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OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE SERIES
1. To learn about one another's core beliefs of faith, culture, traditions and community life
2. To ask questions in dialogue that lead to greater understanding
3. To create friendships and build relationships across religious and cultural devides
4. To decrease suspicion and fear of one another
5. To be part of a process that eliminates acts of discrimination and hate against recent immigrants and persons of color
6. To contribute toward building greater respect and opportunity for people in the St Cloud area
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INTERFAITH SACRED TEXTS & COMMUNITIES SERIES
EXPLORING
Muslims - Dialogues - Beliefs
SAINT CLOUD, MN
MARCH - APRIL 2003
PURPOSE
The St. Cloud area is growing and becoming more diverse. We are making a rapid transition from a generally white community, to one in which the number of people of color from around the world is increasing. Many of the area's most recent residents are also Muslims, whose faith practices are little known or understood by the majority population. Varieties of faith communities generally co-exist while holding differing beliefs. However, the recent climate in this country has created a situation in which those who practice Islamic faith and culture have been targets of suspicion and of racist, hate-filled acts. This climate is not limited to hostility directed toward the Islamic community; it also extends to other non-Christian groups and communities of color.
*This educational series is planned to provide an opportunity for dialogue to people of the Abrahamic traditions and others who subscribe to diverse beliefs and cultural practices. This, the first of a set of dialogues, focuses on Islamic traditions; future dialogue series will focus on other Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic traditions.
DATES, TOPICS & LOCATIONS
FISCAL AGENT
University Lutheran Church of the Epiphany
FREE & OPEN TO ALL
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EACH SESSION WILL INCLUDE
Invitation to Dialogue
Moderator (Dan McKanan)
Opening Prayer
alternate Christian/Muslim
Presentation by Muslim presenter
(Ahmad Ramadani)
Presentation by Christian presenter
(Noreen Herzfeld)
Presentation by Jewish, Baha'i and other respondents
Questions & Answers and Interchange by participants
Closing comments by each presenter
Islamic chanting
(Norhashimah Erpelding)
followed by silent prayer
Concluding prayer led by a person of a non-Christian or non-Islamic faith
Refreshments and conversation
MEMBERS OF OTHER RELIGIONS LEADING CLOSING PRAYER
Native American (Inaugural Smudging Ceremony), Hindu, Wiccan, Baha'i, World Religionist
HOSPITALITY
Child Care/Activities for children: Interfaith story-telling, crafts, picture-making (Changing Faces Multicultural Day Care Center - Jarrod and Rebecca Hall)
Lights snacks and refreshments served by hosting institution
RSVP dinner (Halal food) on final night 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
prior to final dialogue (Suggested donation: $3 donation per adult or $10 per family) Mark Ochu
LIST OF SPONSORS
UNIITE
Center for Interfaith Encounter
Brothers United
Racial Harmony Initiative
St. John's Episcopal Church
Office of Multicultural Ministry
Diocese of Saint Cloud
School of Theology, SJU
First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud
Pax Christi
Jordan Institute
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