Social challenges can be addressed by increasing interfaith dialogue

Leaders of different religions who live in New York City think that social problems can be solved by having more conversations between religions. They said the increase in hate crime, drug addiction among youth, and continuous shooting incidents are not comforting. For this, besides government agencies, interfaith leaders should take necessary actions in the community to meet the uprising's challenges. Representatives from different religions spoke at an interfaith iftar party in Queens on Thursday. The program is organized by "the partnership of faith" and supported by the Islamic Circle of North America.

The program started with a recitation from the holy Quran by ICNA Markaz Resident Scholar Dr. Abdul Jabbar, moderated by interfaith leader Dr. Abdus Salam Musa. At the same time, Imam Dr. Muhammad Hatim highlights the organization's historical background. Among others who spoke at the events, Queens Bureau President Donavan Richards, Rev. Jared Stahler, Rev. Patrick O'Conner, Rev. Charlene Thorbs, former Councilman Deneek Miller, President of JMC Dr. Siddiqui Rehman, Mikael Devaux, ICNA New York President Tariqur Rahman, etc.

The partnership of faiths was established in 1991.