Trialogue participants discuss Abrahamic faiths

Three local Abrahamic congregations are having an interfaith trialogue this year in an effort to better understand one another's traditions.

In partnership with the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs, the three participants are Bon Air Presbyterian Church, Congregation Or Ami and the Islamic Center of Virginia.

The first meeting was Wednesday night at Bon Air Presbyterian on West Huguenot Road.

Pastor Charles Grant said about 80 people attended, representing a variety of faiths. Abrahamic religions are those that recognize a relationship with Abraham -- Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Small groups of people talked about their beliefs and got acquainted with one another. Some asked questions, which will be answered at the next meeting, which is Wednesday night at the Islamic Center of Virginia, 1241 Buford Road.

Grant said he has a relationship with Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami and Imad Damaj of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs and that the trialogue idea came from a collective prayer meeting that the groups held in January after the violence in Gaza. About 200 people were there.

"From that gathering, it was clear that people out there want to have contact with each other across religious lines," Grant said.

Bon Air member Peter Stech said he was impressed by the first meeting's structure -- the small-group discussions -- and said people at his table quickly overcame their fear of talking to one another about their faiths.

"People are really trying to understand the other side . . . and come to an open dialogue as to what some of the potential issues are between the religions," Stech said. "Most of the fears are really based on not knowing enough."

Romer echoed Stech's thoughts, saying Wednesday night's meeting exceeded his expectations.

He said that when people sit down and find common ground with one another in an informal setting, "it breaks down barriers and boundaries and misconceptions."

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .