IFYC Statements on Paris

Mourning a Loss, Looking Forward

Interfaith Leaders Respond to the Attacks in France

As France emerges from three horrific days of attacks last week, we at Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) remain deeply saddened by the killing of the victims. Conversations we”ve had this week make it clear that for many of us, this is especially repulsive because it so gruesomely embodies the antithesis of IFYC”s vision. In case we needed to experience exactly what interfaith cooperation is not – here we have it.

The attacks serve as a stark reminder of the importance of interfaith cooperation. How are all of us, with our differing viewpoints and deep disagreements, to share a world together? An important task of an interfaith leader is to help build relationships between people with profoundly different views on fundamental theological and political matters. How else do you have a diverse democracy, unless people have deep disagreements on some issues are able to work together on other issues?

Today, we want to share perspectives from several IFYC-trained students and alumni who have responded to this tragedy with thoughtful words and curious minds.

Adah Shair, a Muslim student at University of North Florida, who writes on the IFYC blog about her reaction as a Muslim student organizer and reinforces the idea that interfaith cooperation is needed now more than ever. Read Adah”s piece here.

Chris Stedman, Executive Director of Yale”s Humanist Community, Author, and IFYC Alumnus, reminds us of the difference between endorsing content from someone”s free speech and supporting free speech itself. Read Chris”s piece here.

Dorie Goehring , a student at Harvard Divinity casino School, writes for State of Formation and the IFYC blog about why she doesn”t want to join the #IAmCharlieHebdo trend and challenges readers to consider their role in speaking up against harmful ideas. Read Dorie”s piece here.

Joshua Stanton, Rabbi and IFYC Alumnus, wrote for Huffington Post about the need for Muslims and Jews to find each other amidst this tragedy. Read Joshua”s piece here.

Hind Makki, Muslim Interfaith Activist and IFYC Alumna, examines in Patheos the many issues of free speech and social tension surfaced by the attacks considers how the country can move forward in ways that reinforce a commitment to pluralism. Read Hind”s piece here.

In the midst of evil, we sincerely hope that your instincts as an interfaith leader lead you to positive engagement with others and a renewed commitment to pluralism in a diverse democracy.

We want to hear from you. Post on our Facebook page to tell us how you”re addressing these events as an interfaith leader, and how you”ll help your community move forward.