MADISON, N.J. (July 2, 2002) -- Drew University president Thomas H. Kean today announced an historic interfaith meeting to be held at Drew on September 11, 2002, to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

"This event will provide an opportunity for people of all faiths to stand together; to remember the tragedy and to respond to it in a powerful way," Kean said.

The day-long program at Drew involves several interconnected events. Following an interfaith memorial service and a moment of silence at 8:47 a.m., when the first plane struck the World Trade Center, three noted philosophers and advocates of interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The speakers include: Professor Harvey Cox of the Harvard Divinity School; Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, President of the Jewish Life Network and former Chair of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Commission; and Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr, a leading Muslim thinker and University Professor at George Washington University.

According to Drew professor and conference organizer, Christopher Taylor, "The events of 9/11 have left many of us angry that religion was used to justify this atrocity and frustrated because there seemed no way for people of faith to respond. The extremists have a clear strategy and we need one too because enhanced security measures will never be enough."

"Religious extremists hope to use a legacy of ignorance and intolerance against us," Taylor said, "so we must work to eliminate those factors as a central part of our own strategy. We can start by shining the light of understanding on the darkness they seek to exploit."

The Drew Conference on the Future of Religious Pluralism is being hosted by the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Graduate School Dean James H. Pain noted that conference organizers have encountered strong and enthusiastic support for this project in the region's large Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities.

Admission to the historic morning conference is open to the general public by ticket. For information:

• Phone: 973/408-3270
• E-mail: pluralism@drew.edu
• Web: www.drew.edu/grad/conferences/pluralism/
  

Anyone needing special assistance to attend this conference in September should call 973/408-3103 at least five working days in advance of the event to ensure appropriate arrangements.