Forging Interfaith Bonds in S. Florida

September 9, 2007

Author: ANA VECIANA-SUAREZ

Source: Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/367/story/229195.html

Whether they're ushering in Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, or the monthlong prayers and fasting of Ramadan or already shifting their thoughts toward the glimmer of Advent, South Florida religious leaders have stepped up efforts to help the faithful look beyond prejudice and discord and cross bridges of reconcilation, acceptance and understanding.

This morning, Altaf Ali, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), will participate in an interfaith service at Fort Lauderdale's Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews (MCCJ) has placed in today's editions of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald copies of John Paul II and the Jews, a pamphlet that recounts the late pope's ecumenical outreach efforts.

Later this month, the coalition will also begin a series of Wednesday interfaith clergy dialogues at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. The first topic: forgiveness.

On Oct. 9, Florida International University's Center for the Study of Spirituality will kick off a series of programs featuring Sufi chanting and whirling, a workshop on Preksha Meditation and a lecture on ''Death, Rebirth and the In-Between'' by Khyimsar Rinpoch, a Tibetan Buddhist master.