Wednesday, September 21, 2005 , Belleville News-Democrat
By Maria Baran
Leaders from various religions gathered Tuesday night in prayer for victims of Hurricane Katrina and world peace. The Metro-East Interfaith Partnership hosted the prayer service and dinner, welcoming different religions including Islam, Jewish, Christian, Bahai and Religious Science.
The event was held at the Belleville office of Dr. Mohammed Kibria, who called his place of business a "neutral place --- not in a mosque, not in a synagogue, not in a temple." Kibria is a psychiatrist and serves as the president of the Muslim mosque at Swansea's Masjid Islamic Center.
The Interfaith Partnership aims to end the ignorance and prejudice people may hold about faiths other than their own. "Religion to me is the mother of morals and definer of justice," Kibria said.
The Rev. Douglas Cripe said the group gathered to pray for those who suffered from Hurricane Katrina. "But also for all those in war-torn places," especially Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Israel.
Cindy Forbes, of the Bahai faith, remarked on the unity of various religions coming together in prayer for those who suffered from the hurricane. "It's a sad occasion," she said, "yet a happy occasion."
"I believe that we're all in this together," said the Rev. Lana Gilbert of Belleville, about all the various faiths. "We're more alike than we ever are apart."
Contact reporter Maria Baran at mbaran@bnd.com or 239-2562.
Correction: A story Wednesday incorrectly identified Mohammed Kibria as a psychiatrist who serves as the president of the Muslim mosque at Swansea's Masjid Islamic Center. Kibria is a psycho-hypnotherapist who serves as one of seven elected leaders of the mosque; his term as mosque president ended earlier this year.