Abrahamic religions panel aims to dispel misconceptions
By Pragya Pradhan, May 2009
Lynx Editor
Representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths sought to establish a bridge among their religions at the Abrahamic Religions Panel event held on April 10 at the KSC Student Union.
Michelle Marion, PVCC sociology faculty and director for the Center of International Education, organized the panel as part of the world view series hosted by the Arizona Interfaith Movement.
“You can’t understand culture without understanding religion,” said Marion about the theme of the event.
Trying to expand students’ world view is a key part of holding such events, which is why she organized a panel on Eastern religions in November 2008.
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Photo by Pragya Pradhan
Dilara Hafiz represented the Muslim religion on PVCC's Abrahamic Religions Panel, April 1. |
This year’s panel of four speakers, David Engelman for Judaism, Jerry Burback for Christianity (Roman Catholic); Dilara Hafiz for Islam and Eldred Spain for Christianity (Protestant), highlighted the fundamentals of their religions.
The speakers noted that although their religions differed on many issues, they had a common history and believed in one God. They agreed on how the “love for power” rather than the “power of love” had overlapped the spirituality in their religions leading to many religious misconceptions over the years.
Hafiz answered the many questions on Islamic fundamentalists and condemned their actions as un-Islamic because Islam preaches mercy and compassion.
“Dialogue and education are essential to dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions,” said Hafiz about the importance of the Abrahamic Religious Panel.
Spain, who is also president of the Arizona Interfaith Movement, said that it is vital that students learn about other cultures and religions because, he said, “Misunderstandings always result in misdeeds.”
Marion said that besides building an understanding of religions, 30 students would get a chance to experience a culture and its religion on Friday, April 17 when she will take them to attend prayers at a mosque.
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