Welcome to the Interfaith Library International. This is a site that puts forth an unique approach to interfaith dialogue, spiritual learning and religious studies. It also affording opportunities for the understanding of different religions, faiths and traditions from secular point of view.

This site was created to be inclusive and interactive. The uniqueness of its function allows for multi-faith BELIEVERS to come together to converse (not to convert), as well as to benefit from its authentic, comprehensive unifying messages. Its design is intended to make interfaith dialogue easier, while encouraging respectful and healthy conversations regarding religious similarities and differences.

For a full Interfaith Library experience, visit our mother site at InterfaithLibrary.com.

WHO IS IMAM, MEKYE ABDUS SALAAM?

CREATOR AND CHAIRMAN OF INTERFAITHLIBRARY.COM

A competent and dedicated educator & theologian, with over 25 years of theological teaching experience as an Imam and spiritual advisor; moreover, he possesses over 24 years of scholastic secular educational experience as a Mathematician and English language teacher. 

He has studied classical and contemporary Arabic Lexicology & Grammar for numerous years. He is also proficient in classic Biblical Hebrew.

For the past 10 years, this Imam has been a motivational speaker, mentor, spiritual advisor and collaborative interfaith leader. His desire for interfaith unity comes from his teachings and understanding of Allah’s (i.e. God’s) universal and inclusive message of love written in the holy books (i.e. The Torah, Bible & Qur’an).

The Imam then attended Massey Business College for two years and obtained his A.B.A. Following Massey, he attended and graduated from Aligarh Muslim University, where he obtained his B.A. in Islamic Studies. Shortly afterwards, (as a dual supplementary major), Imam M. Abdus Salaam obtained his B.A., from the University of Dar Es-Salaam, in Psychology & Adult Education.

In 2021, the City of Philadelphia (under the Kenney administration), and the federal government’s Operation Allies Refuge program commissioned Imam Mekye Abdus Salaam to provide a point-of-entry location at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for people evacuating from Afghanistan.

Imam’s Mekye’s main focus was to create an Interfaith Prayer space, to provide spiritual council, while creating a welcoming reflection space for all evacuees and returning American citizens coming through Philadelphia.

Imam M. Abdus Salaam’s entire life has been in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding,  with regards to our existence and divine purpose. What he has discovered and has openly shared is that the pursuit of knowledge is an essential component of Allah’s (i.e. God’s) Divine Will and/or Plan, and that Allah values the search for knowledge more than the results of that search.

WHO IS DAVID WHITE?

IFL CREATIVE ADVISORY DIRECTOR

David White, once a passionate Christian apologist, underwent a profound transformation, embracing an interfaith approach to promote understanding and harmony. His journey led him to bridge cultural and religious divides, which allowed for the creation of religious dialogue and cooperation among diverse faith traditions. Now recognized by Interfaith Library as an influential interfaith leader, he works tirelessly to build connections and promote mutual respect among people of all beliefs.

David White’s esoteric belief in interfaith theology has the potential to create a profound understanding and respect for all of the diverse spiritual texts. By exploring the commonalities among different faiths and delving into their esoteric teachings, White’s approach may offer a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of religious and spiritual practices. This could lead to a greater awareness and cooperation among people of all faiths, promoting empathy, tolerance, and a deeper sense of universal spirituality.

White’s ideas may be progressive but they may also inspire individuals to transcend traditional boundaries and engage in meaningful dialogue, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and understanding global spiritual reality.

WHO IS WADE FRANSSON?

RELIGIOUS & SOCIAL MEDIA ADVISOR

Wade Fransson is the Founder of Something or other Publishing (SOOP), a groundbreaking company that combines the potential of Social Media and Publishing with services provided by a distributed network of professionals, offering enormous power and flexibility to all involved; in a model SOOP calls Author Driven Publishing.

Wade’s diverse background is an asset in growing this venture. He has an undergraduate degree in Theology, and was active as an ordained minister and as interim director of family ministries for the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) a global fundamentalist Christian denomination. Along the way he lived in seven different countries, learning five languages. After his resignation from WCG he obtained an MBA and worked for Deloitte Consulting and other major corporations, before co-founding and launching the Internet Startup GoHuman.com.

In 2007 Wade Married his wife Angela and became a Baha’i, and in 2008 moved to Madison. There he served as the manager of CUNA Mutual Group’s IT Vendor Management and Project Management Office, before moving to Kohl’s Department Stores Inc. to manage large IT Negotiations.

He has served on the Board of the Madison Community Montessori School where his two children attended, and also as the Chairperson of the Virtues Project International Association Board of Directors.

Wade is the Author of The People of the Sign and The Hardness of the Heart, which became #1 rated hot new releases on Amazon.com. The conclusion to this trilogy – The Rod of Iron was a #1 bestseller.. Wade is also the recipient of a lifetime achievement award granted by the Association of Soft Skills Trainers in Chennai, India.

WHO IS BISHOP, DR. CHARLES M. HUDSON JR.?

CHIEF CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS ADVISOR

Dr. Charles Matthew Hudson Jr., was senior pastor for Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Washington D.C.

Reared in Sharon Hill, PA, Dr. Hudson spent 10 years of honorable service enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps followed by additional years as a commissioned officer in U.S. Navy’s Chaplain Corps.

Under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Charles M. Hudson Jr., Matthews Memorial Baptist Church’s evangelism thrust was enhanced with weekly broadcast on Radio One – 104.1. Several ministers-in-training were licensed and four were ordained; instituted the Saturday Bible Class for men, the Mountain Moving Mighty Men of Matthews and Global Missions (outreach to Haiti and Africa); was instrumental in bringing to fruition a vision delayed for 24 years, to build senior housing, with the opening of Matthews Memorial Terrace in 2010. 

Additionally, improvements were made to the infrastructure of church properties, facilities and in safety and security both internally and externally; church finances were restructured from debt to asset, thereby allowing the church to be able to use newly freed moneys for more community contributions and services.

Matthews Memorial is now recognized, by the Ecclesiastical Council, as a Missionary Baptist Church. My Sister’s House, an outreach ministry to provide services and resources to families of Matthews and the community, was dedicated and later was incorporated and received its 501c3 nonprofit status; the Child Development Center (MMBC Nursery School) was accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 

Matthews Memorial was also designated as a study site for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Extension Education Program, located in Atlanta, GA, which offered the Certificate in Theology. Nine members received their certificate; led a delegation of 44 to Senegal and Gambia, Africa. 

As previous and humbly stated, Interfaith Library is privileged to have Bishop Dr. Charles Matthew Hudson Jr. as a member and theological advisor.

WHO IS LARRY SIBLEY?

LIBRARIAN & CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADVISOR

Larry Sibley grew up in the Baptist tradition; both his father and grandfather were Baptist pastors. 

When he was in seminary, he became a Presbyterian and later was a pastor at Orthodox Presbyterian Churches in upstate New York and here in Glenside. 

Prof. Sibley taught at Westminster Seminary, Glenside, for 25 years—where he was also the chaplain for nine years— and now teaches at Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Blue Bell. 

He is a lecturer in practical theology at
Reformed Episcopal Seminary in
Blue Bell, PA and has been a visiting professor at Baltic Reformed Seminary in Latvia, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia, and North Park Seminary.

Larry has degrees in philosophy/BA, and theology/MDiv, and liturgy/STM. He has published several Bible Studyguides and numerous articles and book reviews.

Prof. Sibley has been active in interfaith dialogue for the last 25 years, first with the Holocaust Dialogue among Christian and Jewish seminarians and then mostly with the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council, which is merging with Montgomery County Multi-Faith Coalition. 

We here at Interfaith Library are blessed to has such an esteemed academic and librarian aboard.

Follow Prof. Sibley. He blogs about books at http://ireviewreligiousbks.blogspot.com

“The spirit makes all the difference.” -Jeremy Begbie

WHO IS DR. SAUNDRA STERLING EPSTEIN?

JEWISH RELIGIOUS ADVISOR

Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein is an appointee to the board of trustees of Interfaith Library. Her academic credentials, her diligent works in the interfaith space, as well as her many accomplishments made her more than qualified for the Vice-Chair position.

She received her Ed.D from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Her M.S. was acquired from the same graduate school. Dr. Epstein received her B.A. undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania as well and graduated Magna Cum Laude along with receiving other Departmental Honors.

Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein is also presently the director of BeYachad, a program that brings Jewish learning and living together.

Along with that title, Dr. Epstein is also the director of Welcoming Shuls/Schools/Communities Project for ESHEL, an Orthodox community for LGBTQ Jews and Inclusion.

Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein is also a member of the leadership team of the Montgomery County Multi-Faith Coalition, after serving as the president of the Cheltenham Area Multi-Faith Council until 2020.

Dr. Epstein’s works go beyond executive titles and responsibilities. She also taught courses in Interfaith Understanding, Texts and issues in various academic venues, including work with the Hickey Center of Nazareth College.

Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein’s work is truly extensive.  She has founded schools, consulted with communities throughout the United States and Canada, published many materials on a variety of topics, and taught in person and through her materials throughout North America, South America, Israel, and Europe.

We here, at Interfaith Library, feel like we are slighting Dr. Epstein for not listing all of her impressive accomplishments. However, she’d be the first to say that she didn’t joined us in order to pad her already impressive resume. She joined us because she sees our vision and realizes that her contributions could propel this library to the forefront of interfaith works and make it a worldwide necessity for religious academic sharing and interfaith inclusion, while helping to develop it into a societal resource that benefits all; librarians and patrons. 

For Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein’s blog, go to https://callingalljew-jus.blogspot.com.