Festival of Faiths celebrates religious diversity

Greater Cincinnati’s first Festival of Faiths, held in June at Xavier University’s Cintas Center, brought together over 2,000 neighbors, families and spiritual leaders to celebrate religious diversity with an interfaith devotional observance, faith-based exhibits, meditations, art, music and activities for children.

The festival attracted 24 faith communities representing 12 world religions. The theme Compassion through Action recognized the faith community’s role in advancing a civil, just and welcoming community for all. Sponsored by the Bridges of Faith Trialogue, the event aimed to help unify the faith community by focusing on similarities and celebrating spiritual and cultural differences.

cincifestivaloffaiths.org

Click on a thumbnail below to view full photo gallery from the event.

: Spiritual leader Fred Desai of the Zoroastrian community giving a reading (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Spiritual leaders participating in the Festival of Faiths opening ceremonies (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Festival co-chairs Maria Munir and Sandy Kaltman extending greetings on behalf of the steering committee (not pictured, co-chair Rev. Canon Manoj Zacharia) (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Rabbi Gary Zola, Imam Hossam Musa, the Rev. Acharya Kailash Sharma (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Dena and Mayor John Cranley (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Exhibitors from the Cincinnati Friars community (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Shalom Israeli folk dancers performing at the festival (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)

: Maria Munir and singers of the Al-Nasheed Group from the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati performing at the festival (Photo by Adeeva’s Photography)