Stereotypes with deep historical roots damage democracies that thrive on diversity and understanding, so when a friendship evolves between a Muslim Imam and a Jewish Rabbi, the potential is powerful.

But that was not the predetermined purpose of this friendship between two scholars and religious leaders. Their friendship began with a simple email and shared affection.

When Rabbi Daniel Bogard, Congregation Anshai Emeth, first moved to Peoria in 2011, he followed his nature and reached out to other religious leaders.

Bogard grew up in St. Louis in a Jewish household focused on social justice. He firmly believes interfaith dialogue helps us understand ourselves and the world.

Imam Kamil Mufti, resident scholar at the Islamic Foundation of Peoria, was born in Pakistan and studied mathematics and physics in Great Britain and the United States before focusing on religious philosophy and Islam.

They discovered a shared passion: author and Jewish philosopher Rambam Maimonides, born 1135 and died 1204.

“His ideas have resonance with Muslim theology,” Mufti said. “He is one of the greatest thinkers in the Jewish world.”

Maimonides developed a complex philosophy. Among his tenets is the concept of tzedakah or giving justice or righteousness so a person can become self-supporting. He developed a complex analysis of evil stemming from individual traits versus goodness coming from universally shared humanity.

Both Bogard and Mufti are concerned with racism and hate. As members of the Interfaith Alliance, they were instrumental in organizing Peace for Peoria events.

“I had been of the impression racism was a construct of thinking, but it seems to be deeply embedded in feelings of superiority and supremecy,” Mufti said.

Bogard said, “Jews are extremely sensitive to the concept of Islamaphobia and the rhetoric of hate. Jews have no illusion that speech is separate from action. Hate speech, coded speech, dog whistling. Whether Trump is the (Republican) candidate or not, his speech has already done damage to this country.”

Mufti said the Muslim community is watching and listening to this presidential election closely. Members of his community have already come to him concerned because their children are apprehensive and have asked “What will happen to us?”

Mufti does not tell parents to simply reassure their children. He tells them to be honest and discuss concerns.

“The promise of America is that opportunity should be equal and based on merit, not race or religion,” Mufti said.

The congregations at both the Islamic Foundation of Peoria and Anshai Emeth are primarily professional families contributing to their communities and the country, yet neither congregation feels immune from hate.

“Jews are in a unique position of privilege today in this country, but I still don’t know a Jew who doesn’t have his passport near,” Bogard said. “Progress is slow and incremental. Hate is quick and powerful.”

Everyone can acknowledge the admirable founding principles of this country, but it is equally important to acknowledge the history of this country based on violence, slavery, discrimination and marginalization of women. Income inequality is now greater in this country than in most other developed nations. The concept of “American exceptionalism” ignores the history and mythologizes the ideal.

“It does not help anyone understand truth when we just present the romantic notion of America,” Bogard said.

Mufti agreed and said it’s important to encourage critical thinking and learn people don’t have to disrespect another person while disagreeing with their ideas.

When a recent discussion turned to the Iraq war, there was a palpable sense of sadness in both men.  It was war based on a lie but speaking against the war was considered anti-American. Half a million Iraqi children under age 5 have died because of the war and the sanctions, Bogard said.

He added that the children of Congregation Anshai Emeth and the Islamic Foundation of Peoria already get along, and noted “minorities of any sort have a natural bonding.”

Bogard recently accepted a position in Cincinnati and the two men are measuring their remaining time.

“A lot of people think Muslims and Jews hate each other but many have professional partnerships based on respect,” Mufti said.

Both expect to continue their friendship despite Bogard’s departure from Peoria.

“I’ll miss him,” Bogard said.

Mufti countered, “It’s a matter of who will miss the other more.”

Both men appeared on a panel discussion at Peace for Peoria in May in the Peoria Civic Center. The oft-repeated question was asked about whether Islam and the Quran promote violence and whether the Muslim religion condones ISIS.

Panel members from all faiths were in agreement disputing that correlation.

Mufti said equating Islam with ISIS is like equating Christianity with the Ku Klux Klan. Passages from both the Quran and the Bible can be taken out of context and used to contend they promote violence.

“All Muslim scholars condemn ISIS,” Mufti said.

In opening remarks, Doug Oberhelman, CEO at Caterpillar Inc., said the success of his company is about more than its products and is tied to its diverse global workforce. He said the Peace for Peoria forum countering negative presentations of Islam is one of the most important events he will attend in 2016. He warned we “walk down a blind alley of prejudice at our own peril. Nothing good can come from it.”

Oberhelman said he has been to more than 70 countries and knowing and working with people of diverse backgrounds has made him smarter.

He said part of Caterpillar’s responsibility when it asks people to move to Peoria is to assure them of a level playing field without discrimination.