Join us for an engaging evening of dialogue and reflection as we explore a profound and timeless question: What does your religion teach about the presence of evil in the world? This interfaith gathering brings together diverse perspectives to foster understanding, thoughtful conversation, and community connection.
The event will feature speakers Gina Badura from the Livermore Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi from the Muslim Community Center East Bay, who will share insights from their respective traditions. Following the discussion, attendees are invited to join optional breakout groups for more personal, interactive conversations.
Come with your questions, curiosity, and an open mind as we learn from one another in a respectful and welcoming environment.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 950 Mocho Ave., Livermore
Questions? interfaith.interconnect@gmail.com events@mcceastbay.org
Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi is one of the most well-known and respected community leaders, lecturers, and entrepreneurs in the Bay Area, California. He was born in Herat, Afghanistan, and immigrated with his family to America during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1985. After graduating from American High School and Chabot College, he attended San Francisco State University, where he majored in history. He grew up in a household with a deep love and reverence for poetry. At the age of five, he began to memorize poems by Rumi and other great poets. His love of poetry continued to grow and eventually developed into a passion and calling that would allow him to teach regular classes on Rumi throughout California, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, and even as far as Konya, Turkey, where Mawlana Rumi is laid to rest. The nuances of the Farsi language, in which he is fluent, allow him to bring Rumi’s poetry to life and help listeners recognize Rumi’s essential message of peace, love, coexistence, and connection with the Divine. He is the author and performer of the “Layla & Majnun” play produced by Performing Lines in Perth, Australia. Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi spends his free time reading, studying, and lecturing on a wide range of topics, including Rumi, Farsi poetry, spirituality, and self-development. He currently lives with his wife and two children in Dublin, California.
Interfaith Interconnect monthly “Chats.”
Tri-Valley Interfaith Interconnect meets on the second Wednesday of every month at a different Worship Community location in Livermore and Pleasanton.
The meetings begin and end promptly at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., respectively, so that you can make other commitments that evening if needed. The doors open at 4:30 pm and remain open until 8:30 pm for a social period and to continue discussions if desired (as often happens).
Typically, two speakers from different faiths will speak for 10-15 minutes each about a particular subject, followed by Q&A for each speaker. We then break into groups of three to discuss a suggested question on spiritual or cultural values. The Chat ends promptly at 8:15 pm so people can leave, but small groups often extend their discussions or join others for discussion or socializing.
The subject of the Chat discussions will typically continue for 1-4 meetings as the various faith groups within Interfaith Interconnect address the topic. Past topics have been:
- What does your faith teach about the acceptance of other religions? Has this changed over time?
- Choose a particular holy day or celebration that your faith observes. What is its significance? How do you celebrate it?
- What myths or misconceptions would you like to dispel about your religion or religious practice?
- How is meditation practiced in your faith?
- What is your faith’s creation story? How did the work come to be?
- What is your faith’s perspective on the afterlife?
- How does your congregation help to bridge the different political or social justice views within it?
- Who in your religion would you consider to be a holy person or one held in high esteem?
- When have you felt like an outsider? When you were an outsider, how did someone welcome you?
- What are the courtship and wedding traditions of your faith?
- What are the practices and rituals honoring someone who has passed away in your faith?
- What should people of other faiths/cultures know so as not to offend people of your faith?
- What does your faith teach about forgiveness?
- How does your tradition describe God?
- Holidays of various faiths: share a favorite tradition or memory.
- How does your faith pray?
- How did/have the events of September 11, 2001, affected you? (on the anniversary)
- How does your faith welcome new members?
- How is meditation practiced in your faith?
- How does the architecture of your place of worship reflect your faith’s teachings?
- What are the first rights of passage in your faith?
- What myths would you like to dispel about your religion or religious practice?
- What Interfaith and Intercultural friendships have enriched your life?
- What behavior would get you thrown out of your religion? How has this changed over the years?
- What is your religion’s path to leadership: requirements, process for choosing, etc.?
- Engaging our Youth – challenges and success. What does a successful program look like?
- What is the role of women in your faith tradition? How has it evolved over time?
- To get current information about the meeting location and subject, please contact us or ask to sign up for our (no spam) mailings at our email:
Interfaith.interconnect@gmail.com. - We are also on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithInterconnect/timeline
