Sharing Their Faiths
Compassion is theme for 'Celebration of Abraham'
By BEN ANTONIUS/Daily Democrat Staff Writer
January 30, 2006

Muslims, Jews and Christians got together Sunday to discuss their faiths at the third annual Celebration of Abraham at the Holy Rosary Church Community Center in Woodland.

The event this year focused on compassion, using readings of stories from all three faiths, followed by discussions at each table. The theme changes each year, but is selected to emphasize the links between the communities.

Khalid Saeed, from the Muslim Mosque of Woodland, welcomed about 400 people to the event. He recited a quote from the Quran that calls for peace and reads "the most honored of you in God's sight is the one who is most righteous."

Rev. Mark Holmerud read the passage of the prodigal son from the Book of Luke. The story tells of a young man who loses his father's fortune but is welcomed when he returns home.

Holmerud suggested the father's warm welcome was an example of the compassion the faith asks people to demonstrate.

"Our job having received this compassion and love (from God) is to offer it to others," he said.

Rabbi Greg Wolfe of Bet Haverim synagogue in Davis offered a different take on the idea of compassion with his reading, in which a city is spared and Jonah receives a lesson on second chances.

The speakers said recipients of a second chance need to be especially willing to afford the same luxury to others.

After the readings, there was a hand-washing ceremony, which Saeed said represented spiritual purification. Leaders from each faith recited their traditional prayers before the ceremony.

At 4:15 p.m., Muslims took a break from the event to pray at the edge of the community center.

Saeed said the atmosphere in the various religious communities has improved since the first event was held three years ago. He and others expected to continue in the future, despite the October departure of Holy Rosary Catholic Church Rev. John Boll, who took a position with a Sacramento parish.

The event originated after members of Bet Haverim, Holy Rosary and Woodland Muslim Mosque met with a Lodi man who created a similar event in his community. It takes its name from Abraham, the ancestral figure cited by all three religions who was the topic of the first event.

Participating in the event were: The Christian Church of Woodland, Bet Haverim, Davis Community Church, Davis Lutheran Church of Incarnation, Holy Rosary, The Islamic Center of Davis, Muslim Mosque, St. James Catholic Church of Davis, St. John's United Church of Christ, St. Martin's Episcopal Church of Davis, United Methodist Church of Davis, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Woodland United Methodist Church.

Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center
1023 North Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-4706
www.woodlandmosque.net