At the April 17 meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and representatives of other religions, five young adults will present the Holy Father with symbols of peace from their faith traditions.
Saman Hussain will present a gift on behalf of the Muslim community. Born in Pakistan, Ms. Hussain graduated in 2007 from the University of Virginia, where she majored in religious studies and foreign affairs. While in college, Saman served as a leader of the Muslim Student Association. She currently works for the Department of the Interior in a management and policy internship program. Ms. Hussain was one of the coordinators of the Unity Walk in memory of the victims of the September 11, 2001, tragedy, organized by the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. On campus at the University of Virginia, she was known for reaching out to other religious groups.
She will give Pope Benedict one of the most poetic verses of the holy Qur’an (24.35) in the form of a colorful calligraphic design. This verse emphasizes the encounter with God as Light, bringing peace to the soul of the believer. Traditional Muslim calligraphy has been used in this gift, finding its expression through comtemporary technology.
In reflecting on this opportunity, Ms. Hussain said:
Living in an increasingly interdependent world today we can’t help but pose the question: will we persistently misunderstand one another and continuously amplify our differences? Or will we take the initiative to open up and talk?
Something beautiful typically unfolded whenever we took part in dialogue during our planning meetings for the Unity Walk last year. We unfailingly surprised ourselves. We surprised ourselves with the similarities and humanity we saw in one another. We surprised ourselves in our absolute commitment to core values that often overlapped. Yes, there are real and obvious differences, but dialogue helps us accept and understand these – even cherish and celebrate them as opposed to glossing over them or deeming them insurmountable.
This event, I hope, will be a unique opportunity for dialogue. I am looking forward to hearing the Pope’s views on the state of religion today and the future of inter-religious affairs here and in the rest of the world. I hope that his visit sets the stage and catalyses the process for a systematic and meaningful discourse in the US and beyond. As a Muslim and as a firm believer in dialogue, I believe that honest, open exchange conducted in the spirit of mutual respect is crucial to avoid falling into polarized views of ‘us’ vs. ‘them,’ especially when this involves those who think differently from ourselves. Ultimately, we share a common earth and ought to embrace and treasure our universal humanity.