Institute of Islamic Studies presents an interfaith Thanksgiving luncheon at Congregation Beth Chaim in West Windsor on Sunday, December 7. “Guests from many faith traditions are expected to attend,” says Manzoor Hussain, the coordinator of interfaith programs. “This is the eighth year we are hosting an interfaith program and has now become our tradition.”
IIS is building a mosque in West Windsor on Old Trenton Road near the intersection with Princeton-Hightstown Road. The vision of IIS is to be a model American Muslim community that functions in accordance with Islamic teaching and practice by providing religious, social, and educational services. Its goal is to empower community members to be advocates of social justice, models of compassion and tolerance, and exemplars of peace. The new mosque and youth center will foster spirituality, facilitate interfaith dialogue, and develop youth leadership.
Following a welcome by Rabbi Eric Wisnia, there will be a song of welcome and fellowship led by Cantor Stuart Binder, greetings by Sharon Hoffman-Manning, president of Beth Chaim, and by West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh.
Saima Usmani is the master of ceremonies. The event begins with a recitation of the Qur’an and translation. Sajid Syed, the director of outreach programs, will introduce the IIS board of directors. There will be a reading of a poem by Ibrahim Jaaber.
The event features short presentations by faith leaders on the theme “What Does Your Faith Tradition Teach About Compassion?” Speakers include Imam Sohaib Sultan, the coordinator for Muslim life at Princeton University; Rabbi Eric Wisnia of Beth Chaim; and Reverend John Wesley Morrison, senior pastor of Titusville United Methodist Church. Table discussions and luncheon follow. Lunch features a Middle Eastern meal of lamb gyros, falafels, and chicken kebabs.
The keynote speaker is Haroon Ullah, a scholar, diplomat, and field researcher specializing in South Asia and the Middle East. Ullah currently serves on Secretary of State John Kerry’s policy planning staff at the U.S. State Department, where he focuses on public diplomacy and countering violent extremism. Raised in a farming community in Washington state, he received a master’s degree at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Tahir Zafar, the IIS chairperson, presents the community leadership award. Rabbi Eric Wisnia presents a prayer to conclude the event.
