Drawing Near Through Sacrifice: Reflecting on Abraham's Legacy in Abrahamic Traditions
Sacrifice—a concept resonating deeply across faiths—lies at the heart of an important narrative shared by the world’s major Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The story of Prophet Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac (Ismail) embodies the themes of devotion, surrender, and gratitude towards the divine. In Islam, this act of sacrifice, known as ‘Qurbani’ in Arabic-speaking and South Asian communities and ‘Kurban’ in Turkish and some Balkan communities, symbolizes the profound act of surrendering one’s most cherished for the love of God, thus reaffirming their devotion.At the Atlantic Institute, we recently embraced the spirit of this shared understanding of sacrifice through a special Eid al-Adha dinner and dialogue event, fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting unity.
On this day of shared significance, we hosted an enlightening program, inviting esteemed speakers Rabbi Shira Rosenblum, Imam Bilal Malik, and Pastor Jody Ray from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities respectively. Each brought a unique perspective on the concept of sacrifice within their faiths. Their insights sparked stimulating discussions among participants, revealing a rich tapestry of shared values and diverse interpretations across the Abrahamic traditions.
The conversations evolved organically, going beyond mere academic dialogue to form connections that transcend the boundaries of faith. Participants engaged in sincere, enlightening discussions, fueled by our thoughtfully crafted conversation starters. These dialogues fostered a greater understanding, mutual respect, and even kindled new friendships among our diverse audience.
As the evening unfolded, we transitioned into the traditional feast of Eid al-Adha. This feast, symbolic of the community spirit of ‘Qurbani’ or ‘Kurban’, brought our guests closer in unity, sharing not just a meal but also stories, ideas, and a sense of brotherhood.
We concluded the evening filled with gratitude and optimism—the hope that the atmosphere of interfaith understanding fostered during this event will extend beyond the gathering, contributing to a world that values diversity, unity, and shared human experiences.
At the Atlantic Institute, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Shira Rosenblum, Imam Bilal Malik, and Pastor Jody Ray, and all our friends and participants who contributed to this event. Their participation and enthusiastic engagement underscore the power of coming together to celebrate our shared values and deepen our understanding of each other’s faiths.
Looking ahead, we are excited about hosting more such events that foster interfaith dialogue, promote unity, and celebrate our shared human experiences. Thank you once again for joining us in this interfaith journey, and making this event a success.
