Haydenville, MA Congregational Church Hosts Series on Islam, Combating Anti-Muslim Bias
"In December, several groups within the church were spontaneously discussing the growing Islamophobia and what can be done about it,” said Rev. Andrea Ayvazian, pastor of the church. "We decided to pull a program together that would be both educational and a call to action.”
The series "Understanding Islam and Combating Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Violence” will begin from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The first event will feature the film, "Muhammad [PBUH]: Legacy of A Prophet” to be followed by a discussion.
Ayvazian said the workshops will end with an exploration of ways Christians can be allies with Muslims and work to combat anti-Muslim rhetoric.
The rest of the series will be held at the church at 143 Main St. in Haydenville.
• Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m., "Who is my Neighbor” will feature a conversation with Imam Rasul Faheem Seifullah, a Vietnam veteran and resident imam at the Al-Baqi Islamic Center for Human Excellence in Springfield, and Dawn Orluske, a member of the church’s congregation and a divinity school student. This is a soup and salad supper sponsored by the HCC Peace and Justice Committee.
• March 8, 7 p.m., "The Abrahamic Traditions,” a panel discussion with representatives of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.
• April 10, 10 a.m., a special worship service with a reading from the Koran and guest preacher Mohammad Ali Hazratji, a neurologist, former president of the Islamic Center of Western Massachusetts and Hampshire Mosque, and active with Islam and interfaith activities in the Pioneer Valley.
• May 14, 10 a.m. to noon, "The Roots and Nature of Islamophobia,” a discussion led by Karen Pfeifer, professor emerita of economics at Smith College, whose focus is economic development and social change in the Middle East.
• June 4, 10 a.m. to noon, "Being Allies: Combatting Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Violence — What can be Done?” is a program open to the public.
Source: Gazette Net
