Finding Common Ground

Umbreen Ahmad has lived in Austin for 13 years and is an active member of Austin’s Muslim community. She is an artist, a wife and mother of two, who is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Texas-Tyler. As a members of the North Austin Muslim Community Center’s outreach committee, Umbreen has helped plan events like the annual Ramadan Open House and Islam 101 Classes.

The Red Bench event held at the North Austin Muslim Community Center was a delight. Many gathered, curious and eager to discuss the meaning of “sacrifice,” our designated topic for the evening. I knew my experience at this event was strictly in the hands of the six strangers and our moderator at my table.

Once our moderator explained the rules of how our conversation would progress, we began with introductions. To my pleasant surprise, I found myself sitting with a Christian couple who were parents to five boys, one of whom was in middle school and joined us at our table that evening. They also have an older son who is married to a Muslim girl from Turkey. Also in the mix was a young lady who doesn’t believe in organized religion, but found strength and peace in spirituality. Next to me sat a Buddhist nun, her demeanor so humble and her speech very soft.

I quickly realized what we all had in common was having an open mind, respecting each other’s differences and being willing to hear each other and appreciate the next person’s walk of life regardless of apparent differences.

We discussed our topic, what it meant and how it made us feel. In doing this. We revealed personal stories, especially those that helped us understand sacrifice. We collectively agreed that, despite popular belief, to our group “sacrifice” is actually a very positive word. It brings about strength of character and a deeper understanding and appreciation of what we have, over that which we are made to give away.

The person sitting next to me said this was the first time she had sat next to a Muslim individual and engaged in a conversation. She was very curious and asked many questions. During our discussion we discovered that, despite our differences, we each valued kindness, compassion, education and a shared love of Mediterranean food.

Toward the end of our conversation, we all expressed gratitude for each other’s insights. Some in our group even said a prayer that the underlying similarity of kindness and compassion unite us as human beings above those who seek to divide us through ignorance and hate.

I feel very fortunate to live in a city where iACT creates this portal of connectivity, a nurturing environment where strangers can come together and touch upon a variety of subjects such as religion, hate, atheism, parenting and the best pasta in Italy. All discussed with ease, with no judgment and mutual respect.