Arizona Interfaith Movement’s 11th annual “Experience Interfaith” promoted spiritual understanding of the many different religions in Arizona through discussion at Heritage Square Thursday.
“Experience Interfaith” provides an opportunity for individuals from various religions across the Valley to talk about their faith, debunk stereotypes and promote tolerance. The event featured representatives from a variety of religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and the different sectors of Christianity.
Booths were set up with information on each faith. Individuals of the different religions were ready to answer questions from the event attendees, armed with pamphlets and patience for questions that ranged from “Who is God?” to “Why do you pray?”
Anne Taylor, the business manager and a board member for Arizona Interfaith Movement, said the event embodies the mission statement of the nonprofit organization. The organization seeks to create a more understanding community through the application of the ‘Golden Rule’ — to treat others with respect and kindness.
“We are trying our best to make a difference in the community for good. When we put a face to a faith we become better understood,” Taylor said. “All of us have misconceptions that we deal with … but as people come together and (have) dialogue, they discover more things they have in common than differences.”
Taylor has worked with Arizona Interfaith Movement for 16 years. She said this year people have showed the most excitement to learn and broadcast their concerns about the current level of violence shown towards people of faith around the world.
“This event is about empathy and engagement. I always learn new things that help me have a better idea about where someone is coming from, to put myself in someone else’s shoes,” Taylor said.
The Sikh community was a bright presence at the event –- literally. Community members wore bright orange shirts that said, “I am a Sikh,” provided a “learn to tie a turban” station and offered a vegetarian dinner in the “Langar” — a Sikh term for the kitchen area.
Crupisder Kaur, a member of the Sikh community, comes every year to the “Experience Interfaith” event to raise awareness about the beliefs of the Sikh community. She said the community is often mistaken for Muslim and that individuals often have misconceptions about what it means to be a Sikh.
“I wish people knew that we stand for peace,” Kaur said. “We need to learn to accept each other for who we are and forget about the hate. The more we accept each other, the less violence (there will be) in the world.”
For dinner, attendees were instructed to take their shoes off and sit on the strips of carpet facing each other. Children of the different faiths prayed before the meal was served, and audience members showed they were moved through head nods, tears and applause. The Sikh community then served Indian cuisine. Attendees were encouraged to introduce themselves to someone they didn’t know.
Michelle Bondra, a member of the Unity of Chandler church, said she was excited to engage in her first “Experience Interfaith” event to educate herself on the different religions found in the Valley.
“It was really touching for me to hear from everyone about their faiths and how much it means to them,” Bondra said. “We need to know that we all speak the same love. Events like these create a ripple effect … Our faith, love, and togetherness grows in the community.”
Contact the reporter at Lia.Juriansz@asu.edu
