Sounds of Faith

The Sounds of Faith program was inspired by Dr. Shakeela Hassan, Founder of Harran Productions Foundation.

The Sounds of Faith is a unique media and educational outreach project which focuses on the power of sound, rhythm and movement in religious and spiritual contexts. Sound unites people of faith by providing them with a tonal frame of reference which appears every bit as effective in creating and maintaining a religious or spiritual connection as the written text.

Dr. Hassan’s Sounds of Faith has been recognized globally for its interfaith and intercultural commitment to both the understanding and the celebration of human diversity and love of Creator.

Join us as we hear the sounds of faith and worship from the Native American, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim traditions!

This program is brought to you by American Islamic College, The Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at the Lutheran School of Theology, and The Interreligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary. The theme for this Sounds of Faith revolves around seeking peace amidst chaos; how do our respective traditions find strength and unity during a time of contention and disarray.

This event is a live, public event. You are invited to join us online or in-person. All attendees will receive a link. Please indicate in your registration if you will attend in-person, signaling that you agree to AIC’s COVID-19 policy. Please see AIC’s COVID-19 campus policy here.

In-person attendees: Proof of ID and vaccination will be checked by a trained and designated staff member upon entrance to the building. Those without proof of vaccination will be required to show ID and proof of a negative COVID test within 48 hours of the event. Live streaming of the event is available for those who do not wish to provide this information. Please note that these safety measures are to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

Shakeela Zia Hassan is a philanthropist, interfaith event and film producer, and author engaging human rights and values across communities. Her work bridging traditions is informed by a journey spanning Hyderabad to Chicago, and by her training at the University of Chicago, where she retired as Associate Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology and Critical Care. Her care for vulnerable populations has ranged from the 1956 polio epidemic to the COVID-19 crisis.

As a producer and fundraiser, her credits include the documentaries Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet, Ties That Bind, and The Sounds of Faith, Centered at her Harran Productions Foundation, the Sounds of Faith initiative has generated over 20 events from Chicago to New York and Doha, Qatar. Shakeela has served as an advisor to the International Human Rights Law Institute, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Theological Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology, and Lake Institute on Faith and Giving. In Chicago’s near western suburbs, Shakeela and her late husband Zia Hassan, longtime professor and dean of Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology, helped to establish and serve the Islamic Foundation Villa Park and its intercommunity outreach across the distances and diversities.

Rev. Patti Nakai is a Japanese American born in Chicago and has served as a minister at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago since 1995. At the 2013 interfaith Iftar gathering at the American Islamic College, she received an award for her involvement in interfaith activities in the Chicago area, one of the few WOC at that time to be recognized.

Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman has served Emanuel Congregation for the last 27 years. She studied at Syracuse University, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) and Spertus Institute of Religion and has been featured in numerous Cantorial Concerts in the Chicagoland area. She served as Vice President of the Chicago/Milwaukee Association of Cantors. She and her husband Elias are proud parents of Emma and Julia.

Madinah Javed is a future trainee lawyer at the Scottish Government. She was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. She is currently a visiting research fellow in the United States affiliated with both the American Islamic College, and the Bayan Graduate School at the Chicago Theological Seminary. In Scotland, Madinah helps run the Andalus Community Hub and Beacon Institute for Islamic Learning and Research in Glasgow. Madinah is also a Qari’ah – a female reciter of the Qur’an. She has given Qur’an recitations all over the world including at the British Museum and at the Scottish Parliament as a way for more people to hear the female spiritual voice in Islam. Madinah founded the #FemaleReciters campaign to raise awareness of Muslim women’s voices and the sacred tradition of public female Qur’an recitation.

In July of 2004, Rabbi Michael R. Zedek began service as the Senior Rabbi of Emanuel Congregation of Chicago. He became Rabbi Emeritus in July of 2016, and currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Previously, he served for 26 years as the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Kansas City, Missouri, where he also holds the title of Rabbi Emeritus. Ordained in June of 1974, Zedek was chosen to be alumnus-in-residence at the Cincinnati and Los Angeles campuses of Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR). Rabbi Zedek is the youngest person to receive this honor. He is a recipient of the Danforth Graduate Fellowship for outstanding teaching, a Fulbright-Hays Grant for advanced study in the United Kingdom and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. He has also had numerous teaching and speaking appointments around the world on a wide range of topics, especially focusing on spirituality and folklore. He has taught and lectured in South Africa, Russia, China, the former Yugoslavia, Israel and in many other venues.

William Buchholtz (Allison), a long-time resident of the Chicago area, has been playing and recording music of many genres for over 40 years. He now performs Native American flute and piano in programming aimed at both children and adults. An adoptee, he recently confirmed his Native American heritage as a descendant of the Canadian Kichesipirini (Great River) Band,of the Algonquin/Algonkin nation.

Bill is primarily known for his ongoing work with numerous churches; interfaith, social justice and environmental groups; museums; and cultural events including PowWows. For over 20 years, he has been working for the Native American Ministry of Presence of the United Methodist Church, as well as for the St. Kateri Center of the Archdiocese of Chicago, formerly called the Anawim Center.

He has released his own CD “The Journey Home,” on which he plays both Native American flute and piano, and which features his original songs, and has also appeared on a “Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble” CD.

“I currently serve as a Staff Chaplain at the University of Chicago Hospitals (UChicago Medicine) Before coming into that position, I served as the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of the Midwest, a non-profit organization that serves in the interfaith and intrafaith dialogue area. I graduated from the Divinity School at the University of Ankara, Turkey in 2014. After moving to the US, I got my graduate degree from the Catholic Theological Union with a Master’s Degree in General Theology, with a concentration in Inter-religious Dialogue in 2019. Chaplaincy is not only a profession for me. I see it as a great opportunity to draw the wisdom of life. My motto is “being passionately dedicated to touching lives with compassion.” Islam teaches me “finding God through serving others”. I also believe in being shown mercy by the Most Merciful as I show mercy to those on earth as this is too a part of basic teaching of my faith. Chaplaincy is a great profession of extending mercy and serving compassionately. I love books, attending art and cultural activities, outdoor activities; and spending time socializing with people of good heart. I enjoy this better if it is over Turkish tea! I live in Chicago and am known as a wanderer Chicagoan.”

Keith Hampton, affectionately known as “Doc”, is Cantor to the Community at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago Community Chorus (CCC). Dr. Hampton is an organ performer, conductor, composer, educator, church musician, adjudicator, and workshop clinician. He is the president of Dr. KT Productions, Inc., Chicago, Illinois and the Director of Music/Organist at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Classically trained as an organist and conductor, Keith Hampton earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Westminster Choir College, a Master of Arts Degree from Marywood University, and a Doctor of Music Degree in Church Music from Northwestern University. Dr. Hampton has been awarded the Service Playing, Choir Master, and Associate certificates from the American Guild of Organists.

As a published composer, Dr. Hampton’s arrangements of Spirituals and Gospel Songs are available through Augsburg Fortress Press, Choristers Guild, Earthsongs Publications, Hal Leonard Corporation, Hinshaw Music, and Dr. KT Productions, Inc.

Ahmet Ates is an experienced English language teacher for over 16 years. He is a certified Cambridge teacher trainer. He is also an acrylic painting artist. He plays guitar and flute and enjoys singing songs.