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Christians/Muslims meet and eat ... find common ground
NORTH JACKSON
Naim Rasul has owned and operated a grocery store and gasoline station in North Jackson for 30 years, and even though he is Muslim, he sent his children and grandchildren to the Sunshine Preschool and Childcare at First Federated Church there.
“That’s how well we get along with each other here,” said Rasul during an interfaith potluck dinner Tuesday at First Federated on Mahoning Avenue Extension.
The goal is to bring Muslims and Christians together in a social setting with the goal of getting to know and understand one another, said the Rev. Jack Acri, pastor of First Federated Church.
“There are good and bad among all peoples, including Muslims and Christians, but why can’t good Muslims and good Christians sit down and talk about and celebrate what they have in common?” the Rev. Mr. Acri asked.
Judy Riggs of Lake Milton was among members of First Federated who recently visited Al Khair Mosque in Youngstown.
“I was very surprised at the similarities between us. They, too, are peace-loving prayerful people. It was eye-opening,” Riggs said.
“In this kind of event, we reach out and try to understand Muslims and be friendly neighbors and show them that the whole country does not hate them. They hate ISIS as much as anybody,” said Bonnie Pittman of North Jackson.
Pittman’s daughter, Amy Sudimak of North Jackson, brought her young son to the event to expose him to another tradition and see that it is nothing with which he should be uncomfortable.
Eating and talking at the table with Riggs, Pittman and Sudimak and her son was Dr. Kalid Iqbal of Liberty, a pediatrician.
While Sudimak was being interviewed, her son was deep in conversation with Dr. Iqbal, causing the boy’s mother to smile.
“What’s happening is that people of different religions and ethnicity don’t know each other. Events like this help close the gap somewhat,” Dr. Iqbal said.
“Forty years ago, when I came to the United States, it had a more positive image in the world. My concern also is that internally we are having a division among the population. This has to be minimized, not promoted,” Dr. Iqbal said.
Among the Muslims at the potluck dinner were Lucine Saleh of Canfield, who came here 17 years ago from Lebanon. She said she came to meet new people.
The hope is for better understanding between different cultures, said Venita Collins of Lake Milton, who brought several family members to the dinner. “I think lack of knowledge breeds suspicion and hatred,” she said.
“We need all faith communities to know each other better to remove the mystery and find common ground. It is the only cure. Tonight was, for some, a first-time meeting in a social setting,” Mr. Acri said.
Also in attendance was Randa Shabayek, past president of the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown.