Compassion in Our Many Faiths

PICNA Celebrates 'Interfaith Harmony Month' in South Carolina

A classic display of interfaith harmony was witnessed at an event organized by PICNA in partnership with University of South Carolina -   Department of Religious Studies and Interfaith Partners of South Carolina. As part of the Interfaith Harmony Month celebration that has now become a tradition in South Carolina, this small but beautiful program was held on January 29, 2015 in the Gressette Room at the USC campus. Representatives of Baha'i Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Unitarian Universalism participated in a panel discussion that was moderated by Dr. Carl Evans.

"Compassion is indeed central to every one of the major world religions - but sometimes you would never know it" said Karen Armstrong in a Washington Times article in 2008 and this was reaffirmed at this event by various  faith representatives in their own perspectives.

Chaudhry Sadiq, President, PICNA while representing Islam, drew examples of compassion from the Holy Qur'an and life of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Chaudhry recalled that compassion is one of the most significant attributes of God Almighty and the Holy Prophet (SAW) is described as "Mercy for all the Worlds" in Qur'an.

It was a delight to see the Muslim men and women offer their sunset prayers in congregation while participants from other faiths watched and reflected in their own minds on the power of faith.