The Weekly Fellows’ Post
Interfaith Conversations Clear Misconceptions – Ufaira Shaik
“Are you religious?” I’m asked with a pointed look towards my headscarf. There’s a pregnant pause following that loaded question. The question is meant innocently, but suddenly I’m on guard. I must phrase my response delicately, attending to the nuances of implication. What do you mean by ‘religious’? I wonder before responding. I wait for that quiet “oh” that ends that topic of conversation. It’s full of insinuations, that one word. It makes me question, in our secular society, is it okay for us to state that we are religious, or must we qualify it in fear of others misconstruing it as a kind of fanaticism? Suddenly, I realize my shoulders are too stiff and I forcefully drop the defensive barriers that I had unconsciously raised when discussing my personal level of adherence to my faith.
Interfaith Fellows' Blog Posts
Interfaith Conversations Clear Misconceptions – Ufaira Shaik
“Are you religious?” I’m asked with a pointed look towards my headscarf. There’s a pregnant pause following that loaded question. The question is meant innocently, but suddenly I’m on guard. I must phrase my response …
October 22, 2018Religious Reflections from Red Shirt, SD – Erik Franze
My path toward an interest in interfaith communication and togetherness began as many others do: through a program at my own childhood faith community. The small Presbyterian church that I grew up attending regularly embarks …
October 15, 2018Finding Common Ground: My Experience in Interfaith Dialogue – Noa Rose
My most powerful and memorable experiences with interreligious dialogue took place with the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Jewish and Muslim Teen Dialogue Group (JAM) and with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). My involvement in …
October 8, 2018Growth Through Discomfort: New and Unfamiliar Experiences on Campus – Emma Cox
In February of 2017, I attended an event at the Pres House, a Presbyterian Church located at the intersection of State Street and East Campus Mall. The event, titled Race and Faith, ran its second …
October 1, 2018Finding Peace In Knowledge: My Journey to Secularism – Gwen Salm
I grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and attended a private Catholic school through eighth grade. This meant that I attended mass twice per week: once with my class and once with my family. …
September 24, 2018- More Interfaith Fellows' Blog Posts posts
The Center in the News
Modified dining plan offers ‘opt-out’ option for students with dietary restrictions
Starting this fall, the University of Wisconsin will be implementing a new meal plan for students. The new plan has been a subject of controversy since the announcement that the pay-as-you-go system UW was known …
August 27, 2018
Madison-area faith leaders, social justice activists discuss place of religion in law
The University of Wisconsin Center for Religion and Global Citizenry invited three Madison-area faith leaders and social justice activists to speak on social justice issues in religion on Tuesday. Payal Khandhar, a criminal defense attorney, …
February 9, 2018
New seminar seeks to connect students across racial, religious boundaries
Executive Director of UW Hillel Greg Steinberger says he thinks students are living in a time of increased tension — something he wants to work toward easing with a new seminar. “I think people feel …
February 9, 2018
Student organizations critical to creating impactful, positive college experience
With more than 1,000 different student organizations on this campus, incoming students are often split between feeling excited and overwhelmed over all the opportunities to meet new people, explore interests, and have a good time. …
February 5, 2018
University dining policy overlooks students of faith
Last week, University Housing introduced controversial changes to its dining plan, altering the longstanding “pay as you go” policy. The proposed changes would require students living in dorms to add a minimum of $1,400 to their dining …
December 11, 2017- More The Center in the News posts
