Catholic, Muslim students share traditions on college campuses

Published: 2006-11-28

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Sometimes more can be learned over a dinner-table discussion than from a lecture. That's the basis of college campus dinners hosted by Muslim student associations and campus ministry groups at Catholic colleges across the country. At a recent dinner at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, breaking the daylong fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a former president of the university told Muslim participants he hoped they would help other students understand their customs and faith traditions. "We have to respect each other's consciences, and we all want to foster the spirit of peace in the world," said Holy Cross Father Theodore Hesburgh during the Oct. 2 dinner sponsored by the university's campus ministry group. After a prayer ritual, the students gathered in the student lounge for a Middle Eastern halal, or meal prepared according to Islamic law. According to The Observer student newspaper, Father Hesburgh told guests during dinner that, "at a Catholic university, we're all praying to the same God, and we have a lot to learn from each other."

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