My Neighbor is Muslim
Originating from a request of ELCA pastors and congregations in the St. Cloud community who requested a resource that would provide accurate information about foundations of the Muslim faith, Lutheran Social Services of MN put together these materials in 2015 with the intention simply to open doors, minds, and hearts and help to dispel stereotypes and myths about Muslim neighbors just enough to start more conversations. “My Neighbor is Muslim” is a 6-week study and discussion guide designed to provide an introduction to Islam, promote cultural understanding and encourage interfaith dialogue. To create this resource, LSS-MN worked in partnership with Dr. Todd Green at Luther College, Imam Hassan Ali Mohamud with the Minnesota Da’wah Institute and Islamic Dawah Center in St. Paul and faculty of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. This resource was created primarily to help those who are not Muslim to develop a basic understanding of the Muslim faith, learn how we can be culturally sensitive and get to know our new neighbors in Minnesota who are Muslim. Minnesota is seeing some changing demographics due to an increase in recent arrivals of Muslim immigrantsand refugees, and resources like these can help us build positive relations with people who come from different faith traditions and increase our understanding of cultural differences.
Schedule:
- Week of Nov 3: Intro (“An Everyday Resource” & “A Vocabulary Resource”) & the 5 Pillars of Islam
- Week of Nov. 10: Islam & Jesus: What Does the Qur’an Say about Jesus?
- Week of Nov. 17: Islam & Jews/Christians: What Does the Qur’an Say about Jews &Christians?
- Week of Nov. 24: Islam & Charity: What is the Islamic Understanding of Charity?
- Week of Dec. 1: Islam & Violence: What Does Islam Teach about Violence?
- Week of Dec. 8: Islam & Finance: What is Islamic Finance?
Classes will be offered as follows:
- A – Mondays | 1 pm | Legacy Room led by Pastor Sue Wallager
- B – Tuesdays | 8:45 am | Legacy Room led by Pastor Mike Pancoast
- C – Wednesdays |10 am | Legacy Room led by Pastor Connie Tiede
- D – Wednesdays | 6 pm | TBD led by Pastor Mike Pancoast
Hardcopy study guides of LSS My Neighbor is Muslim are free at the Welcome Desk or a downloadable PDF is available under Adult Ministry in the Document Center. Sign up for a group at the Welcome Desk.