Statement of Interfaith Solidarity

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

Download our 2018-2019 poster as a pdf.  11 x 8.5"     17 x 11"

A Statement of Solidarity: Identity Violence

Political Discourse and Civility by John Eby (Editorial in the TH 11-25-18)

We've had 7 great years of conversations and activity, thanks to all our friends in the Dubuque area. This is our #8. Keep our interfaith dialogue active; be part of the conversation.

Who and What We Are:

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?).

 

Who and What We Are - the Video

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.

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- 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

In this, the 500 year anniversary of Martin Luther's 95 theses nailed to the door of Wittenberg Castle church, we will discuss antisemitism in Luther's writings.

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

Our inter-religious group believes in the sacredness of life. Civil discourse and love of humanity are at the core of everything we try to do. In this event, we joined with DACU - Dubuque Area Congregations United (www.dacuonline.org), the Dubuque Coalition for Non-Violence and the Dubuque International Day of Peace in sponsoring this Concert for NonViolence.

As part of the week long International Day of Peace celebration, the Concert for NonViolence is a combination two-hour concert and reflection on nonviolence. The power of music to reach far and wide has fueled countless important movements in recent decades. Now is the time to turn up the music to turn down the hateful rhetoric that has become a hallmark of the gun debate. All invited. Musicians: Kristina Castaneda, Ralph Kluseman, and Linda Niemann. Speaker: Alan Garfield “Nonviolence in the Abrahamic Tradition”.

WI Council of Churches Interfaith Report

Sr. Betty Kugi shares this marvelous resource from the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Their publication is "Loving our Interfaith Neighbors: A Study-Action Guide" which can be downloaded here.

Various Events 2015-2016 (in addition to our Thursday night discussions):

- February 20, 2016. RIVERCROSSING Storytelling and Interfaith Conference at Loras College, sponsored by IFYC, Clarke University, Loras College and the University of Dubuque.

Recent Past Highlights.

- Interfaith Discussion at the Dyersville Library, 9-2-17.

- Peace Rally - From Paris to Chapel Hill: A Neighborly Stand Against Religious Prejudice.
        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.

- C of Abraham article in PC(USA) online in 2015.

Thank you Bonnie Sue Lewis, from Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Children of Abraham Board, and Melody Smith, from Prebyterian News Service, for an online article in PC(USA)'s website: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2015/2/24/people-who-are-seeking-peace

- 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    

Past Topics have included:

- Love and Sex.
- Creation.
- God.
- Abraham.
- Moses.
- Women.
- Conversion and Proselytizing.
- Civil Disobedience.
- Prayer.
- Joseph.
- Scripture Studies.

Past Conversations and Celebrations...2014-2016

Pictures from our 1-31-16 event, Songs of the Soul, at Sinsinawa Mounds on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Fr. Dustin Lyon for organizing this chant and fellowship time.

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Pictures from our 1-28-16 event, Torah Study, at Clarke University.

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Pictures from our 12-1 and 12-3 2015 event. Jerusalem 3D Film at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. 130 people, 2 nights.

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Pictures from our 11-19-15 event. The Purpose of Life Conversation. Temple Beth El. With over 180 people, we're not used to SRO; special thanks to our Saudi students. KCRG news article.

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Pictures from our 10-24-15 event. Festival Hospitality. Tri-State Islamic Center. 10th of Muharram.

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Pictures from our 10-15-15 Conversation. Scripture study of the Qur'an at Wartburg Seminary.

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Pictures from our 9-29-15 event. Festival Hospitality. Sukkot at Temple Beth El with a dinner.

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Pictures from our 9-27-15 event: Needless Victims: Against Gun Violence at UDubuque.

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Pictures from our 4-16-15 event: The Afterlife at Wartburg Seminary.

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Pictures from our 3-9-15 event: Peace March from Loras, Clarke and Wartburg with A Neighborly Stand Against Religious Prejudice at UD.     TH Frontpage News Article

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Pictures from our 11-20-14 event: Noah in the 3 Traditions.

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Pictures from our 11-13-14 event Carrie Newcomer: Singer, Songwriter, Spiritualist.

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Don't forget to visit us at

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.

Our family album (some special events) from 2016-2018

Pictures from our 2-21-19 conversation at the University of Dubuque. Hadley Auditorium was packed with every seat taken and folks sitting on the steps. Presenters were Sr. Toni Harris (Sinsinawa), Prof. Taj Suleyman (Tri-State Islamic Center) and Prof Alan Garfield (Temple Beth El)h. Kate Scheinman was the emcee and led us on this illustrated discussion of how the Arts figure in Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

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Pictures from our 1-31-19 conversation in the Social Hall of St. Anthony's Church. It must have been -31 degrees F out and we considered, seriously considered, cancelling just for safety sake. We didn't. And Rev Charles Layton (St. Luke's Methodist Church), Dr. Tauseff Kahn (Tri-State Islamic Center) and Professor Alan Garfield (Temple Beth El) led us on a thought-provoking journey of 'forgiveness', our topic that night. Over 50 persons came and we stayed until 9:30pm. Some night.

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Pictures from our 11-15-18 conversation in the Ballroom of the Student Center, Loras College. (I remember when it had dividers because we never had more than 30 or 40 show up. Tonight it was well over 150.) Presentations were from Ken Halstead (Lutheran), Tauseef Khan (Muslim from Tri-State Islamic Center), and Alan Garfield (Jewish from Temple Beth El). The topic: Evil.

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Pictures from our 10-18-18 conversation at the Annex of the Multicultural Family Center. Presentations were from Ellie Landau (Temple Beth El), Adib Kassas (Tri-State ISlamic Center), Sr. Christin Tomy (Sinsinawa Sisters) and Julia Theisen (Yoga) The topic: Prayer, Body and Soul.

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Pictures from our 9-27-18 conversation at Temple Beth El. This is always a favorite. We all pitch in to build the Sukkah, decorate it, share a meal in the Social Hall and then proceed upstairs to the Sanctuary for our conversation. The topic "Seeking Truth" was presented by Alan Garfield (Temple Beth El), Sam Giere (Wartburg Theological Seminary) and Adib Kassas (Tri-State Islamic Center). Loads of pics.

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Pictures from our 04-26-18 conversation at Clarke University. This was our last of our 7th year. Hosted by Prof John Eby with Aref Khatib, Keyera Shaw, Alan Garfield, Taj Suleiman and Nathaniel Gee. Each gave a quote and told a story of the work of MLK Jr.

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Pictures from our 3-22-18 event. Violent Passages from our Holy Texts. Hadley Auditorium, University of Dubuque with Dr. Tauseef Kahn, Rev. Lillian Daniel and Prof Alan Garfield. Over 100 persons with no empty seats in the Auditorium.

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Pictures from our 2-22-18 event. Scripture Study: Book of Daniel, Chapter 7. Emmaus Bible College.

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Pictures from our 10-12-17 Sukkot celebration, dinner and Jewish Scripture Study. 5pm - build the Sukkah; 6pm - Sukkot Service; 6:15 - Dinner; 7-8:15 Jewish Scripture Study. Ecclesiastes Chap 1/3: Kate Scheinman, Becca Gottlieb and Alan Garfield in the Jewish tradition, Rev. Stephanie Schlimm in a Christian tradition (Epworth United Methodist Church) and Dr. Tauseef Khan in the Muslim tradition. About 150 people and...no food left. A great time.

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A few pictures from our very successful first conversation of the year on 09-14-17 involving Alan Garfield (Jewish), Adib Kassas (Muslim), Fr. Dustin Lyon (Greek Orthodox) perspectives on the essences of their religions. In addition a bibliography of further reading was distributed. Not many pics; but a great time at Loras College.

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Pictures from our 04-20-17 event at Wartburg Seminary. Hosted by Dean Craig Nessan, Adib Kassas led us in Scripture study of Surah 24 Alnur in the Quran. Ben Brown (Christian) and Alan Garfield (Jewish) led us in reactions to the Surah. Lively discussion.

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Pictures from our 03-23-17 event at the University of Dubuque. Over 150 in Hadley Auditorium as John Eby, Bonnie Sue Lewis, Adib Kassas and Alan Garfield talked about the Impact of 6 years of Interfaith conversations. Definitely not a session to have missed.

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Pictures from our 02-15-17 event at the new Mosque. We had an overflow crowd (over 100 surely) in the Social Hall. Conversation - Life Ethics.

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Pictures from our 10-20-16 event. Festival Hospitality of Sukkot. Dinner. Conversation - Ecology and Faith. Temple Beth El.

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Pictures from our 4-10-16 Festival of Hospitality, Pan-Orthodox Vespers, at Wartburg Seminary with Fr. Peter Andronache, Fr. Fred Shaheen, Fr. Germogen Tucker, Fr. Ignatius Valentine and Fr. Dustin Lyon.

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Pictures from our 2-18-16 conversation, Coming of Age, at the Tri-State Islamic Center on Thursday evening. Thanks to our panelists Tauseef Khan, Sammy Eckrich and Phyllis Garfield.

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Our Friends:

We are very thankful for the encouraging support (financial and enthusiastic) by the following institutions:

- Loras College

- University of Dubuque