Interfaith Power in Divisive Times
2020 Interfaith Community Dinner February 25, 2020 | 6:30 – 9 pm | UNF Adam W. Herbert University Center
Interfaith Center of Northeast Florida was delighted to welcome Imam Khalid Latif – Executive Director and Chaplain for the Islamic Center at New York University (NYU), as our keynote speaker. Imam Latif spoke on the importance of civil conversations among faith leaders, how he has initiated constructive dialogue with people from different faith perspectives, and the benefits of conversations on interfaith friendship and community.
Imam Latif’s exceptional dedication and ability to cross faith and cultural boundaries led to his appointment as a chaplain for the NYC Police Department—the youngest person to hold that position. This charismatic chaplain is a spokesperson for co-existence, mutual understanding, and productive relationships between cultures, communities and religions. He offers diverse audiences his unique blend of motivational speaking, leadership insights, spiritual development, and religious awareness.
Imam Latif has received many awards and distinctions for leadership and community service. His story is the basis for the award winning documentary ‘Of Many’.
A compelling storyteller who is able to address to this moment in which our society is fractured by contentious politics and divisiveness rooted in cultural, racial, and religious differences, Imam Latif’s public speaking has wide ranging appeal. He gives something for people to be inspired by and hope for.
Bringing northeast Floridian perspectives to the event was a panel of Jacksonville religious leaders who interviewed Imam Latif. We thank Rabbi Shire Rosenblum from the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Kalilah Jamall from the Interfaith Center at UNF, Mathew Ibok from Holy Family Catholic Church, and Sukhbir Singh, Sikh Society of North East Florida.
Our Interfaith Center of Northeast Florida 2020 Interfaith Awards, recognize unsung local heroes in our community. This year’s recipients actively promote diversity and speak to peace and togetherness, in the workplace, government, or other vocational spheres in their communities.
Community Education Award
Community Education Award – This award recognizes and celebrates an exemplary effort to build mutual curiosity in northeast Florida around matter of interfaith concern.
2020 Award winner: Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner, Jacksonville Jewish Center
Rabbi Lubliner leading his congregation to host collaborative events with the local Muslim community, service with OneJax, and is serving as an educator at Kettering Foundation. He is also a member of the Professional Advisory Group for Northeast Florida Community Hospice. In 2019 he joined the Baptist Medical Center South Board and was appointed to Baptist Health Care System’s Committee on Social Responsibility and Community Health.
Emerging Leadership Award
2020 Award winner: Derrick Scott, Campus to City Wesley.
Derrick has contributed to the Jacksonville community at University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and beyond. He is a leader in the Methodist church, has served through the campus ministry at the UNF Interfaith Center for the last decade and builds bridges with non-religious young adults.
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