Different faiths, common vision
Religions at war worldwide find peace in local teen group

By SCOTT WILLIAMS

The first time she walked into the Islamic Center of Milwaukee, Rachel Adams was one nervous Jew.

But after a year of studying different religions, the Glendale teenager and other young people of Jewish, Muslim and Christian beliefs are finding tolerance and friendship in a world troubled by hate and violence.

On Sunday, the group will put its cooperative spirit to work delivering Thanksgiving holiday greetings to suburban senior citizens.

Organizers of the Interfaith Youth Forum hope that is only the beginning.

Soon, the teenage participants will reach out to Milwaukee-area residents practicing an even wider range of religions, in a growing movement aimed at breaking down barriers.

Kathy Gale, executive director of the Interfaith Caregiving Network in Waukesha County, said the year-old project gives her hope for peace in such war-torn places as the Middle East.

"Think of everything going on in the world," she said. "But these kids can find a way to come together."

Conceived in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the youth forum is the brainchild of officials at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese. Students ages 13 to 18 were recruited through mosques, synagogues and parishes throughout the area.

The first gathering at the Islamic Center made Adams apprehensive that, as a Jew, she would be greeted with hostility. But after a couple of hours, the Nicolet High School student realized Muslims were friendly and eager to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other issues.

"It was this huge sense of relief: They don't hate me!" she said.

Through additional group discussions and activities, the 30 or more students have grown closer and learned about religious issues that often drive wedges between people of their faiths.

"We've developed such a great respect for each other," said Noor Najeeb, a Muslim who attends Homestead High School in Mequon.

Jonathan Roberts, a Catholic from Whitnall High School in Greenfield, said the exchange has caused him to question why Christians and Jews are fighting Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere.

"They're just like us - they're people," he said. "So why are we fighting?"

Prompted by terrorism

The interfaith exercise evolved from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which were carried out by Islamic extremists.

Mushir Hassan, a leader of the Islamic Society, and Lisa Calderone-Stewart, associate director of youth ministries at the archdiocese, met at a public meeting on terrorism shortly after the attacks. They agreed on the need to encourage religious tolerance and soon began planning the youth forum.

The students will host a public discussion on Mideast violence Dec. 7. And plans are in the works next spring to involve people with Buddhist and other beliefs in painting a mural that celebrates world religions.

"Now more than ever we need interfaith understanding and tolerance," said Calderone-Stewart, who said she was not aware of a similar program involving children of such diverse backgrounds.

Highlights of the project have been compiled in a video, "Sons and Daughters of Abraham," which is for sale at the archdiocese. Muslims, Christians and Jews all trace their roots to the Biblical Abraham.

Hassan said some of the students - like many people after Sept. 11 - initially assumed that people of Islamic faith are prone to violence. That inaccurate stereotype is one of many issues confronted through the youth forum, he said.

"It's helping kids to understand that you've got extremists on all sides but that most religions teach peace and harmony," he said.

As an outreach designed to put their newfound alliance into action, the students are to gather Sunday at Congregation Emanu-El, a synagogue in Waukesha, and then deliver courtesy baskets to about 20 senior citizens in the Waukesha area.

In addition to food and other holiday trimmings, the baskets will include diverse religious symbols and messages of peace.

One recipient, Gladys Brisk of Waukesha, said she had looked forward to witnessing the interfaith movement at work.

"There have been so many problems about religion all over," she said. "The children should learn to get along."