“Coexistence, Dinner and Dialogue”

As valuable as e-communication and social mediaare, when it comes to understanding and appreciation of other views, there is no substitute for the good old-fashioned, face-to-face sit-down.

All the more so when the subject is religion and spirituality.

Happily, around Rochester anyway, college students are among the first to grasp the importance of dialogue. Husain Bawany, 21, a junior biology and religious studies major at St. John Fisher College, organized a recent, highly successful event he dubbed “Coexistence, Dinner and Dialogue” for about 65 students and a few others from Rochester-area colleges. They met Dec. 10 at Fisher, where they shared a meal, shared some of their religious beliefs and experiences, and began to explore ways they can be a part of each other’s lives. They were Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and others.

Bawany, a Muslim and a native of Pakistan, has lived in Brighton since he was a young child. He pulled this event together as part of his work as a fellow with the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence at the University of Rochester.

“There’s a lot of support from the colleges,” he says, “for us to come together and expose ourselves to others’ religious beliefs, eye to eye, with a civil discourse.” In all traditions, Bawany says, “service is a universal.” Pulling together to do something for others, he says, is a powerful way to build a relationship. One of the first things they’ll do, Bawany says, is write cards with greetings of hope to be distributed to refugee children at Mary’s Place, a refugee services center in Rochester.

“I grew up Baptist,” says Eric Williams, 20, a junior accounting major at Fisher with a religious studies minor.

His faith is important to him, Williams says, but he’s very interested in other religious views.

Faith “isn’t about following rules,” he says, “but finding a relationship with God.” He believes there are things he can learn from students from other faith traditions.

Naomi Ahsan, 22, a UR neuroscience major from Brighton and a Muslim, says an Interfaith Leadership Institute that she and Bawany attended last year at Georgetown University in Washington taught them there are protocols (speaking only for yourself, for example, not for all members of your faith) that make the conversation easier. The Coexistence gathering, she says, “is one of many efforts to foster a real dialogue. There is a belief that people do have similarities if you dig deep enough.”

There are many misconceptions and simple questions people have concerning other faiths, Bawany says. And this event gave students a chance to ask, and test. It also was an opportunity for students who have no religious faith or who are skeptical to sharetheir views.

I give these students a lot of credit for being smart enough to know that the conversation is essential not to bridging all religious differences, but to seeing the humanity in others — and discovering that humanity puts us on the road to nonviolent approaches to solving problems. It’s a tough thing — to share deep principles of faith that we accept as true, all the while learning to accept and even search for the truth in others’ views.

“We welcome people coming together,” says Kit Miller, who directs the Gandhi Institute, “because in an odd way, we are so conflict-averse these days that we actually add to the potential for violence by ignoring its causes.”

But to make the most of dialogue, she says, “you have to be willing to be changed.”

Mark Hare’s column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at (585) 258-2351.

Gandhi Fellows Reflect on the Meaning of Nonviolence

“I study theories and abstractions in class. Working with the Gandhi Institute allows me to take that knowledge and use it with a commitment to love and truth in a project that empowers oppressed youth.” – Joseph Gardella (UR Senior)

“As a native Pakistani, I had known quite a bit about Gandhi. But, I only learned about his passion for inter-religious and intercultural understanding after becoming a Gandhi Service Fellow. One of the first gifts I was given when I became part of the Institute was a book called Vows and Observances. After reading it, I was able to see how knowledgeable Gandhi was about other faiths and how he worked to incorporate all religions into his community, the Ashram, making people of all backgrounds feel welcome and respected.” Fatima Bawany (UR Freshman)

“Working with the Gandhi Institute changed my life completely. I became at peace with my inner self. The frustrations that I felt during my first year of college disappeared. I am happier and even much better at my relationships with other people.  I am learning to accept people the way they are without losing who I am. If more people acknowledged the power of nonviolence, we would solve many of the world’s problems such as global peace and security…Before I started working with the Gandhi Institute, I considered people who didn’t like me as “enemies.” However, through nonviolence lessons, I found out that an enemy is the one whose story I don’t yet know. Many people think that nonviolence is a weapon of the weak. I have found out that nonviolence is actually a weapon of the brave and not the weak.” Lendsey Achudi (UR Sophomore)

“Working with the Gandhi Institute has been such a beautiful and worthwhile experience for me. I have always desired to achieve peace in my community, and I feel like I am one step closer to my goal after learning about the many forms of peace initiatives in Rochester. The journey to peace on Earth seems endless, but does not every journey begin with a few small footsteps in the right direction?” Faye Gura (UR Junior)

12th Grader Zobaida Hossain Interviews Kit Miller

Zobaida Hossain is in the 12th grade. As part of a project for a National History Day competition Zobaida interviewed Gandhi Institute director Kit Miller about her views on Mahatma Gandhi.

What is your opinion on Mahatma Gandhi’s method of nonviolence?

I think his method is and remains one of the most extraordinary means for change on both the personal and political levels that has ever been invented.

Why do you think Gandhi’s method of nonviolence was revolutionary?

I believe that Gandhi’s method of nonviolence harnessed the power and potential of human love on a scale that has never been seen, particularly in the political sphere.  In the 20^th century, more than fifty countries would shake off the yoke of colonialism at least in large part influenced by the success of his struggle in India.

Do you believe that his nonviolent method was a stronger tactic in leading India to its Independence?

If by stronger you mean stronger than violence, yes.  I will quote Professor Michael Nagler, considered to be one of the foremost experts on Gandhi in the world today.  Dr. Nagler says: “Satyagraha (nonviolence) struggles are enormously less costly than ordinary military struggles not only to human life, to psychological wellbeing (combat personnel are often deeply traumatized by what they have done in the line of duty)—but also to materials resources as well.”

If you lived in India during the time of Gandhi would you have supported him? Why or why not?

Yes!  I would have loved to have met and supported Gandhi as well as other heroes of that day, like Khan Ghaffan Khan, a Muslim Pathan who was a tremendous proponent of nonviolence.  I would have supported him for the same reasons that I support the spread and integration of nonviolence now, years after his death.  Nonviolence is the human face of sustainability.  In order to care for the current lives on earth as well as future generations, we must begin to harness all of our resources toward peaceful means and ends.

Why do you believe Gandhi was successful in his nonviolent movement towards India’s Independence?

Gandhi was successful in that 1. the British quit India peacefully, leaving behind a nation that it had somehow remained friends with.  No destructive war was waged to free India from over 200 years of colonial rule.  Gandhi was also successful because as mentioned above his example inspired people around the world to end colonialism, often nonviolently.

What do you think the outcome would have been if Gandhi had chosen to use violence? Do you think he would have had a shot at being successful?

No I don’t think he would have been.  Other violent uprisings against the British by Indians had failed and I don’t see how a violent uprising by Gandhi would have been any different.  He succeeded because he touched the deeply spiritual nature of many Indians and indeed people around the world through nonviolence.

The Occupy Wall Street Movement that has currently swept the nation is using nonviolence. Do you believe they will eventually be successful in their fight for change? 

I hope they will be.  I am worried about how life will be for you and your classmates if wealth remains or becomes even more concentrated, especially as we have so many pressing problems to work with that require the minds and creativity of us all, such as global warming.