Popular Islam, Sufi spirituality and interfaith relations speaker Jamal Rahman will present a lecture titled “Dialogue, Practices & Laughter in Challenging Times” on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Ashland University’s Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium.
In these times of anger, fear and separation, Rahman will talk about the six stages of Interfaith dialogue to help people move beyond polarization, share practices to open the heart and use humor to convey inconvenient truths about ourselves.
He will be joined by area faith leaders including retired Rabbi Michael A. Oppenheimer (Cleveland) and Rev. Joe L. Ashby of Grace Episcopal Church (Mansfield).
The lecture is an event in the Ashland University College of Arts and Sciences’ biennial Symposium Against Indifference. The theme for this year’s series is “Building Bridges Through Dialogue.” Rahman’s visit is co-sponsored by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, which also has arranged for him to lead a workshop titled “Inviting the Stranger” on Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the Eagles’ Landing at the Student Center. Both events are free and open to the public.
Rahman’s passion lies in interfaith community building. He remains rooted in his Islamic tradition and cultivates a “spaciousness” by being open to the beauty and wisdom of other faiths. By authentically and appreciatively understanding other paths, Rahman feels that he becomes a better Muslim. This spaciousness is not about conversion but about completion.
Along with his Interfaith Amigos (Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Don Mackenzie), Rahman has been featured in the New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs. Rahman is co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He is a former co-host of Interfaith Talk Radio and travels nationally and internationally, presenting at retreats and workshops.
