Article Contributed on: 2/26/2008 8:32:20 AM
"You are often told, you are the leaders of tomorrow. I believe you are the leaders of today, and you have a unique opportunity to build a pluralistic community and celebrate differences,"
Jenan Mohajir reminded St. Mary's Academy High School students when she addressed them at the seventh annual Cultural Diversity Day on February 12.
Ms. Mohajir, Education and Training Associate for Interfaith Youth Corps,
and
Nasreen Daniel SL, a native Pakistani Sister of Loretto, were the featured speakers, presenting issues of diversity within a global context.
In her talk, Ms. Mohajir suggested that to build pluralism people should respect the identity of others, build mutually inspiring relationships, and answer the call for common action. To embrace cooperation among religions, she encouraged students to look at the " faith heroes" of their religions, many of whom were inspired by leaders in other religions. Through story telling and service projects with people of other faiths, Ms. Mohajir says, students come to a greater understanding of their own religion.
The message of Sister Nasreen Daniel's keynote address also emphasized the importance of cooperation among religions. Sister Nasreen shared the work of Social Organization for Integral Life (SOIL), an organization in Pakistan that serves women of all faiths and raises women's awareness of issues related to human rights and provides legal assistance for women in prison. SOIL also sponsors a school for children in Pakistan who spend their days picking through trash for items to sell to get money to buy food. Often this money is the only income these former nomadic families have.
Because of the dire need for education in Pakistan, Sister Nasreen and three other native Pakistani Sisters of Loretto hope to open a school there, continuing the Loretto Community's commitment to education in many forms.
In addition to Ms. Mohajir's and Sister Nasreen's talks, students attended workshops related to the work of organizations such as Empowerment Program, the Gathering Place, and Denver Urban Ministries. They also heard from presenters and panelists who shared their own experiences with diversity.
All shared a common mission to take seriously St. Francis of Assisi's call to "preach the Gospel and sometimes use words."
While most of the day was devoted to serious issues, a fashion show, talent show, and food sampling provided the opportunity for students to share their heritage with their classmates.
The annual Diversity Day encouraged St. Mary's Academy High School students to understand the lives of other people and their own lives as well.