Thank You!
We would like to thank all of you who joined us in our Inauguration Ceremony and made it an excellent event.
Hoosier Times covered the event with a wonderful article by By David Horn. The full text is here: Breaking down barriers. Please visit On The News for more press coverage.
The ceremony started with classical Turkish Music performance by Hakan Toker. Hakan played two beautiful songs with a highly sophisticated instrument called Kanun.
John Bava recited following verses from the Holy Qur'an. [ ] [Verses 83 to 87 of the 6th Chapter]: 83. That was Our argument which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. 84. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) We guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: 85. And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the Righteous: 86. And Ismail and Elisha, and Jonah, and Lot: and to all We gave favor above the nations: 87. (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight Way.
The President of BMDG, emphasized the need for more interaction among the believers of different faiths in his opening speech. He started with a prayer narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) :
“O God, join our hearts, mend our social relationship, guide us to the path of peace, bring us from darkness to light, save us from obscenities, outward or inward, and bless our ears, our eyes, our hearts, our families, our children, and forgive us; You are the Forgiving, the Merciful. And make us grateful for your blessing and make us praise it while accepting it and grant it to us in full.” (Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], Sunan Abu-Davud, book 3, Number 964.)
Each speaker at the inauguration mentioned significant points about enhancing interfaith relations. Here are a few excerpts from the speeches:
"Thank you for being the first to extend your hand of friendship."
Father Dan Atkins,
Pastor of St. Paul's Catholic Center
"I invite and exhort all of you who have gathered here to in turn invite your friends to join the conversation as well. We have as much to learn and much in this world
needs to be changed. When we know someone, when we’ve shared our dreams and listened well we are much less likely ever to turn away again.˜
Rebecca J. Jimenez,
Campus minister for the Center
for University Ministry "I applaud Muslim students and everyone attending today's meeting, because I know from experience that it takes bravery to cross barriers."
Dr. Kevin Jaques,
Professor of Religious Studies and IU
Near Eastern Languages and
Cultures
"The strength of Bloomington’s community comes from the diverse purposes of each of its groups and each of its faith and cultural communities.
Yet, there are common goals of increase understanding and fellowship, and even more to their purpose."
Wolodymyr Joseph Smishkewych,
Departmental Administrative Assistant
Department of Voice
IU School of Music |
