Author: Michael Batinski
Three weeks ago in Carbondale, neighbors from the Abrahmic faiths and from other traditions gathered at Gaia House/Interfaith Center for a reading of the Quran that would last twenty-four hours. During the first hour, people began to sense separately and collectively a feeling of wellbeing that warmed the room. The feeling came upon them quietly, slowly, catching some unawares. Those who worked to make this moment possible were doubtless preoccupied with mundane matters of programming, seating, acoustics, and food. Then, as I recall, the gathered souls felt the light. I felt so, and others volunteered that they felt similar feelings. This awareness came upon me as if from my peripheral vision. If words can capture the feeling, it seemed to come from a shared sense of thankfulness, thankfulness that we had come together.
Through the evening, into the night and early morning, and then through the day until we gathered in evening prayer, people came together, listened to the Quran read in Arabic and English. We listened as members of the Muslim community explained the guiding precepts of their faith such as compassion, repentance, as well as views of Jesus and of democracy. I cannot speak for others who shared in this experience. I can recall so vividly the faces sparkling with warmth and thankfulness.
I have been reflecting since. Those who organized the event began out of shared concern regarding the harsh words directed at the Muslim community. Soon, however, as the organizers met at Gaia House, I sensed small transformative moments. The initial concern—the hate speech—was rarely discussed. Instead, neighbors were gathering around a common need to express community. In the last organizing meeting, a Muslim participant worried that the event would not be a success, however one can measure success. And I volunteered that the planning process itself had in itself become a success. He beamed in agreement.
Was the reading a success because more than two-hundred people had come to Gaia House? The numbers were gratifying. When I returned at 4:30 in the morning, I found eight hardy souls struggling with fatigue. With the dawn the numbers increased again. New faces appeared, some I was surprised to see. Yes, the numbers are a way to measure. And there are other measures. Some shared, days later, that praying with Muslims had been transformative. How? The answers are still emerging. Something more than numbers, indeed other than words, is needed to explain.
Last week, while attending an Interfaith Thanksgiving at the mosque, I encountered a person I had first met at the Quran reading. We smiled at one another, and I felt as if we both were sharing in the afterglow. I cannot speak for my Muslim neighbors but to observe that they came to this project with great worries about the temper of the times. They spoke as if under siege, as if it were best to be quiet and not visible. In a small way, the reading seemed to give them some measure of assurance. Many non-Muslims, like myself, are simply thankful.
And something may be happening. Participants in the reading are beginning to gather to make plans for continuing down this path. What will happen or where these conversations will lead I cannot presume to answer. The discussion continues, and that also may be a sign of success. There are glimmerings emerging from these talks: discussion groups, perhaps small classes on various faiths. May form. What will emerge, what resources will be gathered—such concerns will turn to action as the meetings continue.
I pass these reflections on because I feel that in these times we need to share such moments. Good work is being done. Sometimes as in the case of the Quran reading at Gaia House the electronic media does turn from the louder and harsher events that seem newsworthy and takes a moment to give attention to this kind of work. The event did receive such attention and others who did not attend expressed their gratitude. Most important, such events illustrate the good work that is being done in communities such as Carbondale. While Maruine Pyle, as director of Gaia House, did much to guide the community’s energies, I also marvel at the creativity that emerged from this process. Perhaps such a moment may work to move imaginations and faith. (If interested in more on the reading you may visit http://www.ourgaiahouse.com/. )
At this time when we might feel disheartened, we might find assurance by sharing such news.
