Opinion: Interfaith Groups Provide Opportunity for Increased Understanding

October 1, 2005

Source: The Clarion-Ledger

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051001/FEAT05/510010311/1023

On October 1, 2005 The Clarion-Ledger ran an opinion piece by Sabri Agachan, the Mississippi representative of The Institute of Interfaith Dialog. "With increasing globalization, cultures and religious communities from around the world are in greater contact with each other every day. We are at a critical juncture in history — we have the choice either to remain in our enclosed communities, shunning the outside world, or we can open our hearts to communication... Communication is the first step to breaking down the walls of ignorance and hatred. It is the tool by which we may build bridges, develop solutions and even make into reality a vision for world peace. In Mississippi, one institution focusing on interfaith dialogue is the Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID, visit www.interfaithdialog.org). IID grew out of the need to address the question, 'How can citizens of the world live in peace and harmony?' From this question a conversation took root and began to grow... IID is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by Turkish and American educators and academicians whose primary goal is to help bring communities of different faiths together to promote understanding, cooperation, partnership and community service through dialogue. IID is dedicated to encouraging the study of global communities' spiritual traditions with respect, accuracy and appreciation."

See also: Interfaith