Muslim and Christian Women Participate in Dialogue Group in South Bend

June 30, 2005

Source: South Bend Tribune

http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2005/06/30/faith.20050630-sbt-MICH-D1-Fruitful.sto

On June 30, 2005 the South Bend Tribune reported, "They call themselves the Muslim/Christian Women's Dialogue Group and take turns meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at either the Islamic Society of Michiana, 3310 Hepler St., or Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N. Ironwood Road. About 30 women from the mosque at the Islamic Society, Little Flower and a few other churches participate in the group. Whether only five make it to the meeting, or all 30, smiles and comments about how similar the two religions are are ubiquitous. The group was born when Weissert, a member of Little Flower who has been involved in interfaith work and social justice locally since the 1950s, realized she didn't know any Muslim women. And she wanted to change that. 'I felt we really had to come to know people of this different culture,' she said. Through the Center for Women's InterCultural Leadership at Saint Mary's College, Weissert connected with Rihab Quddoura, a member of the Islamic Society of Michiana. Quddoura invited women from the mosque, and Weissert invited women from Little Flower, to the first meeting... The goal for all involved is an exchange of information to learn more about each other, not to convert anyone."