Religious Leaders Host Panel On Diverse Beliefs

Members of different faiths took part in a panel discussion on religious diversity this week at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) campus in Ashland. They gathered to educate people about different religious beliefs. The discussion was part of a week of events on diversity at WITC.

Les Alldritt, the academic dean of Northland College, is a Buddhist. Alldritt said it’s important to hold discussions about religion and embrace other beliefs.

“Diversity means that you will have diverse opinions and diverse understanding and diverse practices,” he said. “So how do we negotiate that so that we can live together and feel free to practice our diverse beliefs?”

Ibrahim Al-Qudah, president of the Islamic Center of the Twin Ports, said the Muslim community is scared right now. He added that Muslim Americans feel like there is a wall between them and other Americans who don’t understand their faith. Al-Qudah believes all religions are peaceful and carry the same message.

“For instance when you hear the word ‘Islam’ and then you hear the word ‘ISIS,’ you have to as a Muslim make sure that people will know the difference and that ISIS don’t represent Muslims,” he said. “And not just ISIS, but every terrorist organization. Those are different. It doesn’t even relate to Islam or the Islamic message that we believe in.”

David Siegler, who practices Judaism, said people from different faiths shouldn’t be afraid to talk to one another about their beliefs.

“All throughout history, different faiths have worked together….but it’s always been an issue when people seek to divide us when, for whatever reasons, individuals wish to get power,” he said. “One way to do that is to divide people and one way to divide people is along faith-based lines.”

Siegler said he hopes they can bring people closer together by talking about their beliefs. The panel also included viewpoints from members of the Christian and Native American faiths.