The dialogue on "Women and Islam" at Temple B'nai Sholom in Rockville Centre was the first in a recent Sunday night series that runs through April 2 and is designed by Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz to build understanding between the faiths.

The idea, he said, came from King Abdullah II of Jordan who invited 20 American rabbis to lunch in Washington in September and urged them "to bring Muslims and Jews together."

The first guest a week ago Sunday, Dr. Kausar Zaman of Woodbury, a pediatrician at Winthrop-University Hospital and Mercy Medical Center and trustee of the Islamic Center of Long Island, sought to dispel the view that Islam subjugates women.

Her religion, she said, stresses modesty. "You don't wear sexy clothes and excite people," she said. "The headscarf is a signal that says 'Do not mess with me. I'm not here for my looks, I'm here for who I am.'"

Rabbi Schwartz said his religion shares "the concept of modesty": Jewish women also cover their heads during Orthodox and Conservative services.

Meanwhile, Zaman also said the American custom of unchaperoned dating is not the way of Islam. A boy "may visit with the family for dinner but boys and girls do not date," she added.

Both believe in monogamy. The rabbi said polygamy was outlawed in Judaism in the 11th century. Men were probably not unhappy to be assured "only one Jewish mother-in-law," he quipped.

Zaman's invitation to the temple event came about through Mercy Medical Center connections. Her husband, Qamar, is chairman of the medical department, and Schwartz is on the board. The Schwartzes and Zamans met at social functions and became friends.

This is cache, read story here