Join the CommUnity Conversation & Be Part of the Solution!

La Convivencia connects diverse people of faith, race, and culture together with interactive dialogue and dynamic guest speakers on a variety of topics.
To participate in any of La Convivencia’s dialogues, workshops, service projects or events, please contact La Convivencia’s Volunteer Facilitator
​2020 Virtual Monthly Community Dialogue Schedule
​Sunday, July 19th  from 2 -4 pm | Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm | September, October, November TBD
“The Intersection of Justice and Faith”
              Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00-8:30 pm
 Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”.
Justice is the cornerstone of any reputable faith. This justice is designed to enhance the life experiences of its followers, honor the humanity, and respect the diversity that was created by a higher entity.
Faith demands from every believer that they live their life in the quest for justice for all, without prejudice or desire for selfish gain. Amid the crippling challenges of the 20th century, the quest for this justice couldn’t ring truer. As a result, many have turned towards guidance based in their faith traditions to help them achieve the noble goal of justice. This does not diminish the efforts towards justice made by those who do not follow any organized religion. The vehicle through which justice is achieved varies, with some religions preaching faith thorough prayers or professed belief, while others encourage the practice of faith through action. Such a variety of approaches can easily lead to misunderstandings of a faith.
Join us as we explore the intersection of justice and faith in a few religions and dispel some of the misconceptions including time for live Q&A.
To register for the event, Please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Meet our Amazing Panelists!

Ali Humayun Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies; Bates College, Maine

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​   ​Dr. Ali H. Akhtar is a professor who specializes in global history and international development. Akhtar is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A.) and New York University (M.A./Ph.D.) and has taught at a variety of institutions including Bates College, Bard College, NYU, and Ewha Women’s University (Seoul). Akhtar’s books, articles, and reviews have been published by or are forthcoming with Stanford University Press, Cambridge University Press, American Historical Review, Harvard Theological Review, the International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, and the Journal of World History.

​Pam Lasazen, Baha’I Faith member and retired school teacher; Michigan

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​Pam has taught students from elementary through college and adult basic education.  Her most recent position was at a middle school on an American military base in Japan, where she also held several offices in Phi Delta Kappa education fraternity and took part in planning and presenting at teacher training sessions.  She previously worked in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, where she was an active member of the International and Michigan Reading Associations and cofounder and president of the Copper Country Reading Council; she also volunteered at the Dial Help crisis line and served on the board of the Keweenaw Food Co-op.  As a Baha’i she has served as a member of a Local Spiritual Assembly, an officer of a regional teaching committee, and children’s  religion instructor.

Tejkiran Singh, Community Organizer; Michigan

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​​Tejkiran Singh is Engineer by profession in Ford, MI. He is very involved in his community and volunteer at different organizations; a management volunteer at Gurudwara Sahib, Singh Sabha of Michigan; vice-President at Pheasant View Sub Division Home Owners Association; Patient Family Advisor at Beamount Hospital Wayne; Team Member for Canton Coalition for Communities (CCIC) led by Canton Police and Canton Library.

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    Registration Form 

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    OPTIONAL: If you would like to receive text messages about La Convivencia programs, volunteer opportunities, and youth internship; enter your phone number above. Average frequency will be two messages per month. ​
    Media/Photo/Video Release: By participating this Zoom program, I hereby agree that La Convivencia may take and use any photographs or video/audio tape(s) of me or my family members for any educational or documentary purpose it deems necessary, including, but not limited to: posting on websites, distribution via the internet i.e. Facebook and other projects that promote the mission of this nonprofit organization. ​
    This event will be recorded on ZOOM and will be posted on all of La Convivencia’s platforms. ​
OPTIONAL DONATION: 
If you can, please donate to La Convivencia to help cover costs of this program and future ones. Any amount is appreciated!
La Convivencia is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.