Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Projects Build Respect and Unity

In many communities, when people of different faiths come together to build a Habitat for Humanity house, tension gives way to laughter and individuals find new respect for one another. Coming together for the common goal of building a house with a neighbor in need has proven to be a successful way for bringing healing to divided communities and creating sense of unity.

Building Respect
“The Holy Toledo Build” in Ohio brought together Christians, Jews and Muslims to build a home, but the result was a symbolic gesture that broke down many barriers and led to the creation of new and powerful friendships.

During a similar project in Winston-Salem, N.C., organizers said their build allowed participants an opportunity for honest dialogue and newfound respect for one another.

In Detroit, Mich., three dozen Christians, Muslims and Jews made the point that their commitment to interfaith cooperation runs deeper than sharing occasional worship services.

A Spirit of Humility and Cooperation
As with any partnership, the key to developing interfaith projects is building relationships. Approaching new partners from a spirit of humility and cooperation sets the stage for success.

Inherent to many people of faith is the call to serve the poor, to make the world a better place and to be in service to others. Understanding that building a Habitat home is a clear expression of faith for people of many beliefs is a wonderful way to include diverse faith partners in a building project.

Overcoming Challenges to Build Relationships
Interfaith builds also bring with them questions and challenges. For example, the food coordinator of a project in Redmond, Wash. noted that cooking for 1,200 Muslims, Jews and Catholics takes not only careful planning but an appreciation for religious customs. Kitchen volunteers took care to avoid using chicken stock and to separate the food on the serving table.

The food was kosher and halal—cooked in accordance with Jewish and Muslim traditions. Workers also took breaks during the project while Muslims observed prayer times.

Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, said that building relationships among people of different faiths creates a certain tension, “but it is a healthy tension that we can live with and be strengthened by. We don’t have to quit being a Christian ministry in order to invite our Muslim friends and our Jewish friends or people of other persuasions to be full participants in this work. You don’t have to exclude Jesus to include others,” he proclaims.

Maintaining Our Christian Identity
“It is essential that we make clear our Christian identity,” Fuller said. He told of making a speech at a gathering of religious leaders during which he described Habitat for Humanity as a Christian organization. After his speech a Christian minister stood up and spoke at some length about how he was sure that Fuller had offended a rabbi who was present. Following the breakfast, the rabbi spoke privately to Fuller saying that he had not been offended at all.

“So often it is Christians who assume that other people are going to be offended, and they think that they have got to defend them,” said Fuller. “And the way they think they need to protect or defend them is to make sure they don’t mention Jesus, don’t mention that we’re a Christian organization. In other words, quit being who you are because you might offend these other people, and I think that is phony. Habitat for Humanity proclaims Christ in word and deed, and we don’t have to hide that to include others.”

Do We Present a Bible at the Dedication of an Interfaith House?
”Absolutely,” said Fuller. “If a mosque chooses to present a Koran as well, that is fine, but Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization and we present a Bible.

“Likewise, promotional information should make it clear that Habitat is a Christian ministry, not an interfaith organization,” Fuller said.

“And during worship services surrounding an interfaith project, representatives of all faiths should participate and all supporters should be recognized,” Fuller said, “but we should not be afraid to pray in the name of Jesus.”