As an interfaith community including Jewish, Christian, and Muslim brothers and sisters as well as other religious and non-religious perspectives, we, Dubuque’s Children of Abraham, stand in solidarity with those who are victims of violence, fear, ignorance, and hatred. We make this commitment at a time when the beliefs and practices of many faithful, civically-minded people are being judged by the terrible actions of a few, and we reject the irrational fear of entire religious traditions because such fear blocks the pursuit of greater purpose. We specifically repudiate those unfounded attitudes toward Islam that some public figures promote; when these figures speak, our community hears echoes of past persecutions against other religious groups, including Jews and Christians. The Children of Abraham is convinced that such fears, and the ideas they advance, often result in unjust actions that, over time, will foster anger, resentment, and further violence. In this conviction, we stand with those individuals and communities affected by prejudice and fear and call for a continued open dialogue to pursue pathways of peace and active non-violence. The Children of Abraham remains convinced that by listening to and learning from one another we all move closer to peaceful and lasting relationships and a civil, democratic society. 12-18-15
Mission Statement: Dubuque’s Children of Abraham creates an atmosphere of civic life that builds inter-religious solidarity, cooperation, and friendship. It does so through regular monthly topical conversations, service, activities, education outreach, and expressions of cross-cultural hospitality in sacred spaces.
Zoom or Facebook - your choice. Join us, keep our interfaith dialogue active and be part of the conversation. If you would like to listen/participate on Zoom, email one of us to get the Zoom link - John (john.eby@loras.edu) or Alan (agarfield@dbq.edu). Or, just view our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/cofabraham on the proper Thursday (see below).
September 17: Anxiety, Fear, and Faith
October 15: Crisis & the Common Good: Civic Virtue
November 12: How faith stumbles: When our religious traditions get it wrong
January 21: Sacred Texts and Prejudice
February 18: Reconciliation and Repair
March 18: Is a Budget a Moral Document?
April 8: Artistic Expressions of Healing and Joy
Book Discussion Group: March 11, March 25 (Thursdays), 7 p.m.
Book Discussion Group: March 11, March 25 (Thursdays), 7 p.m. with Charles Cohen, author of The Abrahamic Religions. You can purchase the book at River Lights Bookstore and receive a 15% discount.(Please email John (john.eby@loras.edu) or Alan (agarfield@dbq.edu) to get the Zoom link.
In addition to our exciting conversations, we organize activities and other events. For example, there is Qur’an Study every Tuesday: 5:30-6:30pm in the Interfaith Prayer Space (Alumni Campus Center 580) at Loras College. You are certainly welcome.
We are an organized group in the Dubuque, Iowa, area that believes in and acts to have meaningful interfaith conversations. We have finished our third year, so...it's time to get serious - website, more activities - that sort of stuff. So, plan to join us for our fourth year, coming up 2014-2015. These conversations are aimed at enhancing understanding of religious traditions in a non-threatening, non-competitive environment. These conversations are not debates but rather dialogues grounded in civility, a willingness to listen to others, and a commitment to learn and reflect with respect. We love round table group discussions, when possible - often with a bit of food (who doesn't?).
10 minute documentary from Spring 2015 by Loras students Lina Rodriguez Araujo and Mareah Adolphs. Thanks to Lina, Mareah and all who participated. Yes, it's 3 years old. But very little has changed except the shrill from Washington. Once again, a great reflection on our community.
- Interview with Adib Kassas in the Telegraph Herald, March 9, 2019
Read the entire interview, click here.
- Video of the 11-15-18 Q&A session, hosted by Stacia McDermott at Loras College. Topic: Evil.- October 26, 2017: Martin Luther and Antisemitism
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1755 Delhi St, Dubuque. 7-8:15pm.
There are three distinct parts to this presentation. First, Professor Craig Nessan, Academic Dean and Professor of Contextual Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, will present his Luther research and his recent publication about Luther and antisemitism. Second, Professor John Eby, Associate Professor of History and Chairperson for Faculty Senate at Loras College will address issues of Medieval antisemitism. Third, Professor Alan Garfield, Professor of Digital Art and Design and Director of the Bisignano Art Gallery at the University of Dubuque, will talk about the rise of antisemitism in America in the 21st century.
- September 24, 2017: Concert for NonViolence at U of Dubuque
Monday, March 9, 2015.
This was a time for the Dubuque community to join together (hence the neighborly) with UD/Loras/Clarke/Wartburg and other students, faculty, and Dubuquers to rally against religious intolerance. Over 200 folks came. Local, regional and national interest.
Why? (Do you really have to ask?) We have been witnessing violence because of intolerance with increased frequency this year. This is not only about the rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, though it is clearly about that, but also about the savage violence done to those of different races and religions. Plain and simple, we’re doing this because this is, in fact, what we at the Children of Abraham stand for. And we feel compelled to stand in solidarity especially with our Jewish and Muslim neighbors at this time.
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- Comedian Azhar Usman, March 5, 2015 at 7pm.
- This was indeed a special event. This Muslim comedian came to Dubuque to do a stand up comedy act at Loras College at 7 pm. Thanks to grants from the City of Dubuque Arts and Culture Commission and Loras College's Kucera Center for Catholic Studies, this event was open and free to the public, and 300 people came - laughed and reflected. Thanks John and Stacia for all your hard work. azhar usman poster 8.5x11.pdf
- Creation.
- God.
- Abraham.
- Moses.
- Women.
- Conversion and Proselytizing.
- Civil Disobedience.
- Prayer.
- Joseph.
- Scripture Studies.
Don't forget to visit us at 
See some of our past events (we do so many, we need a separate page to show them).
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(Conversation starts at 7pm.)
Qur’an Study on Tuesdays. Email Adib, John or Bonnie Sue. 5:30-6:30pm in the Interfaith Prayer Space (Alumni Campus Center 580) at Loras College.
Questions or concerns? Just email us.
- Q: What inspired this series of faith based conversations?
- Dubuque’s Children of Abraham grew out of inter-religious friendships that were simply too rich not to share. John Eby (a Christian professor of History, Loras College), Alan Garfield (a Jewish professor of Digital Art and Design at the University of Dubuque), Adib Kassas (a Muslim psychiatrist at Mercy Hospital), Bonnie Sue Lewis (a Presbyterian Christian professor of Mission at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary), and John Waldmeir (a Catholic professor of Religion at Loras College) decided to organize interfaith conversations so as to broaden the dialogue and learn from others.
Surprise Zoom Meeting congratulating Bonnie Sue Lewis upon her retirement from the Seminary Faculty at the University of Dubuque. It's fun to surprise friends, even remotely. 
Organized by John and Alan, there were 20 folks who participated in Zoom. This picture taken when 14 were active after 40 minutes. 
We are very thankful for the encouraging support (financial and enthusiastic) by the following institutions:
- Loras College
- University of Dubuque