Each morning I love to find the story in that day's New York Times that will be worth the price of the subscription. Sometimes the story is in the paper's news coverage. More often, it's a feature story.

Today, it comes from the sports section, a story about a race horse named Maimonides. The horse is named after one of the greatest Jewish philosophers and theologians in history. Maimonides lived more than 800 years ago. He was the chief rabbi of Cairo and was also the physician to the sultan of Egypt -- which means that he served both Jews and Muslims. The writer of the article quotes Rabbi Israel Rubin: Maimonides "blended religious study and intellect with worldly manners to heal the sick and guide the healthy. He was respected and honored by both Jews and Arabs. This is especially relevant now in our life and times."

Rabbi Rubin teaches at the Maimonides Hebrew Day School in Albany, NY, and there are pictures accompanying the article of him and some of his students, visiting the colt. They are all wearing yarmulkes on their heads.

Here's what makes the story especially interesting: the horse Maimonides is owned and was named by a Muslim! His name is Ahmed Zayat, an Egyptian now living in New Jersey. He was born and raised in a suburb of Cairo.

What tantalizing prospects there are for world peace, when people of different religious traditions appreciate the riches of each other's traditions!

Here's a web site to check out: www.libforall.org. It's a global network of moderate and progressive interpretations of Islam.

Islam does not have a single authoritative voice, such as a Pope, or even the head of a denomination. Instead, local imams work independently, competing for influence. There are countless moderate imams across the world who are not covered in the news media, and so many equate Islam with extremism. (It would be the same as if people equated Christianity with Pat Robertson. Actually, many do! What a shame.)

Pray that the moderate voices in Islam will gain in influence, so that God can lead the children of Abraham towards peace.