Participating in the course “Dialogue of Abrahamic Faiths: Understanding and Partnership” significantly broadened my religious perspective in ways that felt both deeply personal and professionally transformative. As someone who completed a master’s degree in International Peacebuilding at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, I entered the experience with a foundational understanding of interfaith dialogue. However, this program moved beyond theory and into lived, emotional reality.

The Dialogue of Abrahamic Faiths brought together Muslims, Jews, and Christians during an especially tense and emotionally charged time following the first anniversary of October 7th. Spending five days in close conversation created a space that was not always comfortable, but profoundly necessary. We did not avoid difficult topics; instead, we leaned into them. There were moments of tension, vulnerability, and even discomfort, but these moments became the most meaningful. They allowed us to process complex emotions,challenge assumptions, and humanize perspectives that are often reduced to headlines or stereotypes.

This experience reshaped my understanding of what it truly means to engage across religious differences. It taught me that coexistence is not about agreement or uniformity, but about the ability to sit with discomfort, to listen with intention, and to extend empathy even when it feels difficult. It reinforced the idea that conflict and hard feelings are not obstacles to dialogue; they are essential parts of it. Growth, I realized, comes from navigating these complexities rather than avoiding them.

These lessons have directly influenced my role as an educator. As the only Muslim teacher at my school, I often find myself at the intersection of curiosity, misunderstanding, and sometimes bias. This program equipped me with the tools and confidence to approach these moments not defensively, but constructively. Inspired by this experience, I created a student club called Bridges, at Covenant Prep in Hartford, a space where all my students feel welcome to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage in open, respectful dialogue about identity, belief, and coexistence. The goal is not just learning about differences, but learning how to live together with mutual respect and understanding.

Ultimately, this class reinforced the importance of interfaith dialogue not only as an academic exercise, but as a vital, real-world practice. It has deepened my commitment to fostering inclusive spaces in my classroom and beyond. Programs like this, I believe are essential; they cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and the kind of dialogue skills that are urgently needed in today’s world. Supporting and expanding such initiatives is not just beneficial; it is necessary.

Baliqs Moussa holds an MA in International Peacebuilding from Hartford International University. She is a social studies teacher at Covenant Prep in Hartford, Conn.