As spring approaches and you prepare to celebrate your religious traditions, have you ever been curious about how others celebrate? Three Abrahamic religions coexist in the Opelousas area: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center presents an interfaith program with a panel of religious leaders discussing rituals and beliefs related to Ramadan/Eid al-Fitr, Easter and Passover. Visitors are encouraged to bring refreshments that reflect their own cultural traditions.
This program provides an opportunity to build cross cultural understanding and fellowship. There will also be time for questions and informal conversation.
Featured speakers are Dr. Ghayas Qureshi of the Islamic Center of Lafayette, Father Justin Arockiasamy, S.V.D. of Holy Ghost Church and Rabbi Sarah Smiley of Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge. The program will be moderated by Professor Michael Alleman of LSUE.
The event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 19.
FMI: Patrice Melnick 337-948-2589; museum@cityofopelousas.com
ABOUT PRESENTERS
Father Justin Arockiasamy, S.V.D. was born in a tiny village in India. He joined the Seminary in 1992 after 10th grade at age of 15. After he was ordained a priest, he came to the United States in 2007. From 2008 – 2011 served as associate pastor at Norte Dame Church, St. Martinville, LA., From 2011 July – 2015 June served as Pastor at Holy Family & St. Ann, Lawtell & Mallet, LA., from 2015 July – 2022 June served as pastor at St. Mary of the Purification. Father Justin considers his appointment to Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas a ‘Home Coming’.
Rabbi Sarah Smiley has served congregations in Westfield, NJ, Overland Park, KS and is now serving The Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge, LA. Rabbi Smiley believes the synagogue is a place for people of all generations and loves helping people of all ages dig deeper into Jewish ritual, tradition and text. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, she worked many summers at URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute and is a graduate of Indiana University. An early quest for Jewish knowledge eventually led Smiley to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she was ordained in 2010. Rabbi Smiley focuses on all aspects of Jewish life helping to create Jewish meaning, finding Jewish connections and ensuring Jewish continuity. She is married to Rabbi Josh Leighton, and they have one daughter, Eliana.
Dr. Ghayas Qureshi of the Islamic Center of Lafayette has lived in the area since 1996 (and is here on behalf of the Imam of the Islamic Center). He is an MD and has been practicing Emergency Medicine in the area since. While Muslims have been living in the area for a long time, The Islamic Center was incorporated in 1980 to further education and community involvement and provide religious services to the people of the Islamic faith in Acadiana. The Muslim community in the area has grown and 500-plus families are living in Acadiana. They also work with local organizations in supporting people who are in need.
Michael Alleman is Professor of English, History, Philosophy, and Theatre at Louisiana State University Eunice. He earned an M.A in English and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from McNeese State and a Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas, with a major in Studies in Literature and minors in the History of Ideas and Aesthetic Studies. He has published several scholarly articles on the poet Ezra Pound, and his poems have appeared in Chiron Review, Illya’s Honey, Louisiana Review, and elsewhere. His current program of research includes logic and the history of philosophy. He currently lives in Frank O’Hara’s poems with his wife, Angela, and an indeterminate number of cats.
