Essential to mending fractured communities? Uniting individuals.

Part of a series of profiles centered on community-driven initiatives to foster dialogue across campus.

Previously, numerous Muslim students frequently gathered at Harvard Hillel, as much of the kosher offerings also comply with halal standards. Additionally, students from both faiths collaborated to host Sukkat Salaam, an annual interfaith supper to commemorate the Jewish festival of Sukkot, according to campus religious leaders. 

However, the terror attacks on October 7 disrupted this camaraderie, fracturing the sense of fellowship between the two communities, as rifts emerged between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian supporters, as noted by campus Rabbi Getzel Davis and Muslim Chaplain Khalil Abdur-Rashid. Acknowledging the distress within their respective communities, the two chaplains united to bolster one another and assist in reconnecting their groups.

Thus far, hesitance persists, and advancement has been gradual. Nevertheless, both are determined to continue their efforts. They firmly believe that the solution ultimately lies in reviving and reinforcing personal ties among individual members of their communities, a goal they actively exemplify.

“In light of the divisions taking shape on campus, we recognized that cultivating a relationship with one another was crucial,” remarked Davis, who has dedicated over a decade to Harvard Hillel. “We stood by each other as colleagues and worked to unite our communities, both of which continue to navigate extremely challenging circumstances and experience significant alienation and anxiety.”

Since November of the previous year, the duo has convened weekly discussions, during which they have mourned collectively, shared meals, met each other’s families, and fostered a robust friendship.

“What truly captivated me about Khalil was his profound concern for his community and his background in psychological training, which we both share,” Davis commented. “We also discuss the deep commonalities encountered by Jewish and Muslim students today — both the remarkable opportunities and the challenges of being religious minorities.”

“One observation I can make about him is that his children and family mean everything to him,” Abdur-Rashid remarked about Davis. He added, “He is also passionate about fitness, which I genuinely admire.”

“It’s daunting for certain individuals who wish to dismiss other narratives to propose that two genuinely different individuals could care for one another.”

Rabbi Getzel Davis

At first, the chaplains dedicated themselves solely to safeguarding the initiatives established by the Harvard Interfaith Forum, which was inaugurated in 2014 to enhance religious, spiritual, and ethical awareness and understanding on campus.

“Our mutual desire was to protect the contributions made by students in the interfaith space,” explained Abdur-Rashid, who became the Muslim chaplain in 2017. “There was also a pressing need to find methods to unite students and counteract efforts from external groups aimed at keeping our students divided.”

They devised a variety of proposals, such as a communal grieving circle, an outdoor meditation session, a shared excursion, and an interfaith iftar, but none materialized. Students remained too wounded, too upset, and too frightened to engage in activities with others from different faith communities, Davis noted.

Upon recognizing the intense emotions and the disenchantment felt by students, the spiritual leaders decided to scale back on interfaith activities. Instead, they concentrated on assisting their respective communities in finding solace and support among themselves. “Both of our communities grappled with significant fear and trauma,” Abdur-Rashid noted. “We needed to allow our student communities to heal internally first.”

However, there have been indications of a potential shift. An interfaith vigil hosted on the steps of Memorial Church last year underscored the significance of collective mourning. A community dialogue series exploring what it signifies to be a good neighbor, facilitated by five Harvard chaplains, attracted a diverse audience. Moreover, during last year’s Commencement ceremonies, both Davis and Abdur-Rashid delivered the opening benediction for the graduating class.

“We crafted our blessings through dialogue with one another, articulating them distinctly from our respective traditions, yet resonating with each other,” stated Davis. “We aimed to demonstrate to others how we can coexist despite differences.”

The two spiritual leaders assert that cultivating community with individuals from varied backgrounds or beliefs, founded on tolerance and mutual respect, not only is feasible but also essential, as is uniting against hate.

“Many individuals hope to deny the possibility of friendship with those who are different from us,” remarked Davis. “It’s frightening for some individuals who endeavor to erase alternative narratives to propose that two authentic differences could harbor care for each other.”

“One’s identity bears significance, yet one discovers their true self through the exploration of others.”

Imam Khalil Abdur-Rashid

In spite of the obstacles, Davis and Abdur-Rashid are optimistic that the divides within the University will mend. Their optimism is heightened by the institution’s efforts to confront both antisemitism and Islamophobia over the past year. For the Muslim chaplain, addressing differing viewpoints requires a multidisciplinary strategy encompassing academia, spirituality, and ethics.

“We inhabit a world characterized by vibrant diversity, one may even describe it as unavoidable diversity,” Abdur-Rashid stated. “The paradoxical beauty of this is that we unearth more about ourselves through our interactions with differences. One’s identity is significant, but true self-discovery stems from understanding others.”

Davis concurred. “The ability to nurture friendships across differences or engage with individuals who differ from us is vital for guiding future leaders,” he asserted. “Numerous individuals in both the Jewish and Muslim communities feel frightened and marginalized, and the most effective remedy for that is unity.”