Religious leaders: Celebrate diversity

Interfaith programs will continue in the Valley.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- On the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Mahoning Valley's faith leaders say they're more aware of the beautiful diversity of people and their fundamental goodness.
Elsie Dursi, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches, said, "I'm more aware of diversity in the Valley."
Bonnie Deutsch Burdman, the director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, added, "I think we live in a diverse community. And there is beauty in diversity."
Dr. Mustansir Mir, professor of Islamic studies at Youngstown State University, spent part of the summer teaching at a Christian-Islamic conference for professors at Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles. All the students were Christian with the exception of one Muslim who came to only a few sessions.
Mir said that in such settings he can have a heart-to-heart talk with those of other faiths.
"I can't detect any evil in people," said the professor, who finds that, "People are essentially good at heart."
Mir, a native of Pakistan, said he also is continually amazed at the resources in the United States and the freedom to use them. Scholars are free to have and discuss their opinions, and that's not the case in all countries, he added.
Moving on
Immediately after the attacks and on their first anniversary, the Valley's religious leaders took part in a number of interfaith services. Only a few memorial services are planned this year, but that's more by happenstance than design.
"Clearly, no one has forgotten that terrible day two years ago," Burdman said.
But faith leaders say they have turned their attention to more immediate concerns.
Iman Dawud Abdullah of the Youngstown Islamic Center said people are concerned now about the national economy, which soured after the attacks, the local economy, and the flooding that followed record-setting rains.
Abdullah said everyone he knows either suffered some flooding damage or knows someone who did.
Dursi said she's been working with other groups to help provide flood relief. The MVAC, like other faith groups, also has its continuing missions and ministries.
"We're doing what we do," said Dursi.
Maintaining dialogue
Since the attacks, leaders of the various faiths and denominations also took part in a variety of dialogue and educational programs.
Abdullah and Mir, who attends the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown, recently presented an educational program for youths.
The two mosques, noted Abdullah, "have a good working relationship."
The area's faiths are planning more programs, including discussions on religious beliefs and life events such as births, marriages and deaths. Some of those talks will be done privately, so people can explain how their most sacred beliefs directly affect their lives so others can learn, Dursi said.
Burdman added, "We do need to know each other and appreciate each other, and that speaks volumes for us."
wilkinson@vindy.com