Author: Esma Ali, www.esmaali.com. I am a practicing Muslim woman. I am a wife, mother, a
professional, a community volunteer and activist in social justice.
Subject: My experience with Reverend Hannah Petrie and Building Bridges Task Force, BBTF.
I first met Reverend Hannah Petrie and others in 2010 at the local Mosque, where we hosted an Open
Mosque Day, for the entire community to meet Muslims. Aside from BBTF members, other people
came in wanting to get to know us Muslims and learn about our beliefs. Since 2001, 9/11 we Muslims
have felt isolated and marginalized. Muslims have come under attack and scrutiny.
Organized groups targeted Japanese Americans in the past, thus causing them to endure the conditions
of the mini-concentration camps in the US. African Americans have NEVER been viewed as equals in
society. Continual marginalization has led to mass incarcerations. Studies have shown that when
societies place some along the peripheries, societies lose out in utilizing some of the best talents in all
fields.
In returning back to the marginalization of Muslims, the FBI had planted radicals in the Mosques to
recruit more of the same. It was Muslims who then called the FBI to report the radicals, who they
themselves planted. Once it was discovered that the FBI behave as our spies rather than our
protectors, distrust had replaced our trust with law enforcement, similar to the continual struggle faced
by the African Americans. Thus, BBTF met a need to bring together people for the greater good.
Unlike the general public, I think the people of Neighborhood UU Church have expanded their minds to
see the bigger picture of what benefits the society and what damages the society as a whole. Seeking
this higher truth is what led them to start the BBTF.
I joined the BBTF, instantly after meeting them. Some of us Muslims saw ourselves as helpless little
souls. BBTF certainly empowered me to get off the ground and help myself and others. We were
embarrassed by the idea that the BBTF was doing more to help us than we were for ourselves!! This
idea had a ripple effect across the Muslim community and motivated us to join interfaith groups and
participate in many activities for the betterment of the community. In fact, our Mosque is now planning
on hosting our first annual Health Fair. BBTF under the leadership of Hannah Petrie has empowered
communities to help themselves and others. I shall share with you some of the activities.
In 2010, I was certainly NOT an Islamic scholar. The knowledge that I have gained since then parallels
one who has climbed a quarter way up on the empire state building, so I am still learning and have a
long way to go. Under the encouragement of Hannah, I had designed an Intro to Islam 5-week class and
developed the curriculum. I had the Expert-Imams review the material, namely Dr. Maher Hathout, a
relation of renowned Muslim scholar Hassan Hathout. I then gathered a team together and put the
class into effect, which provided an overall glimpse of the religion.
Soon after, we hosted a baby shower for the Reverend at my home, to show our gratitude. This
provided women, (Muslim and Non-Muslim) a real chance to get to know each other on a personal level,
with our hair down, literally. (We Muslims cover up our bodies and wear the head scarf in the presence
of men. See the Islam Q/A tab on my website, www.esmaali.com for more information.) Some of our
women who initially exhibited shyness had later developed the willingness to engage in other activities
with other women, thus coming out of their shells. In fact, we got an invitation from another Church to
get together a women’s group to work towards solutions.
The BBTF has sponsored reading groups with discussions including a 5-week dinner series, in which we
invited speakers to speak on various topics, including Salam Marayati from MPAC, Rabbi Joshua Grater
from the Jewish Temple, and myself on the use of drone warfare and how it affects my family in
Pakistan.
One of our major accomplishments was to set up an annual interfaith meal for Non-Muslims and
Muslims to just to get to know one another. Together we have NOT ONLY empowered the Muslim
community, we have educated and informed the Non-Muslim community about local events and world
events. Our activities have contributed in reducing the level of ignorance and have opened up the
minds of others. Some of the hecklers in the audience have come into our homes for meals and
dialogues.
There are some skills that I have personally observed in Reverend Petrie that I would like to share. For
one thing, she runs meetings efficiently by keeping the group on track and in and out in a timely fashion.
She handles those who digress of the subject by respectfully reining them back in. I am trying to
develop this skill by watching her. Secondly, she researches and delivers her sermons well in an
organized fashion. Thirdly, she delegates tasks which develop skills in others, thus bringing them and
out of their comfort zones. Not only does she delegate, she shows by example by performing all types
of tasks as needed.
She and her family will be missed in the community. May God keep them well wherever HE chooses for
them to go. Amen.
Esma Ali
[email protected]