INTERFAITH BRIDGE OF PEACE AND SILENT AUCTION

WFWP/Ohio decided to hold a pre-assembly event as a fundraiser and a foundation to the 20th anniversary assembly in Las Vegas. The Noor Islamic Cultural Center, located on 5001 Wilcox Road in Dublin OH, graciously hosted our interfaith event in one of their many beautiful event rooms. WFWP members pulled together with a registration table, silent auction displays, flower arrangements, a "Bridge of Peace" setting and a PowerPoint presentation.

Minutes before the event we were graced with the visit of a prominent international figure, Sheik Yusuf Estes and his wife. His wife attended the event while Sheif Yusuf, offered an introduction to the Islamic faith. We were honored to have such a renowned holy man and woman in our mists.

A "Bridge of Peace" ceremony was held in symbolic representation of the Islamic faith joining with Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism and Hebrew representatives as One Family Under God. Six beautiful Muslim sisters crossed the bridge along with 6 WFWP representatives. Sisterhood certificates and a "rose exchange" followed.

We are so grateful to Jeri, outreach coordinator at Noor Mosque, who met with us, filled out and submitted our request to the Mosque Board of Directors, and expedited the approval for the event. She arranged with her women's group to provide the room with tables, chairs and a video screen and donated all the refreshments. She also took care of event photos.

The Silent Auction, presented by Gwen Bair, was fun and ran smoothly with pick up and payment of items efficiently handled by Kathy Isom and Marcia Schlichting.

We offer sincere thanks to all attendees, staff members and other special helpers for making this event a successful one: Sheik Yusuf and Mrs. Estes, Jeri, all of our Muslim sisters and Bridge of Peace participants, as well as Miyuki, Francoise, Sumiko, Linda and everyone!!

Bridge Participants: Kathy Isom, Margaret Kim, Gloria Laurent, Fatou, Natalya,Susan Nishio, Chairwoman Caryn Olsson, Marcia Schlichting, Kathleen Isom, Gwen Bair, Susan Nishio, and Annette Yamakawa. Special thanks to Lothar Schlichting and Noble Badaoy, who did a lot of physical labor and attended the audio-visual needs.

Even though I was at the registration and info table throughout the event, I could feel the good feelings and fellowship within the hall. At one point, I could hear a man speaking and noticed that he was giving information about the mosque and the Muslim faith. When he left the room, he stopped at the info table and I was able to talk with him. This person was Sheik Yusuf Estes who is American-born but converted to Islam some years ago.

I asked him if he has any problems with the fanatical groups in the world. Yes, he responded- fanatics don't like to embrace anyone outside their own thinking, even the Islamic fanatics. While listening to him, I finally understood what Father Moon had always emphasized and what his son Hung Jin Moon now is talking about; America is the melting pot of the world and was raised by God to embrace and help the world. When we can stop our greediness and self-centeredness, then America will truly fulfill its purpose.