You are currently a senior at Brighton High School. What motivates young people to be socially active?

Teens have an amazing energy and drive for things they are passionate about. When they find activities they truly enjoy or issues they believe to be important, they work tirelessly to reach their goals. In high school especially, students become more aware of the community around them and realize they have the resources to produce change and to set their ideas in motion.

 Why do you think interfaith work is important?

We live in a society where we're bound to encounter someone of a different religious or cultural background - a neighbor, a fellow student, or a coworker. Interfaith allows us to understand the practices and beliefs of not only strangers, but also our friends. If we're able to understand their beliefs, we will be able to create more accepting societies. We see so much intolerance in the media and across the world these days, and interfaith offers a solution. Rather than believing stereotypes or everything we hear in the media, interfaith dialogue allows us to gain a firsthand experience of other religions, realizing the truths behind them.

 For your Gandhi Service Fellowship project you are organizing an interfaith banquet.  How can a dinner promote co-existence?

This dinner is a gathering for interfaith leaders and those interested in becoming involved in interfaith work. I hope it serves as a catalyst, sparking dialogue and allowing people to make connections and learn something new. This is what interfaith dialogue is really all about: starting conversations. During the banquet, we'll have local religious leaders read passages from their holy books that highlight nonviolence or peacemaking to show that all faiths preach a common sense of morality, something we can all relate to and build on.

What have you learned about Mohandas Gandhi or nonviolence since

becoming a Fellow?
As a native Pakistani, I had known quite a bit about Gandhi. But, I only learned about his passion for inter-religious and intercultural understanding after becoming a service Fellow. One of the first gifts I was given when I became part of the Institute was a book called Vows and Observances. After reading it, I was able to see how knowledgeable Gandhi was about other faiths and how he worked to incorporate all religions into his community, the Ashram, making people of all backgrounds feel welcome and respected. Most people don't know too much about Gandhi's commitment to religious understanding, and I hope that the interfaith banquet will change that.

The Season for Nonviolence started on a blisteringly cold day at the Liberty Pole on January 31. As people gathered, AmeriCorps was there with hot cups of coffee (donated by Lovin 'Cup) for all. After the Proclamation was read and the Pledge of Nonviolence taken, pizza was served to the now frozen attendees by cheery AmeriCorps staff.  They also provided hospitality and great food during the opening of the Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibit at MCC Damon.   AmeriCorps members have volunteered at many of our other events as well. Thank you, AmeriCorps!