Muslim Builder Steps Up

A Jewish synagogue is rising in the hills of Arkansas, in large part because of the generosity of the project contractor: a Muslim immigrant from the West Bank.

Since 1981, members of Temple Shalom have practiced their faith where they could. The congregation bought a house to convert into a temple, but members abandoned their plans after residents complained that the synagogue would bring traffic.

The Reform congregation then bought new land -- and Fadil Bayyari got involved. The Springdale, Ark., general contractor agreed to waive his regular fee, saving Temple Shalom at least $250,000.

"Abraham is our forefather," Bayyari said. "We're first cousins. How we got to hate each other is beyond me."