Obama Administration To Highlight Interfaith Volunteerism

"The White House will announce an effort Tuesday to highlight interfaith volunteerism. President Obama's United We Serve initiative is designating this week, Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, "Interfaith Service Week," administration officials said, with a series of service projects across the country.

In speeches, interviews and administration initiatives, Obama has advocated the idea that interfaith efforts should move beyond words and into action. In his speech from Cairo this summer, he said, 'faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews... .Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action--whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or promoting relief after a natural disaster.'" (Faith in Public Life)

I've supported most policies and platforms of the Obama campaign and administration thus far, but this is one that I highlight above all others. It exemplifies an embrace of religious and cultural diversity in this nation and the world as well as an attempt to bring people together to move from discussing ideas to actively working toward better living conditions and general well-being.

William Wan of the Washington Post has the story at Faith in Public Life.