A Powerful Expression of Love for the Supreme

By Manu Shah

Source: IndoAmerican News
 

The tinkling of ghungroos, the haunting notes of Krishna’s flute and the evocative dances by the gopis captivated an almost packed auditorium on 15 March in Pearland.  Presented by GOD – Global Organization for Divinity to celebrate their Namadwaar Prayer House’s fourth anniversary, the dance ballet titled Radhe…Radhe… depicted Radha Rani’s divine love for her Krishna through the medium of the Bharatnatyam form of dance. 

A Concert Celebrating Devotional Music From Houston’s Diverse Faith Communities

Source: Houston Asia Society

 

Houston is a remarkably diverse city — and in no domain of city life is that diversity more apparent than in its faith communities. Many communities in the city have created a sense of home for themselves through membership in churches, mosques, temples and the like. It is not surprising, then, that most of these communities have fostered rich sacred music traditions.

Roads of Arabia Exhibit Opens in Houston

Source: SUSRIS

 

Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), opened a major heritage show at the Museum of Fine arts in Houston on Wednesday (Dec 18) and highlighted the significant role played by Islam in bolstering security and stability in Arabia.“ Islam also enriched the Arab culture and civilization,” the SCTA chief said in his speech at a dinner banquet after the opening, which included several US officials, academics and former Secretary of State James Baker.

Lecture: Peace Building Through Art and Dialogue

Art and dialogue are powerful mediums that can transform hearts and minds, even those of supposed enemies. Creativity for Peace uses art to give young Israeli and Palestinian women a language to communicate their shared fears, pain and begin healing and peace-building.

Interfaith Memorial Service for 9/11

Source: KTRK-TV ABC13

When Will the Dates Be Served?

By Saadia Faruqi
Source: A Hotchpotch Hijabi in Italy

Interfaith Ramadan events are constantly on my mind these days. As interfaith liaison for my mosque I’ve been organizing weekly women’s Iftaars every year for three years, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to talk about some lessons learned on this blog here and here. With two weeks remaining until we bid farewell to another sacred month, it may be time to discuss some stereotypes that I’ve witnessed among our guests and how I’ve tried to dispel some of them.

Friends of Iman Interfaith Iftaar

Source: Episcopal News Service

 

Christ Church Cathedral in Houston hosted an interfaith Iftaar on July 11, presented by the Friends of Iman, a group of young adults who organize education and interfaith activities in memory of Iman Haq, a young Muslim woman who died two years ago at the age of 20. An Iftaar is a traditional Islamic dinner observed during the month of Ramadan, when the community gathers together to break their daylong fast as the sun goes down.

 

Religion as a Bridge of Cooperation

By Nancy Agafitei

In January of 2013, the Barbara Bush Branch Library received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association entitled Bridging Cultures: Muslim Journeys. Termed a “bookshelf” grant, it provides a collection of 25 books, 3 DVDs, and other special resources chosen with a view to familiarizing the American public with Islam and the cultural heritage of Islamic civilizations around the world.

Temple Beth Torah To Receive Community of Respect Award

 

For the fifth consecutive year, Temple Beth Torah (TBT) is receiving an award on March 22 designating the Humble synagogue as a “Community of Respect.” This is an award given annually by the Anti-Defamation League to organizations that strive to share learning in respectful ways. Several activities qualified TBT for this honor. Among the highlights of interfaith activities was the participation by several of temple members in the Kingwood community’s interfaith March of Remembrance, in which second generation Holocaust survivors and temple members Hy Penn and Simon Wellner were keynote speakers.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Services at IID Houston

Source: The Institute of Interfaith Dialog

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog organized an Early Thanksgiving Dinner on November 17, Saturday, 2012. The Institute hosted more than 250 guests from all walks of life including congregation leaders, academics, city officials, neighbors of the Turquoise Center, teachers, students, and members of different faith traditions.

From Seeds of Love, Acceptance and Respect

By Jean Thomas

An Interfaith Thanksgiving Service was held November 15, 2012 at Plymouth United Church of Christ. The program for the evening was “From Seeds of Love, Acceptance, and Respect To a Harvest of Thanksgiving” with clergy and laypeople of the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist faiths participating. Readings were given in original languages followed by a short explanation in English.

Muslims Give Blood to Save Lives

By Shahina Bashir
Source: Examiner

It is said that time is the greatest healer. Perhaps it is the only way that man can survive the reality of tragedies and loss. It is hard to believe that the eleventh anniversary of 9/11 is upon us. Though the pain maybe lessened but the day will forever be etched in our hearts. President Obama today signed a proclamation which designates the eleventh anniversary of 9/11 as Patriot Day and National Day of Remembrance.

Give me a Cradle and I'll Change the World

By Saadia Faruqi

There should be no surprise in this statement: women can change the world. In the home as well as in public life, women bring a unique perspective that makes it inevitably better for all. American first lady Abigail Adams once said: “If we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women.” A few days ago interfaith representatives from a multitude of religious groups got together to discuss the role of women in making a better society, and it was feminism at its best.

Religious Tolerance Through Social Action

By Anna Gonzales

 

Some people like sitting through interfaith symposiums and conferences, hearing debates about theology and comparative religions. Others like small group dialogues with facilitated discussions and a meal. For some though, it's just plain boring! They'd rather talk less and do more. Enter the new form of interfaith communications: social action.

 

Is Religious Freedom Really Just a Dream?

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: Houston Chronicle Spirited Chat

When our founding fathers, driven by religious persecution to a new continent, drafted the constitution, it was obvious they had in mind the religious and civil freedoms of every generation that lived after them. And for a while, as long as the country was unified in religious practice, tolerance was not that difficult to achieve. But with every new wave of immigrants entering the United States, the variety of religious thought and tradition has expanded.