This article was written Mohamed-Umer Esmail, the Imam of Nueces Mosque,

who has been active in interfaith work since 2002.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “All of creation is the family of God and the most beloved to God are those who are most beneficial to his family.” This is the statement that came to my heart when I first attended iACT’s annual interfaith Thanksgiving event in 2002 and the event left such an indelible impact on me that I attended this event every year since then, save one or two that I missed due to other commitments. As the Imam of Nueces Mosque and Islamic scholar, I believe that iACT’s annual interfaith Thanksgiving service is the best depiction of this profound statement of the prophet of Islam, where every year on the Sunday prior to thanksgiving weekend, members of the family of God from various races, color, and ethnicities come together to represent their faiths as a similar diverse crowd watches on and is able to learn about the other.

iACT- the Interfaith Action of Central Texas – is hosting its 33rd Thanksgiving Interfaith Service this year on Sunday, November 19 at 3 p.m. at the Riverbend Church and it will be primarily sponsored by the Muslim community of Austin. This interfaith Thanksgiving event is all about different faiths coming together on one platform to talk about or demonstrate how their respective faiths give thanks. It is a reminder of the diversity of our world and an opportunity to learn about other faiths and people. This event in the past has had everything from Hindu dances to Muslim Qawwali songs, from Buddhist scriptural readings to Sufi dances, from Jewish chants to Quranic recitations, from Christian choirs to liturgies and speeches from members of every religion, and the calls to prayer of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Dignitaries attending this event in the past include the Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, Art Acevedo, former APD Chief, and many religious leaders of Austin. The Mayor of Austin Steve Adler is expected to attend this year.

Along with food for the soul, the event ends with a buffet-style variety of refreshments, food and drinks also rich in cultural diversity, which gives an opportunity for people to chit-chat and acquaint with one another. As Gautama the Buddha is quoted to have said, “The whole secret of existence is to have no fear.” This gives an opportunity for people to get to know the other in their midst and let go of some of the fear they have based on stereotypes perpetuated by fringe elements of our society. Along the same lines as M.L.K. who said, “We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,” I want people to know that Muslims and immigrants are not to be feared, rather that we are in this together and only together can we fulfill the visions of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

All religions preach peace and kindness to neighbors and those in need. iACT as an organization embodies the very values all religions teach. From providing aid to those in need to teaching English to recent immigrants, from repairing houses to being a refuge for those fleeing persecution, from hosting Red Bench interfaith conversations; conversations that matter to visiting places of worship as part of the Passport program, from inspiring young teens to lead and teaching them public speaking to protecting the environment, iACT is there at the vanguard quietly and sincerely doing its work.

Interfaith work is not about giving up one’s religion and beliefs, nor is it about converting the other, rather it is a way to understand the other better and allay any misunderstandings or fear. It is a means to educate oneself and create respect for the other. As the family of God living together on this beautiful earth, it is our responsibility to give back and as someone who has been active in interfaith work since 2002, I can attest that this event is the best demonstration of how we can create love, harmony, and respect among humanity.

As salam alaikum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh

Wa alaikum as salam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh