Take on the challenge to find understanding through interfaith events

Imam Jafar Muhibullah performs the Muslim Adhan, part of the call to worship portion of the program during the Interfaith Action of Central Texas’ Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Celebration in 2010. American-Statesman.

Making the decision to join an interfaith network is a big deal. Individuals must be willing to step outside their comfort zone to embrace the uncanny. In this network, members pray for the well-being and salvation of others who think and believe differently than themselves. Embracing the interfaith community means accepting a multitude of cultures and religious identities.

Conflicts between people have almost always been about securing and controlling land or other resources. In ancient times, the prophets brokered peace between conflicting parties.

The idea that compassion and mercy can bridge the divide between human beings is not exclusive to the Abrahamic faiths. Others have said:

  • Having abandoned the taking of life, refraining from killing, we dwell without violence, with the knife laid down, scrupulous, full of mercy, trembling with compassion for all sentient beings (azquotes.com). — Buddha
  • Not feeling compassion for a stranger is like not feeling when one’s foot has caught fire (ibid). — Confucius
  • To fill the human heart with compassion, mercy and universal love, which should radiate to all countries, nations, and peoples of the world… This is the way to peace on earth (ibid). — Kirpal Singh
  • Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty (ibid). — Albert Einstein

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