On interfaith dialogue

Last Thursday I attended a luncheon of Jews, Christians and Muslims. We came for interfaith dialogue, facilitated by Maryam Quadrat, a Muslim scholar whose family is from Afghanistan. She did a number of lectures last week as part of APU's "Engaging Muslims" series.

First, let me say unapologetically that we each have a responsibility to learn from and listen to those of other faiths, cultures and ethnicities. This is foundational if we are to work for peace in our world. Living in a bubble of those just like us is not the way toward peace and understanding. We must go out of our comfort zone and dialogue with someone different.

Sitting in the Willow Conference room at Providence Hospital last Thursday, I felt alive. We introduced ourselves: Muslims, Jews, Methodists, Lutherans, Christian Scientists. Our common purpose was to listen and hopefully hear each other.

Here are some things I learned:

* Islam is tightly wound with politics and culture. Political and religious leaders are "in" with each other, kind of like the Holy Roman Empire/Catholic church of middle ages Europe. This is problematic, but not a FAULT in Islam. Can you say, "crusades?"

* The Koran does NOT say women must cover their heads. It says they must cover their "ornaments." So it's open for interpretation and many disagree, just like with the Bible. Remember these are men in power doing the interpreting. So, women cover their heads. Some think "ornaments" means hair. A more liberal read on the Koran would suggest "ornaments" merely refers to "breasts." And, yes, those should be covered in public!

* In Afghanistan, only men are allowed in mosques. Period.

* The Taliban are burning 10 schools a month in Afghanistan.

* The way to change? Quadrat suggests EDUCATION, which would "put the Taliban out of business." People need education and scholarship rising up from universities. This is where we can find hope.

When asked at the end, what can we do to help bring about peace, we heard only simple answers. But maybe these are the most important.

Recognize that peoples' most basic needs are the same everywhere. And get beyond misconceptions to actually learn about those from different cultures and religions.

To that, I'd add, "Do it now."