'Interfaith work has never been more crucial:' Dinner unites members of multiple religions

At times, even neighbors can feel far apart, but for more than 20 years, the Triangle Interfaith Alliance has worked to bring people back together.

“People now are more divided than they were, even right after Sept. 11,” said Zubaida Khan with the Triangle Interfaith Alliance.

At the annual dinner at the Islamic Association of Raleigh, nearly a dozen faiths were represented.

WRAL News anchor David Crabtree, the event’s keynote speaker, said people can move, even in small steps, to be vulnerable and to understand one another.

“Either we want to be one or we don’t. The choice is ours,” he said.

“We are people of faith. We believe in a God and we like to do good and that is what needs to be connected,” Khan said.

Over the years, the Triangle Interfaith Alliance has connected people while improving the community, from building homes to feeding the hungry.

“Interfaith work has never been more crucial,” said Rev. Nancy Petty with Pullen Memorial Baptist Church.

“We are living in a time where there is great divisiveness and religion is one of the great dividers in our society right now. When you know someone, you can’t demonize them. They are no longer ‘the other.’”

At Thursday night’s meeting, the Alliance announced goals for 2018, including improving communication in the community and celebrating one another’s religious holidays.