Introduction
In these selections of the Radix retrospective display, students reflect on the power and potential of interfaith connections and imagination听
Selected Artwork and Writing
The Peacemaking and Healing Power of Interfaith Friendship and Community
In 鈥淭he Best Two Letters in the Game of Scrabble,"听Shoshana Iny writes about loving outreach efforts between her synagogue and a neighbourhood mosque when each community faced tragic news. She suggests that just as Q and U rely on each other as letters (including when playing scrabble!), faith communities need one another's support and dialogue:听鈥淚 did not expect members of the听Imdadul听Islamic Centre to come to my synagogue and hold hands, forming 鈥渞ings of peace鈥� around our temple, standing in solidarity with a tragic attack on fellow religious minorities. And when a terrorist attack followed in a New Zealand mosque in 2019, members of my synagogue went to听Imdadul听Islamic Centre to reciprocate our humanity.鈥� (Winter 2024 pg. 16-17).听
Shaminder Singh Bhullar candidly addresses his concerns within his community about modern deterrents to living fully as a faithful Sikh. He points out the paradox that while adversity such as discrimination and racial profiling make it harder to live the faith, people of faith always grow stronger and wiser when they choose to face such difficulties: 鈥淚s it worth being a Sikh anymore, or has it become a liability? Being raised with cut hair, I have not had to endure the same racial profiling and racism that many of my baptized Sikh friends have. I have heard recent stories on the internet about young Amritdhari (baptized) boys suddenly cutting their hair for their safety; their relatives are telling them to shave off their beards and remove their turbans. I'm sure that such discussions and crises are going on in many Sikh households across the country. I have this theory that Sikhs as a people have only advanced and been strengthened when they have been faced with a major crisis; this is the case for many different faiths (鈥淕et Up, Stand Up,鈥� Feb. 2003 pg. 3).
After visiting a local mosque with 91黑料网 Chaplaincy in 2009 (before MORSL existed!), Celeste Pang enthusiastically writes: 鈥淚听would encourage everyone to explore different communities,听cultures听and faiths through real鈥恖ife, physical exploration. Get out there on a dark and freezing听cold night听and hop on a bus! Walk in and ask questions.听It鈥檚听worth it," (A Visit to the Mosque鈥� Feb. 2009 pg. 6)听
In 鈥淩adicalism Defined鈥� (Spring 2015鈥淚nter-faith dialogue is a discussion between groups of different beliefs, whether they听be听religious or non-religious beliefs. If we begin inter-faith dialogue at the root (or radix), can we address grievances, tensions, and concerns in a radical and positive manner?听Or,听is this pure听na茂vit茅?听Or,听is it a realistic and long-term solution that is only realized听in the long run?鈥澨�昗ing Yu Alice Chan, 鈥淩adicalism Defined,鈥� Spring 2015听听
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鈥淚magining a new world in the realm of possibility is my holy habit. Dreaming听leaves听me vulnerable to our worldly harshness, yet more vitally, open to its beautiful nuances that expand my accordion core鈥his holy habit of dreaming makes me hopeful, motivating me to tread outside hindering habits to chase change:听so听dream and hope I may.鈥澨�昅adeleine Gottesman, 鈥淗oly Habit,鈥� Fall 2016听
