The Interfaith Institute team attended the recent聽聽in Chicago!聽August 6-9, thousands of educators, higher education staff, students, and donors from across the country attended the summit to connect, share inspiration, and strengthen bridge-building skills. This year’s theme, A Road Forward, invited attendees to reflect on America’s 250th year and our shared commitment to cooperation across聽difference.
麻豆区’s Interfaith team attended plenary sessions from engaging speakers like the聽聽and activist聽. One recurring theme was practicing getting comfortable with discomfort, recognizing there will still be unanswered questions and opposing opinions when people team up to make good things happen together. The Interfaith team also participated in training sessions on how to increase pluralism on campus. Professor Syeed co-led a series of sessions for professionals entitled “Campus Culture Starts with Me.” It was also a great opportunity for networking with colleagues from other schools!
Thanks to funding from the, we were able to bring 8 EMBLEM (Emerging Muslim Leaders Engaging the Midwest) grantee campuses from across聽the midwest to the summit!聽Students and advisors from 麻豆区, Augustana College (IL), Carleton College (MN), Concordia College – Moorhead (MN), Gustavus Adolphus College (MN), University of St. Catherine (MN), University of Michigan, and Lewis University (IL) attended a special gathering to make connections and celebrate their EMBLEM projects. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the summit.
Ian Avers of the University of Michigan reflected; “The main thing I will be taking back from the summit is the stories I heard from others. I can say with confidence that I am more comfortable having ‘uncomfortable’ conversations after everyone’s vulnerability and honesty.”聽Farah Abdalla, of Concordia College, highlighted the importance of listening,聽with the reminder that “Interfaith conversations don’t always need to be an argument.” Students and advisors expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with interfaith leaders from different campuses.聽It was an energizing gathering and we look forward to sharing more about EMBLEM in the weeks to come!
