DuPage religious groups to hold peace rally Friday

Calling 2015 a year in which too many "fanned the flames of fear, mistrust and hatred" several suburban religious organizations are hoping to start the new year on a more positive and peaceful note.

The interfaith committee of the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park is holding a rally for peace and solidarity, open to all, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday at the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park, 300 W. Highridge Road.

Azam Nizamuddin, an adjunct professor of Islamic studies at Loyola University and co-chairman of the interfaith committee, said the rally will be the first of its kind at the foundation.

"This is going to be a more global and open rally than those in the past. The Muslim community feels we need to be more engaged with our friends and neighbors," Nizamuddin said.

"We have a very long-established community in DuPage County. We know we need to be a more visible participant in the matrix of our society," Nizamuddin said.

Just a few days later, on Sunday, Naperville's North Central College will host the 11th annual World Peace Day Interfaith Prayer Service.

The theme for this year's service, which will begin at 2 p.m. in the Wentz Concert Hall, will be "Building Community by Embracing Diversity."

"Today in our country, politicians, pundits and even a few religious leaders are fanning the flames of fear, mistrust and hatred," planning committee member Tom Cordaro said.

"One of the most powerful ways we have to disrupt, degrade and dismantle the networks of hate, the politics of intolerance and the ideologies of superiority is coming together in public displays of solidarity like this interfaith prayer service," Cordaro said.

More than two dozen religious institutions of a variety of faiths are co-sponsoring the event.

Nizamuddin, meanwhile, said it's important for members of all faiths to gather and share insights about being part of the same global family.

"We're going to join hands and say a global prayer for peace. Then we'll socialize and see what else we can do together," Nizamuddin said.

"Everyone is just looking to wrap up the holidays and start the new year right," Nizamuddin said.