On the evening of June 17, 2015 Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white supremacist, assassinated nine African Americans, including the senior pastor, state senator Clementa C. Pinckney, during a prayer service at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. I use the word "assassinated" as opposed to the more common term "murdered" because Roof confessed to committing the shooting in the hope of igniting a race war. The shooting targeted one of the United States' oldest black churches, which has long been a site for community organization around civil rights.

In June of 2016 I attended the first annual memorial service held at Grace Chapel A. M. E. in Beaufort, SC. with my friend Rev. Nat Carter and was so moved that I immediately became involved with the organization now known as UICC, Unified Interfaith Community Coalition of Beaufort. Founded by Rev. Jeannine Smalls, this is our fourth year producing the event, this year returning to the Historic Grace Chapel, sister church to Mother Imanuel.

Out of that response to the 2015 shooting at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, a concerned group of Beaufort clergy and community leaders began gathering to reflect on how faith communities in Beaufort might come together in such a way as to build relationships across historic divisions, in hopes that this might reduce the chance of such violent and hateful acts occurring in our community. Although this annual memorial is our best known event we also have an annual New Years Interfaith gathering in alignment with the annual Governor's proclamation of January as South Carolina's Interfaith Harmony Month, and a number of other activities throughout the year.

This festival which took place Sunday, April 28 at the Irmo community Park 1 to 4 PM,  was a splendid success. A beautiful warm day with hundreds of people in attendance, dozens of vendors, a continual presentation of performances on stage, and an astounding display of artwork were the essential ingredients making it such a satisfying event. Cosponsored by IPSC (Interfaith Partners of South Carolina) and the town of Irmo, it was the result of a rather remarkable story of interfaith tensions, resolutions, and the eventual formation of critical new alliances. More about that history a little later.

A key factor in the success of this festival was the deep involvement IPSC’s Mary Kennerly. Mary has deep ties throughout the community and served for many years as a principal in the local high school. For me the most outstanding element was the art contest for the youth. IPSC produces a calendar each year which features the artwork of our youth on the theme of peace and harmony in our community. Over 130 entries were received and displayed all around the outside and in several rows through the center of a pavilion which allowed all to view this work in the shade. Those who entered were given the option of also having their work entered into IPSC’s Peace in the Park competition and virtually everyone did. This year’s calendar promises to be stellar in the range and quality of art work that will be able to present there.

On the stage a number of performances were given over the afternoon including dance exhibitions from our Hindu and Sikh communities, musical performances from various cultures in a poetry reading by young people who were selected as the winners of a separate poetry contest addressing the themes of peace, harmony and inclusivity.

A local art teacher organized the presentation of a Rangoli, a giant one dollar like installation on one of the lawns consisting of flower petals, macaroni, various colors of soils all combined into various patterns and pictorial themes. Students, parents and others participated in making it before and during the festival.

And no such festival would be complete without food in this festival delivered in grand fashion. It was food from a number of different cultures and plenty to drink including the very best lemonade I’ve ever been served, made from fresh lemons as you stood in line to receive it. It is very clear from the success of this initial festival that we can expect this to be an annual event drawing people from an ever wider circle in the Midlands of South Carolina.

Now a bit about the remarkable history which led to this festival. In June this year, an opportunity presented itself for IPSC to mobilize in the midst of a local controversy. The Mayor of Irmo, Hardy King, had posted controversial comments about Islam on his Facebook page, prompting calls of both support and protest within the local community. IPSC wrote to the Mayor, offering to facilitate a meeting with local Muslims in Columbia. Mayor King informed us that he had already been approached by Chaudhry Sadiq, friend of IPSC and president of the ‘Peace and Integration Council of North America’ (PICNA) to visit the Masjid Noor Ul Huda. Members of IPSC joined the Mayor at the Masjid, and through those all-important encounters, we witnessed a remarkable transformation.

Following the visit, the Mayor apologized for his original postings, acknowledging he had been received at the Mosque better than his own family reunion! Wanting to build on this initial step, IPSC worked in partnership with the Mayor and PICNA, to host a public forum entitled ‘Demystifying Islam’ in the heart of Irmo, took place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the Irmo municipal building.  This was a valuable opportunity for people to come and learn about Islam, and to engage with panelists from the Muslim, Jewish and Christian community. This was an opportunity to ask questions and work together towards deconstructing harmful stereotypes, building in their place something far more enduring for strong and peaceable community. King said he was unaware of the ways in which Muslim leaders were distancing the faith from acts of terror until Sadiq spoke to him about it directly. Because of what is portrayed in the news media and on social media, King said, many people may believe Islam is a religion of terror and death. So he believed that this information session was very helpful to combat that perception. He said what started as a sour situation that drew much attention and backlash was, in his eyes, a great opportunity. “God has mysterious ways of bringing people together,” Sadiq said.

It was on the basis of the strong relationship that Mayor King had formed with IPSC that he reached out to us to cosponsor this first annual Irmo international Festival.

Since 1990, each of the FBI’s 56 field offices nominates one person or group to receive the “Director’s Award for Community Leadership”. The award, given on behalf of Director Christopher A. Wray, is in recognition of outstanding service to the local community and the enduring contributions to the advancement of justice. IPSC was nominated for this award by Denise Taiste, FBI Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator with the Columbia branch, in recognition of the excellent work of IPSC within South Carolina. Special Agent in Charge, Alphonso “Jody” Norris, presented the 2018 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Interfaith Partners of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, for impacting thousands from communities representing all cultures, religions and backgrounds through their efforts; building relationships of trust; prevention of terrorism; understanding of racial and religious bias, and establishing interfaith groups in various communities across South Carolina.

That presentation convened at the FBI office on Thursday, January 10, 2019. All recipients were invited to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on May 3, 2019 to receive the award from FBI Director Christopher Wray. Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. Pictured receiving the award from Director Wray is IPSC’s President and Chair Dr. Adrian Bird. Those members of IPSC that were able to attend the ceremony were:  Amarjit & Amita Singh, Cheryl Glantz Nail, Sarah Kurlowich, Jon Leader, Zulfikar Berk, Holli Emore, and Ethel Crawford.  Adrian said “This award inspires us to keep up the essential work of building relationships of dignity and respect in SC.”

In the ceremony at FBI Headquarters on May 3, 2019, Director Christopher Wray recognized the most recent DCLA recipients. “These leaders, selected by their area FBI field office for their efforts in 2018, have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their local communities through service. The FBI is grateful for the work of each of these individuals and organizations on behalf of their communities.”

This is what the FBI has to say about the DCLA: “It’s a fact: The FBI can only conduct investigations and protect the American people from crime and acts of extremism if it has the support and understanding of the American people. That’s why the special agents in charge of each of our 56 field offices work so closely with their communities and community organizations. What happens when these special agents in charge get such tremendous support from people in their communities that they want to specially recognize them? They nominate them for a They nominate them for a Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). This special award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.”

IPSC was among great company, here is a sampling of the 55 other recipients: Albuquerque - Mescalero Apache Tribe Violence Against Women Program, The Jacksonville Division honored the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida (ICNEF). The Albany Division honored Susan Case DeMari. Through her work with the Jewish Federation Society of Central New York, DeMari has helped prevent and respond to threats targeting the Jewish community. The Buffalo Division honored Emma Buckthal, a passionate advocate for victims of trafficking. The Chicago Division honored Concepcion Rodriguez. For more than a decade, the funeral director, community activist, and gang intervention specialist was in a gang as a teen. Her presentation to teens is based on her firsthand experience of burying more than 200 youths involved in gangs. The Los Angeles Division honored Jodi Wing  an advocate for advancing social change through educational equity. Her Art of Peace Club program teaches children and families critical thinking skills and how to manage emotions and expectations through ethical, interpersonal, and civic engagement. The Louisville Division honored Soha Saiyed, who uses innovative events to raise funds for victims of human trafficking and to shed light on the problem. The Milwaukee Division honors Masood Akhtar. Akhtar is an Indian-born American Muslim activist and wanted to address the current environment of hate, bigotry, and racism. His movement, “We Are Many: United Against Hate,” is dedicated to building an all-inclusive community of people. The Minneapolis Division honors Judith Meisel. A Holocaust survivor, educator, and civil rights activist, Meisel shares her story, strength, and inspiration at high schools, universities, and other community events. “We cannot afford to say, ‘What can I do, I’m only one person?’ One person can do a lot,” Meisel says.”

IPSC was certainly honored to be selected from among many worthy individuals and organizations in South Carolina to receive the Director’s Award for Community Leadership. I personally am proud to work with the many good folks who work in our organization and to serve on IPSC’s Board.