![\"salman\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/cfv\/files\/2017\/01\/Salman-300x300.jpg\")
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by Salman Qureshi<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve always been drawn to conversation. Whether I\u2019m at the dinner table or I\u2019m at a ball game, I\u2019ve always found dialogue as a tool to connect with people. Dialogue allows people with different backgrounds to learn about each other\u2019s differences and find the similarities between them. This inspired me to find a way to bind students together through dialogue. As the CFV Interfaith Intern, I wanted to develop an avenue where people of different faith backgrounds could come together to share their beliefs in a welcoming manner. Most of all, I wanted to share and celebrate the religious diversity that exists at Butler with the entire community.<\/p>\n
Would students be genuinely interested in being involved? Would they find it uncomfortable or uninviting? Maybe they would not even bother in participating with preconceived notions about interfaith? As I started on this journey, I had questions these and other questions that eventually helped shape what the Interfaith Council would become. I connected with fellow CFV staff to develop a program that was built on conversation and togetherness, rather than hierarchy and misconceptions.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, all of my questions were answered quickly by Council members. From the first meeting, I\u2019ve seen the positivity that has come from the group. We have found a large amount of similarities between our respective faith traditions and gained a deeper understanding of our differences. Our conversations are built on a foundation of tolerance and engagement, allowing everyone to connect beliefs to one another to build a strong sense of community. Discussions often carry over long after the meeting is over and push us to dive in deeper in our own faiths. Most importantly, I have seen strong friendships between Council members that will last long after this semester. With that, I know that interfaith dialogue will continue to grow here at Butler and long after.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Salman Qureshi I\u2019ve always been drawn to conversation. Whether I\u2019m at the dinner table or I\u2019m at a ball game, I\u2019ve always found dialogue as a tool to connect with people. Dialogue allows people with different backgrounds to learn about each other\u2019s differences and find the similarities between them. This inspired me to…<\/p>\n