DIALOGUE FOR UNDERSTANDING

Youth from several schools in Indianapolis representing mosques, synagogues and churches are gathering regularly at each other's schools to talk and learn more about diverse faiths.

The program is part of the International Interfaith Initiative based in Indianapolis and is an extension of "Bridging the Gap," an adult interfaith conversation group in the city.

The youth program involves mostly eighth-graders and is a collaborative effort of community groups including the Center for Urban and Multicultural Education at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Peace Learning Center.

The safe environment of the youth events has allowed the kids to "broaden their ideas of each religion," says Levi Vonnegut-Gabovitch, a 14-year-old Jewish participant who is a student at The Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis and a member of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.

"Before I came to youth dialogue, I thought I knew a lot about other religions," says Zoe Turi, 14, a Catholic who attends St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and School.

"But now I see other religions in a whole different way because my friends here explained them to me firsthand because they've been around their religions their whole lives."

In addition to St. Thomas and the Hebrew Academy, other schools in the program include Indianapolis Public Schools' School 91, a Montessori public school; School of Knowledge, a private Muslim school; and The Oaks Academy, a diverse private Christian school.

The schools take turns hosting meetings. The hosts decide on a topic that impacts faith and society.

Wafa Zyadah, 14, a Muslim who attends the School of Knowledge, says that teaching her peers about her faith has helped her to learn how to "really communicate with other people from different religions."

Maryam Muhammad, 13, a Muslim also at the School of Knowledge, says she learned much from other students about Christmas and Christianity and the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Many students have found the forums to be an excellent way to provide new perspective on their own faith.

Zakarya Mitiche, 13, has tried to clear up misunderstandings about Islam.

"The media says a lot of things about some religions that aren't necessarily true," says the School of Knowledge student. "And sometimes they base the whole group of people on one person's actions."

The youth hope their experiences will be helpful later in life.

"Down the road when I meet people of new different faiths again, I hope to better understand the way they think," says Zoe.

For more information, call youth program coordinator Charlie Wiles at (317) 466-0114.

REPORTERS: Quinn Andrews, 12; Max Gabovitch, 14; and Bekie Stergar, 12.

Group for youth was a response to violence

As a college student, Eboo Patel was dismayed as he looked around the world and saw young people of different faiths fighting and killing each other.

He was saddened that so few young people attended international conferences that brought together people of various faiths to talk about peace.

Patel and other like-minded young adults founded the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core in 1998. Patel, 31, is executive director. He has a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University.

Much of the nonprofit group's work involves training grassroots groups to engage youth in interfaith communication. More than 770 organizers trained by IFYC now lead their own interfaith youth service branches on five continents. They've reached more than 10,000 young people.

The IFYC also supports local efforts to further youth interfaith interaction. It works with 40 different faith communities and six universities in the Chicago area.

Thousands of youth have participated. One particular program is the Chicago Youth Core, a group of high school students from different faiths who meet weekly to develop leadership skills and organize social-action programs in their communities.

Tariq Weaver, 16, says his CYC participation has helped him learn about who he is. Now he asks questions, such as: "What am I doing wrong in my religion? What can I do right to help me be a better Muslim?"

It's also helped him clear up misconceptions about his spiritual identity.

"Since I'm African-American and I'm Muslim, a lot of people think that I might be with the Nation of Islam, but I'm not with the Nation of Islam," he says. "I'm a Sunni Muslim."

Talking and having fun with people of different backgrounds is the best part of the Interfaith Youth Core, says CYC member Cassandra Kildow, 18.

"We talk about what people do when they go to mosque, what Ramadan is (the most blessed month of the Islamic year filled with fasting, charity work, praying and celebrating) or different Buddhist changes," she says.

Mariah Neuroth, senior director of leader cultivation for IFYC, has been a lifelong believer in the value of interfaith dialogue. She wishes she could have joined a group like this as a teen.

"I oftentimes felt like I had to leave my spirituality at the door, and the Interfaith Youth Core helps people to find a way to represent their whole self at any time," says Neuroth, 27. "And that was -- and is -- really important to me as a young Christian."

Patel was also called to found the IFYC in response to the violence and bigotry he has witnessed.

For example, in his high school, Patel recalls that thugs scrawled anti-Semitic words on desks and shouted them at his Jewish friend. Patel did nothing to stop the hatefulness that hurt his friend, and he still regrets it.

"I realize now that to believe in pluralism means I need the courage to act on it," says Patel in a commentary for National Public Radio. "Action is what separates a belief from an opinion."

The IFYC also coordinates service projects, such as today's annual National Days of Interfaith Youth Service.

REPORTERS: Quinn Andrews, 12; Max Gabovitch, 14; and Bekie Stergar, 12.