Who is a Prophet? – An Interfaith Dialogue

Who is a Prophet? – An Interfaith at the Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy, Michigan Sunday, October 22, 2017

A Rabbi, an Imam and a Priest met to discuss Who is a Prophet? and what a fantastic discussion they had!

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Metro Detroit joined hands in an interfaith titled “Who is a Prophet?”

The Interfaith discussion was part of the Third Annual Interfaith Forum sponsored by The South Oakland Vicariate Justice and Peace Committee and Neighbors in Faith that took place Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Congregation Shir Tikvah, of Troy, Michigan.

Imam Yahya Luqman along with Rabbi Aura Bartfeld Ahuvia, of the host Congregation Shir Tikvah and Fr. Simon J. Hendry, S.J., of University of Detroit Mercy were among the panelists representing Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Program started with the moderator Ed Demerly of the St. Thomas More who introduced the panelists with thier brief bio. Also, Ed highlighted that Imam Yahya Luqman will be transferring to Atlanata, GA and this will be his last day in Michigan. He appreciated Imam yahya Luqman’s active contributions and participation in the interfaith community and recounted the many events that Imam Yahya Luqman was part of. At the same time he introduced to the audience and welcomed our new Imam Shamshad Nasir to the region and renewed the commitment to the interfaith dialogue with Imam Shamshad Nasir.

There were more than 100 attendees present including sixteen members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

The moderator then kicked of the conversation by introducing some of the fundamental questions around the common understanding of prophet as understood by the three main religions of the world:

· What does it mean to be a prophet?

· How does each faith understand “prophet”?

· What is a prophet’s mission?

· Do the three faiths have the same prophets?

· Who is called to be a prophet?

· Do we have present-day prophets? Who are they and what is their advice?

Each panelist provided their view from their respective understanding of their faith.

Later the floor was opened to questions from the audience. Many in attendance asked probing questions and each of the panelist provided their response.

The event was keenly listened by the attendees and they liked the conversation and answers to their questions. The attendees gave a very positive impressions of the interfaith dialogue and urged to continue and exppand the interfaith dialogue to dispel the negative propaganda in the media.