational mission to Bahrain or any country in the Gulf.

See more in the JTA

FFEU President Rabbi Marc Schneier Met With Azerbaijan President Aliyev And Leading Evangelical Leaders

September 19, 2017

As part of its ongoing effort to foster understanding and cooperation between the Muslim and Christian communities, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), facilitated a private meeting this morning between the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, and American evangelical leaders.

See more in Azernews