By Rebecca Davis ’15
With a ribbon cutting and interfaith prayer service, Siena opened new spaces that will help bring together students from different backgrounds and allow community members of all religions to celebrate their faith. The College opened the new Damietta Cross-Cultural Center and Interfaith Prayer Room in the Sarazen Student Union, which was renovated extensively over the summer.
“It’s part of the Franciscan tradition for different faiths to be able to grow and learn together while respecting each other’s traditions,” said College Chaplain Fr. Larry Anderson, O.F.M. “This will be a wonderful place for everyone to worship in the way they feel comfortable.”
During the ceremony, Anderson explained the meaning behind the Cross-Cultural Center’s name, “Damietta.” It is the city in Egypt where St. Francis of Assisi and the Muslim Sultan al-Kamil met and became friends, despite religious and language differences.
With that in mind, Siena’s interim president Br. Ed Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. encouraged all faiths to come together as brothers and sisters, an idea that was reinforced when the Interfaith Prayer Room was blessed by leaders of five different religions: Catholicism, Judaism, Protestantism, Islam and Buddhism. Along with Anderson, Rabbi Linda Motzkin, Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Newman, Imam Abdul Rahman Yaki and Lama Zopa all delivered prayers.
Kulsum Shaikh ’16, was part of the Sarazen Student Union renovation committee and is thrilled to see the idea she suggested come to fruition. “Just by voicing my opinion, something big like this happened,” Shaikh said. “Ten, 15, or even 50 years from now people will be praying here. It’s truly a beautiful space.”
President of Siena’s Muslim Student Association Habib Rasoully ’17 shared a prayer of peace at the end of the opening ceremony. “It’s a great feeling to be a part of this,” Rasoully said. “Any religion, any faith can come here where it is peaceful and quiet to pray and to study.”
Completing the space is a painting by Siena alumna Shari Golub-Schillinger ’86. The piece, titled “Communion” was hung outside the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center as a symbol of optimism and diversity, two Franciscan values that will now be brought to life through Siena students of all faiths who worship together or share the beauty of their cultures with their classmates and colleagues.
