In the News ... "Religious leaders share views during interfaith event"

By Sara Higgins
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Leaders of five different religious backgrounds gathered Tuesday night to discuss how they understand and confront contemporary issues through their various faith traditions.

The interfaith event, which was hosted at First Baptist Church, aimed to promote dialogue and understanding among different faiths, organizers and participants said.

"We're trying to foster more tolerance, and one of the ways to do that is to interact," said Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami of Kauai's Hindu Monastery in Hawaii, who was also a panel member at the first interfaith event held last year at St. Stephen's Catholic Church.

Other speakers Tuesday night were the Rev. Randel Everett of First Baptist Church in Midland, Rabbi Holly Cohn of Temple Beth El in Odessa, Imam Wazir Ali of the Houston Masjid of Al-Islam and Masjid Al-Qur'an and Monsignor James Bridges of St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Midland. Russell Meyers, CEO of Midland Memorial Hospital, moderated the event for the second year in a row, and the event was orchestrated by Padmaja Patel of the Hindu Association of West Texas.

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