A student panel discussion hosted by the One Kind Act a Day initiative took place at the University of Utah’s Impact Prosperity Epicenter Building on March 25, aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue among students from various religious backgrounds.
The event featured voices from different faith traditions, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding, despite inherent differences.
Charlie Freedman, the executive director of University Interfaith Initiatives at the Center for Business, Health and Prosperity, highlighted the significance of such discussions.
“It’s very important for students to share characteristics that are important to them, and for a lot of students that’s faith,” Freedman remarked.
He noted that universities benefit from students engaging in conversations about the elements that shape their identities.
Central to the panel’s purpose was the guiding question: “How do we treat each other with respect while understanding and accepting that those differences exist?”
Dahlia, a public health student with a Jewish background, was among the panelists.
She shared her thoughts on embracing diverse perspectives in response to the discussion prompt.
“It’s really easy to see the world in black and white, and it can feel really comforting to have that solid structure to view yourself in the world,” Dahlia stated.
She emphasized the beauty in recognizing that other viewpoints are valid and highlighted the importance of engaging with individuals outside of one’s own faith.
Jan Saeed, the One Kind Act a Day initiative representative focusing on interfaith and higher education, moderated the event, laying the groundwork for constructive faith-based discussions.
Saeed introduced guidelines aimed at fostering a respectful dialogue, such as “actively listen for new perspectives” and “strive to not be offended or offend.”
Movement toward maintaining a peaceful and progressive discussion was reinforced through brochures distributed to the audience, which included these guidelines.
“Over the years, I’ve been involved with the University of Westminster College where we’ve worked with Interface Youth Corps to come up with guidelines for sharing,” Saeed explained.
He mentioned that these guidelines, formulated by students, faculty, and staff, have been adapted to create a culture of kindness and openness in recent years.
A key message from the panel was the role of students in supporting interfaith initiatives.
The importance of approaching these conversations casually but curiously was stressed by several panelists.
Dahlia urged participants to build comfort in discussing faith with those around campus.
“It’s easy to have those surface level conversations, especially with people you just met, but try to push yourself just to have those small interactions and be more comfortable talking in a more informal way,” she advised.
Saeed acknowledged that while discussions around faith and politics might feel taboo, they remain vital topics.
“Faith and politics are two things you’re just never supposed to bring up at the dinner table, but I think both of those are things on our conversations all the time,” he contended.
The panel discussion ultimately served as a reminder of the importance of interfaith dialogue in fostering broader understanding and respect among students.
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