In a recent article about the “community conversations” Rev. Andrew Nagy-Benson and I are helping to organize, I used the phrase “We are all immigrants,” to discuss this Sunday’s panel devoted to a better understanding of Islam in America today.
Several kind friends have shared with me that that phrase inadvertently ignores the reality that native people are not immigrants, nor are those who were brought here by violence and against their will. I am continuing to learn the power of language to shape our conversations!
That said, we hope many will join us for this panel discussion Sunday, Feb. 19, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Middlebury Congregational Church, 2 Main St., Middlebury.
The panel will include Ata Anzali, Middlebury College ‎assistant professor of Religion; Naila Baloch and Beau Scurich, associate chaplains and Muslim advisors at Middlebury College; Farhad Khan, owner of Middlebury’s One Dollar Mart and President of the Islamic Society of Vermont; and Muslim students from Middlebury College.
They will share their experiences of being Muslim in the U.S. and will welcome your questions. Please join us on Sunday afternoon to listen and learn and share. All are welcome.
Emily Joselson
Middlebury