USA: Forsaking Football for 'God and Science'

Physician Khalil Malik of Lansdale, Pa., said "God provides for our physical and spiritual needs.  I celebrate that.  We are friends.  We are in this together.  Our collective wellness depends on us caring for each other."

Photo Credit Elizabeth Vittori / Fairfax Station Patch

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Fairfax Station Patch
By Elizabeth Vittori | January 16, 201

Interfaith event at Clifton Presbyterian Church attracts a crowd on a wintry weekend.

While many in the region prepared for Saturday's NFL playoff games, about 75 local residents gathered for an interfaith discussion, "God and Science," at Clifton Presbyterian Church (CPC).  The event, organized by Muslims for Peace and CPC, began with a potluck lunch that was followed by a reading from the Quran and speaker presentations.  Representatives from Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam discussed scriptures and how each faith considers those within a scientific context.

"There is no secret that Islam is facing difficult times... not only from the outside, but also from the inside," said Jalal Malik, outreach director for the Ahmadiyyaa Muslim Community who served as panel moderator.  A native of Burke, Malik organized the event in cooperation with Jennifer Dunfee of CPC, associate pastor for Youth and Families.


"Academically, the purpose of our meeting...is to answer the question of the validity or compatibility of the belief in God in light of modern science and modern scientific discoveries and advances," said Malik, an officer in the National Guard who serves as the US Africom Desk Officer for the National Guard, where he also serves as the command expert on Islam and can provide assistance to Muslim soldiers if called upon. He also serves as a member of the Fairfax Interfaith Clergy Council.

"But a broader reason for us to come together," Malik said, "is to promote interfaith discussions and establish and maintain relationships amongst our religious communities."

Other speakers at the evening event included:

    * Nanik Lahori, a founding member of United Hindu Jain Temples, a director of Interfaith Conference of Washington, D.C.
    * Joel Wasserman, immediate past president of Temple Beth Torah in Centreville
    * Paul Arveson of CPC
    * Khalil Malik, MD, a member of the national governing body of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who spoke on Islam.

"It was a very meaningful event," Wasserman said. "Even though there were four very different religions represented, I left with the feeling we share many more similarities than differences and that brings great hope for the future."

Author Sherri Shuffenthal, who was in attendance, is a member of Congregation Adat Reyim in Springfield and author of two books on the women of the Old Testament, and a member of several interfaith groups.  "I love the idea of talking about God and science," she said. "In our country, we put so much faith in science and religion, but tend to keep the two separate.  It tends to be linear. It's important to put it together. This is a good place to start."

Dunfee said she thinks it's important to consider similarities, not just differences among people of faith, especially in light of recent acts of violence.  In preparing to host the event, she and fellow CPC members learned a good deal about other faiths, particularly with regard to event scheduling, dietary needs and seating requirements.

CPC volunteers provided child care during the event  and this provided her children an opportunity to "enjoy an interfaith play date."

Among her goals for the afternoon was to learn more about other religions' views of the attributes of God and holy scripture.  She said she hoped to meet her neighbors and learn in a respectful and loving way.  "I think we did that here today," she said.

Physician Khalil Malik of Lansdale, Pa., said "God provides for our physical and spiritual needs.  I celebrate that.  We are friends.  We are in this together.  Our collective wellness depends on us caring for each other."

Paul Arveson said he hoped the event would encourage participants to continue "to study hard, work hard and grow in faith and knowledge.  Today, we've considered God, science and nature. We've covered everything.  What else is there?"  to which Malik quipped: "Football!"

Joking aside, Malik said he was grateful to Dunfee and CPC volunteers for their enthusiastic support and hard work, remarking "I love the community.  I love the church."  After experiencing such a positive meeting, Malik said he would look forward to other faith-based partnerships in the future.  




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