Interfaith Respect Series #2: Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about the Iraq War and other issues

Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.

In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.

These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.

Blip TV:

Bliptv video #1

Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette

Bliptv video #2

Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

youtube video #1

Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette

youtube video #2

Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

Imam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg Peterson

Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.

Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.

(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.

Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.

The interfaith messages were delivered during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.

Interfaith graphic, above, by Justice St. Rain

The EarthKeeper Interfaith Respect videos will include:

Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette:

Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.

Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI:

Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.

Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.

Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009, that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:

Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.

United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton, Indiana:

Cairns speaks in May 2009 about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion plus Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN.

Dr. Cairns comments are thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.

Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.

We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series:

EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant (above) on guitar

NMU student Emmanuel Shayo (above) sings, plays drums

EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.

NMU students and the guest speakers enjoyed homemade herbal tea made with indigenous plants that were collected and and brewed by EarthKeeper volunteer and naturalist Tom Reed, who has served as volunteer social worker with numerous Cedar Tree Institute projects.

The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.

The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:

"People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul."

"The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt."

"And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq."

"Indeed, faith should bring us together."

"That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews."

"That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's Interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster."

"I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world."

"The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few."

"We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew.

It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.

It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today."

"All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer."

And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:

"The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights."

"I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous."

"Now let me be clear: issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead."

"Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world."

"Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.

I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.

But it should be their choice."

"That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams."

Related Links:

U.P. EarthKeeper Team

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

Two previous excerpts from the Marquette talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini:

Religions, people have few differences on bliptv

Religions, people have few differences on youtube

Selfish humans abuse Earth on MIEarth Video Website

Selfish humans abuse Earth on bliptv

Selfish humans abuse Earth on youtube

Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI

Imam Hassan Qazwini website

Lutheran Campus Ministry

http://www.tiredofthiscrap.com

Lutheran Campus Ministry native Species Garden

Lake Superior Interfaith

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette story on national Baha'i website about 2009 tree platning project

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette story on national Baha'i website about Earth Day 2007

Northern Great Lakes Synod, Marquette, MI (Bishop Thomas Skrenes)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

United Methodist Church Marquette District Office (Supt. Grant R. Lobb)

Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC)

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/3754.shtml

http://www.uua.org

Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, MI

http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org/tikkun

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI (Bishop Alexander Sample)

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Marquette, MI

http://www.upepiscopal.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Northern_Michigan

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/bishopkelsey.html

Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Marquette, MI:

http://lakesuperiorzendo.googlepages.com/lakesuperiorzendo

Buddhadharma MahaSangha News:

http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=1946

American Buddhist Network:

http://americanbuddhist.net/over-12-000-trees-planted-across-northern-michigan

http://americanbuddhist.net/michigan-buddhist-groups-helped-plant-12-000-trees

Buddhist Yahoo Darma Wellness Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dharma-Direct/message/17168

Presbytery of Mackinac (Presbyterian):

http://presbymac.com

http://www.presbysupport.net/mac

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm

Quakers Lake Superior Friends, Marquette, MI:

http://www.quakerfinder.org/quaker/near/MI/Marquette/11767

http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/meetings

MIEarth:

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=368

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=253

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=252

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=178

Celtic Christianity Today, founded by Rev. Dr. George Cairns:

http://www.celticchristianitytoday.org

Union Community Church in Valpraiso, IN:

http://unioncommunitychurchucc.blogspot.com

Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones:

http://blogs.valpo.edu/gjones

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá'í Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:

Call Justice St. Rain at Interfaith resources

1-800-326-1197

Interfaith Resources

P.O. Box 9

511 Diamond Rd

Heltonville IN

47436

Stories on EarthKeeper projects (2005-2009):

EK Tree Planting final story:

http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/2108308

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNGjxirmK4

http://blip.tv/journal/10088

EarthKeeper Column #7 by Rev. Jon Magnuson: Bequeathing a Sacred Planet

EarthKeeper Column #6 by Catholic member Kyra Fillmore: Growing Faith:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527268.html

EarthKeeper Column #5 by co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson: Seeds, Signs and Symbols

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526935.html

EarthKeeper Column #4 by Presbyterian member Jill Martin: The Giving Tree

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526579.html

EarthKeeper Column #3 by Carl Lindquist: Great Lakes Ripple Effect

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526285.html

EarthKeeper Column #2 Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg:

http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525918.html?nav=5003

EarthKeeper Column #1 by Rev. Jon Magnuson:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525642.html?nav=5003

Some of the Earthkeeper stories over the years:

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512057.html

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/511861.html?nav=5052

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527270.html?nav=5001

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNGjxirmK4

http://blip.tv/file/2108308

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/community/story.aspx?id=295080

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=290507

http://www.lscbc.com/news.php?id=509

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507618.html?nav=5002

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512306.html

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526750.html

http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=999

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6082

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Blog/News-Blog-Archive.aspx?a=327

http://cmonletsplantatree.blogspot.com

http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blogs/its-underway-update-rainbow

Lake Superior Magazine:

http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/295/295award.html

National Religion News:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84803_ENG_HTM.htm

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=6044

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5918

Catholic News Service Preview Story on 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2006 Earth Keeper Electronic Waste Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

United Methodist News Service on EarthKeeper Methodists sharing Michigan Sierra Club White Pine Award

Environment Magazine on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Environment News Service on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Interfaith Good News Daily newspaper story says Faith-based Lake Superior benefit concert a big hit

Story on Earth Keeper Energy Summit in Cedar Tree Institute website

EarthTimes story on EarthKeepers

April 2005 EPA Significant Activites report on EarthKeepers

EPA story on the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers

PR Web: Michigan Earth Day 2007 Project Nets Over Ton of Pharmaceuticals (has lots of photos on right side of page)

Michigan Earth Keepers video: One person can make a difference

2007 Earth Keeper Clean Sweep video on bliptv

Christian Post article on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

Presbyterian News Service preview story on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.

A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.