BOONE - The Department of Philosophy and Religion, in cooperation with the Center for Holocaust, Judaic, and Peace Studies, and the Muslim Student Association, are sponsoring an interreligious dialogue this Monday, April 18, at 5pm in Reich College of Education, room 124.
The conversation will feature renowned Muslim Scholar and Imam from New York City, Imam Shamsi Ali, as well as Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts, founder of the Clergy for a Healthy America Inc., and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey D. Vickery, pastor and professor at Western Carolina University.
The dialogue, entitled, "How Can Muslims, Jews, and Christians Get Along? An Inter-Religious Dialogue," will address the opportunities and obstacles between these three religions for cooperation and tolerance. Each speaker will be given time to address this questions pertaining to this issue and then respond to the statements of the others. Following their discussion will be a question and answer period from the audience. The talk will be moderated by Dr. Kevin Schilbrack, Department Chair of the Philosophy and Religion department.
Imam Shamsi Ali is a renowned Muslim Scholar and a well known Imam in New York City. He was an Imam of the city’s largest mosque located on 96th Street and 3rd Ave. He is also Chairman of the Al-Hikmah Mosque in Astoria, and the Director of Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens. Well known in the interfaith community, Imam Ali is a visible face of Islam. He has lectured in churches, synagogues and other institutions both nationally and worldwide. He was among a few religious leaders who had been invited to accompany the then President George W. Bush to visit Ground Zero days after September 11th.
Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts is the founder of Clergy for a Healthy America Inc (CFAHA). Prior to founding CFAHA, Rabbi Roberts was the New York Board of Rabbis’ Associate Executive Vice President, and Director of the Jack D. Weiler Chaplaincy Program. He was responsible for helping revitalize this 130-year-old organization and making it again a vital part of the New York interfaith religious community. Rabbi Roberts was the Coordinator for Jewish Pastoral Care/Staff Chaplain at New York-Presbyterian Hospital: New York Weill Cornell Medical Center for almost a decade. During this time, he became acutely aware of the intersection of health, wellness, and faith.
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey D. Vickery has combined classroom teaching and congregational leadership in his dual roles as a teacher and pastor for the last twelve years. At Western Carolina University, Dr. Vickery teaches introductory and upper level courses in all three Abrahamic faiths -- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- as part of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. As an ordained Baptist pastor, he works alongside his wife, Rev. Tonya E. Vickery, as co-pastors of Cullowhee Baptist Church, a congregation located on the campus of Western Carolina. These two sides of his work and calling, the academy and the church, exemplify well the need for dynamism between understanding and faith.
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