The Inter-faith Dialog Student Association (IDSA) is a recognized student organization at University of Texas at Dallas that was established in 2002. IDSA’s primary goal is promoting and enhancing dialog, understanding, and tolerance among people of diverse religious faith communities on campus and in the community. With this goal in mind, we have been organizing and taking part in different social activities, including picnics, seminars, special cultural performances and reading groups that bring people of diverse backgrounds together. Rather than concentrating on differences, we try to emphasize commonalities that bring us together and far outnumber the differences. We truly hope that by doing so, the activities organized by the Inter-faith Dialogue Student Association would contribute to the world peace, tolerance, and understanding. IDSA at UTD is formed mainly by a group of international graduate students who are committed to this goal.
By human nature, people ask questions and enjoy seeking for truth. It is important that this search is done with peace, tolerance, and understanding of each other’s views. This drive is the primary component of a healthy foundation for dialogue. By engaging in dialog, we can better respectably understand one another while exchanging knowledge and ideas for answers to such questions as:
• Who are we?
• Why do we exist?
• What is our origin?
• What is the destination of our journey?
• What is our relationship to the Creator?
The primary goal of these dialogue meetings is to understand the similarities between religious communities and gain a peaceful understanding.
Please remember,
Mutual trust is the most important condition for the expression of deeper thought and feelings.
Humility implies the notion that we know little and still have much to learn. It also implies the willingness to change and develop in accordance with all that we have learned.
We hope you will join us and take part in our dialogue efforts.