Interfaith Academy Project encourages guests to embrace diversity

Interfaith Academy Project dates

Jan. 30

Session 1: The basic beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Ecumenical Campus Ministries at 6 p.m.

Feb. 13

Session 2: Social responsibility in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Ecumenical Campus Ministries at 6 p.m.

Feb. 23

Session 3: The belief in the afterlife in the three traditions

First United Methodist Church at 5 p.m.

March 2

Session 4: Environment and religions in Abrahamic religions

Jewish Community Center at 5 p.m.

March 9

Session 5: The roles of Scriptures in Abrahamic traditions

St. John Evangelical Campus Ministries at 5 p.m.

March 19

Session 6: What does it mean to become a Jewish, Christian and Muslim in the U.S.?

St. Margaret Episcopal Church at 6 p.m.

March 30

Session 7: Stewardship-giving in Abrahamic traditions

Trinity Lutheran Church at 5 p.m.

April 6

Session 8: Worship and prayers in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

St. Luke AME Church at 5 p.m.

Muslims, Christians and Jews can come together to learn about their commonalities beginning this week at a series of multicultural lectures organized by the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest.

The Interfaith Academy Project and Dinner is an eight-week lecture series open to the public, designed to explore the relationships of the three Abrahamic religions.

The first session will study the basic beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam at Ecumenical Campus Ministries at 6 p.m. Thursday. Participants will receive a free dinner alongside the discussion.

Kansas University doctoral candidate and Dialogue Institute of the Southwest member Eyyup Esen said the event was designed to bring about an understanding and tolerance among faiths.

“Everybody says we should respect diversity, but, unfortunately, not many people take action,” Esen said. “When we come together, we realize we’re not Turks or Americans; our main title is human beings.”

The series will be a collaborative initiative cosponsored by Jewish Community Center, Ecumenical Campus Ministries, West Side Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, St. John Evangelical Catholic Church, St. Margaret Episcopal Church, Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Luke AME Church. Each week, the lectures will take place at a different location.