When I trained as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital a year ago, I had the great fortune of having a Muslim colleague. Learning from Tamim and forming a friendship with him was actually one of the highlights of my internship.
I had never had the opportunity to really get to know anyone of the Islamic faith, and now I was working beside Tamim day after day as we cared for patients, debriefed our interactions, and shared our own life experiences.
Two weeks ago, my husband and I were guests of Tamim at a dinner sponsored by the Islamic Resource Group. It’s an annual event called the “Building Bridges Awards Banquet,” recognizing those who have fostered relationships with people of other faiths to build an understanding of commonalities and an appreciation of differences. In other words, it recognizes “bridge builders.”
The crowd was a wonderfully diverse group of people – Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, women and men, young and old, from across the political spectrum.
One of the guest speakers was Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, who spoke not only about the importance of building bridges but of the characteristics needed for those willing to do the work. Below are his comments (paraphrased).
Bridge-building is not for the weak or faint of heart. It will take persistence. It will be scary at times. It will be uncertain. And you will have to summon all the strength and courage you can. Because it’s not only the people on the other side who will question your motives or your judgement; people on your own side will question you, too.
A lot of bridges need to be built in the world we live in! We’ve got to make sure that wherever there is conflict, we are reaching our hands across that chasm, across that divide. And remember: Just because you can’t do everything doesn’t mean you can’t do something.
Muslims can’t be the only ones fighting Islamophobia. Jews can’t be the only ones fighting anti-Semitism. And Christians can’t be the only ones standing up for people who believe in Jesus. We all have to stand up for all.
If we are willing and courageous enough to reach across the chasm and build relationships with those who are different than us, our lives will be all the richer for it. Our fear of the other will be replaced by an appreciation for our differences. We will come to a greater understanding of our shared humanity: we are all beloved of children of God.
God of all, help us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.