Building Bridges by Deanna Othman
As the American Muslim community matures, and we begin to focus not only on our internal affairs as a community, but on finding our place in society, we often talk about building bridges between members of our faith and those of other communities. Interfaith dialogue is not something new to the Muslim community—many have been actively engaged in such dialogue for more than 10 years. Though we have focused much on education and dispelling stereotypes regarding our faith, and granted this is still needed, for those relationships we have already forged, those bridges we have already built, it is time for us to utilize those bridges. After all, what purpose does a bridge serve if it is never crossed?
We must evaluate our relationships with the community at large. As a mosque, we have developed connections with various churches, social and civic groups. As individuals, we may have formed our own personal bridges with neighbors, coworkers, or fellow students. Perhaps we are on friendly terms with these colleagues, congratulating  them on accomplishments, inquiring after them when they are ill. But are we afraid to bring up issues that might shake the foundations of the bridge we have built between us? Do we fail to use that bridge to take us from one point in our relationship to the next? When the recent atrocities in Gaza unfolded, did we dare discuss them with others, or were we afraid if we did so, the bridges between us risked collapsing?
I think of this because as the moderator of the Interfaith Club at Universal, I have often debated how to approach this particular issue with our students. Although we had been meeting monthly with students and teachers from local Catholic and Jewish schools for years, Palestine has always been a delicate issue to discuss, to say the least. The topic did come up inadvertently, and indirectly, from time to time, but we did not directly address it. When the Gaza massacres occurred, we decided we had evaded the issue for long enough.
As the advisors from the other schools and I discussed how to best frame our meeting, I worried about what we should say, and whether the students would be able to discuss the issue logically without being overcome by emotion. We resolved to take a step over that bridge we had assembled, and hoped we would cross it with our relationships unscathed. By approaching our concerns from a position of mutual respect and consideration, we were able to traverse that bridge successfully, with greater understanding and empathy for one another.
As members of the American Muslim community, we must not be afraid to seek support from those who have stood with us during our times of trial. We must endeavor to assist and defend others, as we cannot hope to seek support from others if we do not reciprocate. By taking advantage of the bridges we have built, we will in turn fortify their foundations. |