Photograph: Religious leaders present program about their faiths at the Opelousas Museum. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Normally when there is mention of a priest, rabbi and imam convening together inside the same room, it’s not long afterward that a punch line arrives as the final part of a joke .
There was no comedy routine that occurred Thursday night inside the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center however, as representatives from three of the world’s monotheistic religions – Islam, Christianity and Judaism – explained the basic tenets of their faiths.
The large crowd attending the heavily-advertised event prior to the start of religious seasons for each of the faiths was attentive and allowed to question the presenters prior to the conclusion of the two-hour presentation.
Museum executive director Patrice Melnick described the occasion as a story exchange, which might help promote interfaith relationships and build connections between community members of different faiths.
On Saturday the museum hosted a Follow Up story exchange entitled Faith Saturday.
That event included an expanded promotion of interfaith relationships, by shared stories that were then retold in first person narratives to another group.
Dr. Ghayas Qureshi, Father Justin Arockiasamy and Rabbi Sarah Smiley on Thursday provided the listeners with how their religions usually prepare and participate in traditional Ramadan, Easter and Passover services.
Qureshi is an internal medical specialist and emergency room physician from Lafayette. Smith is the rabbi for the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge, while Arockiasamy is a Catholic S.V.D.priest.
Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor described the occasion as one connected by God and where those who were in the room appeared to respect each of the religions.
Passover, while commemorating the exodus of Jews from Egyptian slavery, also focuses on family events, Smiley explained.
The weeklong Passover celebration features teachings from the Torah both in synagogues and inside homes. Passover Smiley noted, is highlighted by religious education and shared religious traditions.
Arockiasamy, pastor at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, reminded the crowd that Jesus was in Jerusalem the religious center of Judaism, as part of an annual Passover festival shortly before Jesus’ Crucifixion.
Christianity Arockiasamy said, also uses Easter to celebrate freedom from a different type of slavery. The significant difference Arockiasamy pointed out is Chrisitans believe Jesus’ death and Resurrection is the signature event that delivered them from sin.
“If Easter did not happen, then (Jesus) would be a fake prophet,” said Arockiasamy.
Ramadan, said Qureshi, is a month-long event that, like Judaism and Christianity, is based on a calendar.
Islam Quershi said, is also anchored with a belief in God, angels and the books of the Old Testament.
Writings authored by prophets are intended to bring people back to God, said Qureshi.
“We believe that there will be a day of Judgment and life after death,” said Qureshi.
During Ramadan there are extended readings from the Koran and 30-days of fasting from sunrise to sunset,” added Qureshi.
