To encourage interfaith discussions among Capital District religious leaders, the Muslim Community Center in Colonie welcomed Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, along with residents of the Capital District, to an afternoon of lunch and prayer.
“We at the Islamic Center have held a very active interfaith dialogue. In the past, as part of that, Bishop (Howard) Hubbard has visited the Islamic Center. When Bishop Hubbard retired, we extended an invitation to Bishop Scharfenberger,” said Center president Tipu Nazeer.
Members of the Community Center, members of the Catholic and Jewish faiths, as well as community members from around the Capital District attended the event on Friday, Nov. 7.
The afternoon included lunch, a recitation of the Qura’n from students of the Islamic Center, and speeches on the meaning of interfaith alliances within communities from Nazeer, Dr. Saeed Khan, the Center’s spiritual leader Imam Abdul Rahman Yaki, and Scharfenberger.
“We have a very robust interfaith here, and we hold events to promote an interfaith dialogue, not to point out differences, but to celebrate the similarities in our faiths,” Nazeer said.
In his speech, Khan said the Islamic Center community welcomes people as part of a growing family.
“We try to come close to communities that need us, whether Muslim or not,” he said.
Four years ago, Bishop Hubbard attended the grand opening of the Muslim Community Center at 21 Lansing Road North, Colonie. Scharfenberger succeeded Hubbard this year, following Hubbard’s retirement at 75.
“It’s a wonderful event, and I’m happy to be able to do it now,” said Bishop Scharfenberger. “It’s just a wonderful example about how, when people of faith come together with the same common purpose that we wish one another peace, wellness, and goodness in God’s eye.”
