We've gathered eight young people, ages 16-19, of different backgrounds and beliefs and asked them over the course of six weeks to volunteer at two local service sites, Together Inc. and the InCommon Community Meals program, and to keep video diaries sharing their experiences.
To help them dig a little deeper in their reflections, we're giving them a couple questions to reflect on each week. And we'd love it if you'd share your thoughts on these questions too by submitting your response to our "Question of the Week."
Learn more about our participants, watch their videos each week, and post your thoughts by clicking on the participant's picture at our website.
We look forward to you being a part of the conversation...
If you're an interfaith junkie like us, get ready to swoon. And even if you aren't, get ready to be blown away by Dr. John Esposito, one of the most respected and widely-known experts on Islam.
We were lucky enough to talk him into joining us on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 7 pm at the Scott Conference Center (6450 Pine Street, Omaha, NE) for a community conversation on Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations in the 21st century.
Dr. Esposito will draw on highlights from his newly published book The Future of Islam to explore the major questions and issues that face Islam in the 21st century and that will deeply affect Christian-Muslim relations: Is Islam compatible with modern notions of democracy, rule of law, gender equality, and human rights? How representative and widespread is Islamic fundamentalism and the threat of global terrorism? Can Muslim minority communities be loyal citizens in America and Europe? He also will examine how the US and Europe appear to Muslims.
This will be a fascinating conversation for the whole community on one of the most timely topics today. Trust us, if you are in or anywhere near Omaha, you are going to want to be a part of this program. Click here to register.
And as if the talk alone isn't reason enough to join us, you can have Dr. Esposito sign your book as we'll have a book signing following his talk. Don't have any of his books? Fear not. The Bookworm Bookstore will be on-hand selling his books.
This program is open to the public but space is limited so register today at http://johnesposito.eventbrite.com/. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 but students with valid student IDs are free.
Watch a video of a recent interview that he and Dalia Mogahed gave to Charlie Rose about their 2008 book Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/9246
This program is jointly presented by Project Interfaith, the Islamic Center of Omaha, the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service, the Fr. Henry W. Casper Professorship in History at Creighton University, and the UNO Islamic Studies Program.
This talk is part of Project Interfaith's 2009-2010 Community Conversations Annual Lecture Series. If you are interested in supporting this series or any other aspect of our work, click here to make a secure donation, give us a shout at (402) 933-4647, or email us at info@projectinterfaithusa.org. Thanks for your interest and support!
Welcome to the blog forProject Interfaith, a dynamic, innovative interfaith organization based in Omaha, Nebraska (no, you're eyes aren't deceiving you — there are Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Bahais, and, of course, plenty of Christians in Omaha). We've only been around since December 2005, but we've wasted no time developing groundbreaking programs, trainings and workshops that promote a deeper understanding of and respect for religious diversity.
What we do... Project Interfaitheducates and engages people on issues of faith, religion, interfaith relations, and religious diversity —and we try not to be too stuffy about it (because life is too short to sit around and yawn) . We recognize that for many people the traditional model of "dialogue" (sitting around in a circle sharing your beliefs) is not comfortable or even appealing. So we try to find creative ways (like interfaith architecture tours, storytelling festivals, study circles, and speakers series) to get people to learn about each other's religious traditions as well as their own. We also provide trainings for educators, health care providers and other professionals on religious diversity issues and how these issues may impact the services they provide and the way in which they provide them.
We want to hear from you! What's going on in your community in terms of interfaith activities and relations? What, in your experience, has worked and what hasn't? What types of interfaith programs, experiences or resources have you found helpful or downright inspirational? We are especially interested in people who live in other Midwestern communities that, like Omaha, are still predominantly Christian but are becoming increasingly religiously diverse (though we welcome feedback from anyone, anywhere!). Let us know how Project Interfaith can be a resource to you and your community...
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