Shepherd University is hosting an evening of interfaith dialogue on Thursday, Mar. 23, from 7-9:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. The event, titled “Why it Matters and Implications for Building Resilient Communities,” will include reflections from a panel of speakers representing three religious faiths followed by small group discussions and a plenary session that will focus on how to move forward. The event is free and open to the public.

Panelists include Rev. Joel Rainey, senior pastor at Covenant Baptist Church; Rabbi Ari Plost from the Congregation B’Nai Abraham in Hagerstown, Maryland; Imam Faruq Post from the Islamic Society of Western Maryland in Hagerstown, Maryland; and Dr. Tariq Husain, a retired senior manager from the World Bank and a global activist for justice and peace building.

The goal of the event is to foster interfaith dialogue and a deeper understanding of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and to identify some of the main barriers to and benefits of greater acceptance and tolerance of religious diversity. Organizers also hope to encourage participation in local and global community initiatives that address these barriers and enhance the quality of our communities.

The event is co-sponsored by Shepherd University/ Student Activities Program; Ezekiel’s Place (Justice and Peace Academy); Hagerstown Area Religious Council; Interfaith Coalition of Washington County, Maryland; Covenant Baptist Church; Camp Hill United Methodist Church; Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church; Jefferson County Chapter of the NAACP; and the Shepherdstown Ministerial Association.

For more information, please Richard Anson at ranson@ezekielsplace.org.