The Interfaith Clergy and Advocates group held their 2nd annual All Faiths Festival August 7 and 8. The festival began Saturday with a group prayer session and discussion of the histories of each faith and culminated with a picnic on Sunday.

“We saw the world going to violence, some getting very extreme, whether from the Christian, Muslim or Jewish side,” said Imam Husham Al-Husainy of the Karbalaa Islamic Center and Museum where the event was held. “So we came to stand together against war and violence.”

The Interfaith Clergy and Advocates group started in May 2008 after Pastor David Kasbow, Family Federation for Peace and Unification Church, and members of his church began visiting temples and mosques in an effort to reach out to other faiths. It was at this time that he met Imam Husham Al-Husainy and Rabbi Mordehai Waldman, of Beth Tephilath Moses. They were later joined by Father Lawrence Ventline, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, and others.

“The media often covers the fights and conflicts between the religions,” said Pastor Kasbow. “We want to show a different side.”

Imam Al-Husainy, Father Ventline, and Pastor Kasbow, led those present in the history of Islam, Christianity and Judaism and the common threads in each faith with a tour of the Karbalaaa museum. Rabbi Waldman was unable to attend due to Sabbath services.

“Abraham promised the people Moses would come,” said Imam Al- Husainy. “Then Moses prepared for Jesus, and in our faith Jesus said the son of Ishmael will come.”

The Karbalaa Islamic Center holds a museum where portraits on the wall depict the connection between the three faiths.  One such portrait shows Moses with the 12 tribes of Israel, Jesus with the 12 apostles, and Mohammed with the 12 imams.

“I see this as a signature of God,” Imam Al-Husainy.

The groups engaged in a group-prayer session, beginning with Imam Al-Husainy leading all in Muslim prayer to the east, followed by both Father Ventline and Pastor Kasbow praying to God, through Jesus, for all present. All present engaged in the three prayers.

“The Jewish people have roots in Iraq,” said Father Ventline. “Abraham was born in Ur, in Iraq. He had two sons, Issac and Ishamael. Issac fathered Jacob, who was later renamed Israel and promised a nation. Jesus descended from that line. Abraham’s other son, Ishmael, was also promised a nation. From his branch came Islam’s central figure, the Prophet Mohammed.”

The Interfaith Clergy and Advocates will be hosting a “Getting to Know You” dinner Monday October 4th at Amani’s Kitchen in Dearborn from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to allow people of all three faiths to get a clear picture of each others’ beliefs.

For more information about the event, visit www.interfaithwork.com

“Everyone prays in his own way, but to one God,” said Imam Al-Husainy. “It is time for all of God’s children, children of Abraham, to come together.”