Members of St. David’s Episcopal Church and the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Glenview have shared the same street for several years, but their youth had not formally interacted with each other - until recently.

 

In April 2017, students from the church and Glenview’s STEP students met at the Jamatkhana to discuss each community’s faith and how they view the relationship with the Divine.

 

Students from both congregations met for 90 minutes in an effort to better understand their neighboring community. The conversations between the youth touched on the centrality of the Imam, the ethic of service and even how dandia is a form of celebration within the Ismaili community.

 

The St. David’s students later toured the Jamatkhana, including the Prayer Hall. They had a chance to observe the architecture inside the prayer hall and ask questions about what they saw.

 

Students from both congregations learned that many communities have a worldview where faith and practice of faith are central to their way of life. This initiative afforded an opportunity to put into practice objectives of the Faith and Practice of Islamic Traditions STEP curriculum, of better understanding other faiths, and being able to articulate our own. Through the discussions, some students from both congregations realized that they went to the same school, and that some even participated in the same Girls Scouts volunteering activities, illustrating common values. 

 

The event concluded with a discussion between Rev. Susan Sommer and leaders from the Ismaili community about how they can create more dialogue between the two communities.