Background : Earlier this year when we heard about the
visit of Pope Francis we extended an invite for him to formally
launch the interfaith institute at ICLI which he was
unable to accommodate. Subsequently we received several
requests asking us to 'nominate' Muslims for the prayer
session at WTC, which we did. From the ICLI nominees, Br
Habeeb Ahmed and I were invited.
Impressions : It was indeed a unique gathering with representatives
from ALL faiths both on the podium and the audience
which was about three to four hundred--a colorful
gathering indeed.
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Imam Khalid Latif presented reflections from Torah and Quran followed by Meditation on Peace
read in sacred tongue and English from Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian and Muslim tradition-- read by Dr. Sarah Sayeed
(an ICLI alumni) and Imam Khalid Latif. This was followed by a presentation by Pope Francis who reflected on the tragedy
of 9/11 its meaning and impact--a moving presentation.
Overall I felt the Muslim's were received with love and appreciation, some other Muslim invitees were from national organizations--ISNA/ICNA/APPNA/WISE,
Majlis Shura of NYC was well represented.
I was pleasantly surprised to find special arrangements had been made for Friday prayers in a church near the WTC. Br
Habeeb and I participated in that.
Pope Francis Message from the program brochure: " Dialogue is born from an aƫtude of respect for the other person,
from a convicƟon that the other person has something good to say. It assumes that there is room in the heart for the person's
point of view, opinion, and proposal. To dialogue entails a cordial reception, not a prior condemnation. In order to
dialogue, it is necessary to know how to lower the defenses,
open the doors of the house, and offer human warmth."
Below is a link for an article Imam Khalid wrote about his
experience at the prayer service and attached is copy of the
invitation ticket and a picture which pretty much summarizes
the outcome of this unique get together.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/26/opinions/latif-popefrancis/index.html
This event attracted a large gathering, received extensive TV and print media coverage in Newsday, Long Island Press and Islamic Horizon magazine.
Earlier this year when we heard about the visit of Pope Francis we extended an invite for him to formally launch the interfaith institute at ICLI which he was unable to accommodate.
The presentation was very well received. We were able to share a short video from the Oct 25th launch of the interfaith institute of ICLI
See full story
When some countries began to ban the hijab of Muslim women and attack the Islamic dress code, Dr Larycia Hawkin, a Christian and former associate professor...
John Andrew Morrow speaks during interfaith event at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury on Sunday 25, 2015. (Credit : Steven Sunshine)
See full story
Dr. Farooque Ahmed Khan is shown in front of the triple arches that lead into the newly constructed building that will house the Islamic Center of Long Island...
See full story