Iraq Trip Report #3: Ashura Begins in Baghdad
The colors, sounds, and emotions of the Ashura begin for our group in Baghdad this evening by visiting the Shrine of Imams Kazim and Jawad (the 7th and 9th Imams, or historic leaders) within the Shia tradition. There will be a crescendo through this week and next as we buildContinue Reading
Iraq Trip #2: Connecting Flight in Cairo, Egypt
This won’t be too profound because my brain keeps trying to shut down out of physical exhaustion. Today we had a layover in Cairo. Oh my gosh! Such beauty mixed with lots and lots of sunshine and history and people!!! I’m beginning to collect some thoughts but it’ll take aContinue Reading
Iraq Trip Begins #1
Salt Lake City. Toronto. Sleep. Join the Ziyārah group to Cairo. Visit the pyramids and a Muslim shrine. Sleep. Depart for Baghdad . It’s going to be 122⁰ in Iraq next week. Caramba! Word to self…hydrate and rest and look for cooling spots. DM if you want to subscribe toContinue Reading
Jews, Christians, and Palestinians working for Peace
Hans Küng formulated that “there will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions; there will be no peace among the religions without a dialogue among the religions” (Küng 1990: 171). What do you think? Comments are welcome but please be kind. Share the joy Continue Reading
Protest for Palestine / Israel / Westlake Plaza / May 16, 2021
What a hope-filled and inspiring day standing with people who care about what is going on in Palestine. Cari and I found ourselves tearing up as we approached Westlake Plaza and saw the crowds and energy. We joined around 2 thousand people to remember the Nakba, or catastrophe of 1948,Continue Reading