From June 13-18, Abed and Sheikh Ghassan traveled to Oak Park, Ill., just outside Chicago for an event at Oak Park Temple with 50+ people, and a program with the Oak Park Baha’i congregation with 22 participants, as a part of the Abrahamic Reunion’s 2026 Speaking Tour events. To learn more or invite the Abrahamic Reunion to your community, contact Chris Miller, [email protected], 941-993-9994.
From Abed Manasra, AR Programs Director
My dear friends, peace be upon you all, wherever you may be.
This is a live rep
ort from the field.
Sheikh Ghassan and I are currently in Chicago, graciously hosted by the wonderful Kaufman family—Mark and Amy—who have organized several meetings and two events for us to showcase the programs we run at the Abrahamic Reunion, with the aim of building a network of collaboration and communication, and forming a community of friends and supporters.
Given the difficult circumstances we are facing today in the world, and especially in the Holy Land, our great responsibility compels us to work hard and go wherever we can reach, in order to secure all kinds of support for a better future for all of us—a future in which we live in safety, peace, and love, and reject hatred, aggression, wars, and extremism.
We were very fortunate to present our programs, especially our youth training program, “From Pain to Peace,” at the Jewish Temple in Oak Park. We were blessed with a wonderful, multi-faith gathering, reflecting the importance of what we do and people’s need today to feel hope.
The audience participated in one of our activities: reading religious texts together and discussing them in small groups to see the deep similarities between them and to emphasize that the message of religions is, at its core, one and the same: love and peace for all.
Afterward, we visited the mosque in Villa Park, a mosque that accommodates more than two thousand worshippers, where we built a close relationship and opened the door to future cooperation.
We also attended the Shabbat reception at the synagogue,
The next day we had important side meetings, most notably with Dr. Ahmadullah Sadiqi, President of the Islamic Council of interfaith relations and a one of the board of trustees of the parliament of world religions, with whom we discussed ways to cooperate and build bridges.
We then had the opportunity to speak about the Society’s programs, particularly the young peace builders program “From Pain to Peace,” at the Baha’i Center in Oak Park, where we built new relationships and were met with great warmth and love.
What made these meetings especially meaningful is that they were not only moments of introduction, but also the beginning of something ongoing. The response was so positive and encouraging that, together with our friends and partners here, we agreed to hold a follow-up gathering in the fall. This first visit was a foundational step: a beginning for building relationships, listening to one another, and opening doors. In the fall, God willing, we hope to return with follow-up programs, workshops, and deeper conversations, while also expanding the circle of people who are connected to this work and committed to supporting peace.
Our wonderful hosts also took us on a fun tour to explore Chicago, this charming city that I fell in love with. We also visited Chinatown and thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful experience.
And this, in fact, is the essence of it all: getting to know people, building relationships, uniting our vision, and spreading love and peace.
Peace is possible.
Peace is real.
Peace exists.
All we need is deep faith, enduring hope, and sincere action.
I love you all very much, and may the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Abed Manasra, AR Programs Director