INTERFAITH
Improving Faith Coexistence in Emerging Digital Space Mosques need to provide more informative websites BY RASHEED RABBI
G
eorge Floyd’s death at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for almost eight minutes, has rejuvenated the interfaith movement. Once again, imams were walking alongside rabbis, priests, pastors and other conservative and mainstream religious leaders during the past year. This revived solidarity movement still has the same goal: to dismantle the reality of systemic discrimination in a divided nation that still debates the need to wear masks to stifle Covid-19, which has already killed over 187,000 Americans Amidst this uncertainty and distrust, American religious leaders and organizations have pursued interfaith activities to advance unity through equality during the Covid-19 pandemic. One example of this occurred when Wisconsin’s faith leaders held a virtual assembly on June 2, 2019, to show their unanimity of feeling with the community (Jennifer Kliese, “Together in mourning and hope, interfaith religious leaders host virtual worship,” 27 ABC WKOW). Writing for Reuters on June 9 in the aftermath of Floyd’s death, Andrea Shall stated that the approximately 1,000 religious leaders’ “spontaneous participation” in online conferences “marked a new breadth and depth of digital interfaith initiatives.”
THE FORESEEABLE SUCCESS This shift of platform was neither abrupt nor fleeting; rather, it was inherent and befitting for the 90% of the population that is already online (https://www. pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/22/some-americans-dont-use-the-internetwho-are-they), including 98% of the public school districts (https://www.telecompetitor.com/school-broadband-report-98-of-districts-have-high-speeds-but-2-3million-students-dont). While Pew Research noted on July 25, 2019, that 28% of this online population is constantly active, CNN’s Jacqueline Howard opined on June 30, 2016, that the average American spends at least 12 hours a day online. More interestingly, in 2004 Pew Research reported that 64% of online users have a history of searching for religious content; their religious quest has been surging ever since. The record numbers of online ministry participants show their communities’ cyber-savvy aptitude, which enables religious leaders to resituate social movements in the virtual realm during the ongoing pandemic. Activists participate in raw conversations on virtual podiums as they grapple with questions of equality and oppression. The internet’s ubiquity has overcome geographic boundaries, and its speed enables fast interconnection among leaders. Its users’ faith-driven motivation supplements additional rigor to make sure 44 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
that this movement will remain ongoing and thereby ensure its recognition. Despite the potential for conflict with antagonistic and often anonymous internet trolls, faith communities are trying to establish equality and enduring relationships that will defeat our current national disunity. Their renewed commitment to achieving a more equitable society for all offers healing, a sense of extended community and a cumulative hope. We are responsible for working together to realize that hope.
INCORPORATING INTERFAITH SOLIDARITY ON MOSQUE WEBSITES While faith leaders are on the frontline in terms of interfaith commitment at the national level, our communities must demonstrate this inclusiveness on the local level. However, current mosque websites do not represent the depth and breadth of their continuous interfaith engagements. Most mosques only post notices about their activities and press releases. Nevertheless, explaining how such events leverage opportunities for collaboration can increase the breadth of interreligious bonding. For example: • Sharing the dates of religious holidays makes it easier to schedule events, classes and activities and avoid possible conflicts. This information connects all faith communities and fosters mutual compassion. • Discussing menus that accommodate halal, kosher, vegetarian and other types of meals shows sensitivity to others. • Personal stories offer a comfortable way to
