Team Destinations in 2004

Interfaith Listening Team members at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Photo by David P. Young.

• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• India
• Indonesia
• Lebanon
• Niger
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Syria

Egypt

Engineer Abou Elela Mady Abou Elela and Dr. Emad Ramzy Philobbos shared their experiences of Christian-Muslim relationships in Egypt with communities in New York, Iowa, Indiana and Kentucky. They began their visit speaking to churches, community groups, mosques and the Rotary Club in and around Buffalo, New York. In Des Moines, Iowa, the team visited Grand View College, high schools and local churches. In Corydon, Indiana, they spoke with the local community and visited with students at Indiana University Southeast in nearby New Albany. During their visit in and around Lexington, Kentucky, the team spoke with students at Centre College, University of Kentucky and Lexington Theological Seminary, as well as members of the local interfaith assembly and the larger community.  Learn more about the team from Egypt.

Ethiopia

Qes Iteffa Gobena Molte, return participant, traveled with his Muslim partners Haji Yesuf Ali Yassin and Sheikh Elias Redman Said to Minnesota, Virginia and Florida. In and around the Twin Cities, the team spoke at several churches and mosques and also to the Presbytery. In northwestern Virginia, the three spoke with students at Shenandoah University and at a local high school. The team also visited with the interfaith council, participated in Friday prayers at a local mosque and enjoyed a dinner dialogue with a local Presbyterian congregation. The team ended their travels by visiting Naples, Florida, and the surrounding area. Learn more about the team from Ethiopia.

India

During their second visit with the Interfaith Listening Program, Dr. Ismat Mehdi and Dr. Andreas D'Souza visited Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the Pittsburgh area, the team visited with students at Carnegie Mellon University and Westminister College, as well as taking part in events at churches and mosques. In the Dayton, Ohio, area the team met with local youth as well as adult community members during events at mosques, churches and Sinclair Community Church. In honor of Gandhi's birthday, the team hosted a special community event. They also visited Wooster College and Muskingum College in the Akron area. Learn more about the team from India.

Indonesia

Dr. Zakaria Ngelow and Dr. Machasin traveled to New Mexico, Texas and New York. The team participated in a dialogue with the students and faculty of New Mexico State University and at a presbytery meeting focused on interfaith dialogue. The team traveled and spoke throughout much of northern Texas from their base in the Dallas area. In northern New York, the team spoke of interfaith relations and politics during events at local churches, mosques and Jefferson Community College.  Learn more about the team from Indonesia.

Lebanon

Ms. Lina Hamaoui and Mr. John Eter shared their experiences of Christians and Muslims working together on projects in Lebanon with communities in Illinois, Michigan and North Carolina. Students at Illinois State University as well as community members around the Bloomington and Normal, Illinois, area enjoyed the team's stories. The team visited Albion College and the surrounding community in addition to traveling to the Grand Rapids area to speak at local schools, churches, mosques and Calvin College. In Greenville, North Carolina, they participated in many community events as well as speaking at s public forums in local churches and Islamic centers. Learn more about the team from Lebanon.

Niger

Dr. Alio Mahaman, 2002 Pilot Project Participant, returned to take part in the 2004 Interfaith Listening Program. His friend from childhood, Dr. Addo Mahamane, was scheduled to travel with him, but was turned back at his port of entry in Atlanta, Georgia. Using the presentation and report they had developed together, Dr. Alio traveled alone to Michigan, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri to share the story of Christian-Muslim relations in Niger. In Traverse City, Michigan, Dr. Alio spoke to the church community as well as at a private high school. He spoke at Oklahoma State University as well as at local churches in several places across central and eastern Oklahoma. In Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Alio spoke to students at William Jewell College in addition to spending one day visiting local churches for more informal presentations. Dr. Alio traveled through central Missouri to participate in Interfaith Dialogue events at local churches, Missouri Valley College and Westminster College. Learn more about the team from Niger.

Pakistan

Mr. Mehboob Sada, Dr. Aslam Khaki and Ms. Yasmin Haider visited Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas and New York. The team spoke with students at Amherst College, Mt. Holyoke College, Smith College and the University of Massachusetts in addition to participating in Friday prayers and a Yom Kippur service. The team spoke with the community in and around Albany, N.Y. In Houston, Texas, the team took part in discussions at the Houston Graduate School of Theology and the University of Houston, as well as leading several public forums held at churches, mosques and community centers. In central New York , they participated in events at Syracuse University, a presbytery office and local churches. Learn more about the team from Pakistan.

Philippines

Ms. Zaynab Ampatuan and Pastor Beltran Pacatang shared their experiences of interfaith dialogue in the tension-filled context of Mindanao in the Philippines with the communities they visited in California and Texas. They spoke with members at forums held at community centers and churches in and around San Jose, California, in addition to speaking at California State University in Monterey. The team completed their journey with a trip to west Texas to speak to community members in and around Amarillo, Texas. Learn more about the team from the Philippines.

South Africa

Ms. Elizabeth Petersen and Mr. Fagrie Nasiep talked of their journey to interfaith dialogue during their visits to Florida, Delaware, Tennessee and North Carolina. In the Orlando area, the team spoke with students at the University of Central Florida, and at local churches. A few events were cancelled due to the hurricane that passed through Florida at that time. In Wilmington, Del., they participated in community interfaith events held at churches, community centers, mosques and Wesley College. In Asheville, N.C., the team spoke at a World Communion service and at events in local churches, mosques and at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The team's travel ended with a visit to east Tennessee, where they spoke at Maryville College and the University of Tennessee and took part in community events, including an informal meeting with the Knoxville area Women in Black. Learn more about the team from South Africa.

Syria

Mrs. Marcelle Khouri and Mr. Farouk Akbik traveled to New Jersey and Wyoming. Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary hosted the team as did several churches around Trenton. In the Elizabeth, N.J. area the team visited with local community outreach ministries, such as Restore Ministries and the Center for Spiritual Enrichment, in addition to speaking with several churches. The team visited Bloomfield College and Seaton Hall University while in the Newark area. They also interacted with students at the University of Wyoming and with congregations throughout the state of Wyoming. Learn more about the team from Syria.