ELLEN SISTI WADE, THOMAS JEFFERSON UNITARIAN CHURCH

October 12, 2021 | 0 COMMENTS | by admin

I am writing in support of The Salaam Network (TSN) for the 2020 Atlantic Renewals Award. As the Promotions and Rental Coordinator of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church (TJ), I’ve seen the growing interest in our community for more education about Islam and its connection and commonalities with the other great religions of the world.

In my duties to manage hosting non-profits at our church venue, I was first introduced to The Salaam Network (TSN) as the leaders of TSN and TJ’s Social Justice Committee met to plan interfaith programs hosted by our church. Amazing activities were created including:

“LGBTQ People in God’s Promise” presented by distinguished scholars from the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.

Subsequent programs included meetings with upper class students from Centre College and their professor on the class topic “Islam and Gender” for a conversation with Dr. Riffat Hassan, founder of Islamic feminist theology and also founder of TSN.

TJ currently hosts a safe space for the teaching of a group of young Muslim women by Dr. Riffat Hassan about Qur’anic teachings relating to their fundamental human rights and a chance for them to discuss their issues openly without fear of reprisal.

TJ and TSN are currently joining in the exploration to add Islam to the 4th UU Source of Inspiration that guides our worship and discourse. It currently invites Jews and Christians to bring cherished teachings from their own traditions into Unitarian Universalist worship and discourse. Islam deserves its place alongside these other great teachings.

I believe in the mission of TSN, to provide free educational opportunities that highlight the common values amongst the three Abrahamic religions, as a way to promote peace, justice, and understanding. They hold a prominent place on our website to demonstrate our unity with their mission. TSN can benefit from paid staff to be able to disseminate their message to the broader community. Despite their current financial limitation, much progress has been made especially by the founder and Director of TSN, Riffat Hassan. TSN deserves to receive more financial support and recognition to continue their outstanding work.

Ellen Sisti Wade, Promotions Chair

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church

January 12, 2020