Inter-Faith Dialog Workshop


Today’s social networks and our society, in general, is much more pluralistic than it ever used to be. Especially in cosmopolitan cities, it is not uncommon to come into contact with a coworker or a neighbor who is a member of a different religion. Religiously mixed marriages are seen as the new norm by many of us. Therefore, it is imperative for those of us who plan to serve in religious circles to be acquainted with the religiously diverse fabric of North America.

To provide basic principles of inter-faith work and empower students with foundational skills to serve in such a religiously diverse social context, Respect Graduate School is launching an online pilot Inter-faith workshop for Muslims who plan to do service in the field of inter-faith dialogue.

This workshop consists of eleven video interviews with prominent inter-faith leaders and academics who have comprehensive knowledge and field experience in the subject of inter-faith dialogue. These videos are also accompanied by a reading titled Inter-faith Principles, which reflects the notes of three national summits that took place among Muslim community leaders who are also prominent in the field of inter-faith work. This document contains many important resources for inter-faith dialogue.

In order to successfully complete the workshop, participants will be asked to complete an online test based on the interviews and submit notes, as well as prepare an inter-faith field project of their own. The field project may consist of an interfaith meeting organized by the participant in his/her local town, or it may even be a field trip made to a local inter-faith community. Participants will also be required to fill out a Project Report Form at the conclusion of their project. Additional ideas regarding the project may be developed during the workshop and discussed with the workshop coordinator, Dr. Ali Yurtsever at [email protected]. Participants of this workshop will be graded on a Pass or Fail basis.

Participants may anticipate the following learning outcomes from this workshop:

  • Understand the elements of their community in terms of demographics and sociological realities.
  • Articulate the differences between contemporary religious practices and beliefs and the underlying historical and contextual conditions that they emerged from.
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of religious foundations pertaining to the necessity of inter-faith dialogue and the unique religious jurisprudence cases that may be faced during inter-faith dialogue initiatives.
  • Create a plan to be incorporated in a local community that will facilitate inter-faith dialogue opportunities.

Registration

Fee: $ 75

To register, please fill form below: