Lessons from the Road: Reimagining an Intentional, Beloved Interfaith Community

A video and discussion event was sponsored by American Islamic College, The Interreligious Institute of Chicago Theological Seminary, The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, and A Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement on Thursday, October 1st.

The first video led to a discussion on how to be an ally. Dr. Najeeba Syeed stated that allyship should exists in a state of intention. She emphasized the role of being an ally being founded upon inward act before it becomes an outward task. So, one who wishes to be an ally for justice, must first begin with themselves. One must be aware of the person, the identity, community, culture, and so forth that a person relates to. One should do the work on oneself and the people you are in community with, before entering a new space and or hoping to do just and righteous work. Furthermore, Syeed reminds the audience that in doing allyship work, the individual should reflect upon their temperament and know when their role may cause harm. Aseelah Rashid, in agreement with Syeed’s response, added, “how far are you willing to go?” Self-assessment is crucial, but Rashid reminds us that a person must be aware of the values they carry and whether their allyship work is picky and not intentional. In addition, Rashid makes a necessary note of introspection and being tangible with their actions when entering a community. Both Syeed and Rashid gave participants direction and guidance on how to be an impactful ally. Overall, the task should not simply be a means of reward, but to know the intention and impact of entering a space one seeks to help. There is no room for saviour complexes; instead, there are clear notions of moving an issue towards resolution, and or learning from the people experiencing oppression and harm.

The second video sparked discussion on what it has meant for both Rashid and Syeed to be Muslim in America. Rashid shared that there have been experiences in which her identity as an African American Muslim has felt invalidated, or not seen/affirmed when growing up. Both Rashid and Syeed recounted stories related to elevated levels of Islamophobia in the aftermath of 9/11. Rashid feels a form of responsibility and burden to educate others in addressing the misconceptions of Islam and Muslims. Syeed, who wears the hijab, discussed the dangerous risk she felt in continuing to observe her faith by wearing the hijab. Syeed asked for others to not use her resilience to oppress her. More, do not use the experiences of those who have endured racism, discrimination, and misogyny to solely empower and use it as a means/opportunity to be amazed. Simply because by doing that, one is confining and placing exceptionality on another person when it should be understood as an unwarranted thing to do. Each story of being Muslim in the States is unique, personal, and should be acknowledged by people who wish to do work as an ally or within interfaith.

The last video focused particularly upon interfaith and religious imagination. Rashid expressed how dearly they wish for engagement between the people of the respective faiths. So often, there is a Rabbi, Priest, and Imam conversation held, but so little discussion or work is centered with the people of each respective faith. The dialogue and people power can be just, if not more rewarding than simply having devoted leaders of the religious group meeting with one another. Furthermore, Rashid adds that safe spaces are important, but often they remain frozen in the work. If it were possible for safe spaces to become brave spaces, then action for resolution may come into translation. Syeed made listeners think of three ideas within interfaith work, 1) Am I sacred? 2) Am I human to you? 3) Am I in your future? Are we speaking to the moment, or is discrimination existing in hope for total erasure? Am I human to you, speaks to whether the work regardless of faith and belief, is grounded in caring for the whole person? If it is not, then perhaps your help is not needed. The last question addresses dominant social groups and what it means to imagine a world that is kind, honest, and dedicated to revolutionary social justice change. Is the work of interfaith only being done in a time of crisis, or is it also being done in a time of peace?

Aseelah Rashid and Najeeba Syeed gave their vulnerability, and authentic selves to this webinar; may all who view it be granted space for critical and intentional action as a result.

I would like to end this summary response by deeply thanking my supervisor at American Islamic College, Romana Manzoor for allowing me to write and reflect upon the webinar. I want to sincerely thank both Aseelah Rashid and Najeeba Syeed for being social agents for good, and for inspiring people in their respective communities and within interfaith spaces.

Wardah Muhammad
Intern, Fall 2020

How to prepare

• Start with a stated intention (in concert with those for whom you are hoping to become an ally)
• Research the issue and context
• Be sure your contribution will be useful
• Know your own competency and ask what new skills you might bring
• Consider how deeply you are willing to become engaged as an ally
• Examine ways your own religious tradition may dehumanize others

Ways to help

• Get to know other communities in a time of peace so you will be prepared to work together in a crisis
• Prepare to work among your own community, especially among the uninformed
• Find a point of connection with people who may be hostile to the cause
• Help create person-to-person encounters
• Make space for hard conversations, i.e., “moving from safe spaces to brave spaces
• Find ways to engage young people
• Join with other faith communities for collective action

Pitfalls to avoid

• Failing to stay engaged for the long term, i.e., “keep showing up”
• Not understanding when and how your involvement might do more harm than good
• Failing to have clarity on scope and goals
• Focusing your efforts only on progressive religious communities; meet people where they are
• Failing to monitor our speech about others when we are in our own “closed spaces”

Questions to ponder with religious others

• Who is human?
• What is sacred?
• Am I in your future (or do you wish my group erased)?
• Where do we find hardship and hope?

Dr. Carol Schersten LaHurd
A Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice
Lutheran School of Theology