Podcast: What do Cats Have to do with Interfaith Work?
On understanding belief through experiencing diversity
I am not a good debater. It is not because I do not have my own opinions or beliefs about the things that are happening in the world or the way the world ought to be. Rather, my lack of debating skill... Read More
On reviving the legacy of Islamic religious tolerance and coexistence
Sometimes people take things for granted. Muslims, for example, have been heedless about their historical heritage of religious tolerance and interfaith dialog until they were hit by the backlashes of... Read More
The NCAA’s First Sikh Basketball Player Memorialized at the Smithsonian
Originally Published by Newsweek’s The Daily Beast on 3/1/2014 Darsh Preet Singh fought discrimination to become the first Sikh to play NCAA basketball. Now, he’s waiting for the first tur... Read More
Living into human peace
In a recent application, I was asked to reflect on my thoughts about nonviolence and whether I consider myself a pacifist. This turned out to be a much more difficult question than you might assume,... Read More
We Are All of Us Soft Animals: Ruminations on Compassion
You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. “Wild G... Read More
On Pride Within a Pluralistic Identity
As a Shia Imami Muslim, I belong to a community that is a minority not only within the Ummah, but also within the Shia sect. As a religious education teacher for the Ismaili Tariqah Religious and Educ... Read More
Do You Accept the Seder Orange?
Many artists will tell you: limits foster creativity. Staring at a blank canvas or a blinking cursor on a white screen can be agonizing, but throw some boundaries around your space (mental or otherwis... Read More
On Bringing Sacred Gifts and Our Sacred Selves
Last week’s Torah portion, Vayakhel, opens with Moses’ gathering the entirety of the Jewish people together. After reiterating the singular importance of Shabbat observance, specifically focusing ... Read More
On Catholicism and Universalism
Managing Editor’s note: all Contributing Scholars begin writing by answering the following question as their first post: Why are you committed to building relationships with those from different... Read More