In observance of the United Nations International Day of Tolerance, the Dawoodi Bohra community of Chicago hosted a seminar titled "Cultivating Respect: A Dialogue on Tolerance". 

The event brought together nearly 75 guests from different faiths and professional backgrounds, including the Consul Generals of India and Pakistan, and federal, state, and county officials from Illinois. Attendees represented various departments such as Health, Education, Religion, Government, and Law Enforcement. The seminar underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue, cultural understanding, and collective action to build a more inclusive society.

Consul General of India to Chicago, His Excellency Mr. Somnath Ghosh, reflected on India's rich cultural fabric. He stated that discussions about tolerance and acceptance of different ways of life, including eating, dressing, and speaking, should reflect practices in India. Further, he added that every nation could learn respect for different cultures from India’s examples.

Pakistan Consul General His Excellency Mr. Tariq Karim expanded on the role tolerance plays in fostering unity. "Tolerance is not merely acceptance, but an active engagement with society. It's the engagement with one another and the broader world where we have conflicts and differences. And we must convert those differences into our strengths,” he noted.

Dr. Tasneem Mandviwala, a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Chicago, delivered the keynote address titled "A Toolkit for Tolerance: Polyculturalism and Radical Listening". She explored the significance of embracing polyculturalism, a theory that celebrates the similarities between cultures, and the need for active engagement with diverse communities. She explained that Radical Listening—a method of listening without judgment or immediate reaction “requires intentional focus on the speaker, mental presence, positive body language, and most importantly, intellectual humility” as these are essential to bridging personal and cultural divides.

Attendees then participated in a reflective roundtable exercise, reflecting on their cultural backgrounds and sharing personal stories. This interactive segment allowed participants to share their unique perspectives on commonalities and differences in beliefs, demonstrating how overlapping narratives can foster a sense of inclusion and collaboration.

A group of men in suits and traditional Islamic attire shake hands at a banquet table.
Two women seated at a table, looking at a notepad together. One woman is pointing at the notepad.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium, holding a microphone. People in the audience listen and take photos.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with a logo for the Dawoodi Bohras of Chicago.
A group of people, mostly men in traditional South Asian clothing, are gathered around a table, engaged in conversation. A few women are also present.
Four men, two in suits and two in traditional Muslim attire, stand together smiling. One man has his arm around another.
Three people in conversation. A man in a kufi cap speaks to a man in a suit, while a woman listens.
A man with a beard and a gold cap speaks at a podium.

Yasmeen Bankole, Regional Director at U.S. Senate, expressed her sentiment about the session, stating:

"I really enjoyed the camaraderie and learning more about the Dawoodi Bohras in the Chicagoland area. The message for tonight was about tolerance and polyculturalism and radical listening. I think when we're listening to someone's response, it's easy to interrupt them, get your two cents in, but if we remove ourselves from their response, then we get to understand where they're coming from. It really does break down some of those barriers that we have that lead to hate and division."

Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director at CAIR-Chicago, a not-for-profit, shared, "I'm impressed by the friendliness and hospitality of the people here.” He said that the event was “spot on”, especially at this point in history, where it is increasingly important to look beyond multiculturalism and embrace polyculturalism.  “It was such a marvelous first impression. The Dawoodi Bohra community put a great focus on education, tolerance, and community engagement,” he said.

Billy Hearth, a local financial advisor, remarked, "This workshop was inspiring and helped us understand how to be better listeners."

Similarly, Regina Brent, a member of the DuPage County MLK Jr. Advisory Committee reflected on her experience, stating:

"I felt a very holy and sacred feeling when I entered the mosque. If Martin Luther King Jr. walked in tonight, he would be amazed at how his words of unity in a community is embodied here. Hearing about all the cultures coming together for the peace of this nation is truly satisfying."

The event concluded with a delicious meal, followed by guided tours of the Chicago Dawoodi Bohra community center. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended by the local community.

A group of people, mostly men in traditional South Asian clothing, are gathered around a table, engaged in conversation. A few women are also present.
A large group of people, many in traditional Muslim clothing, gather in a room with pillars and ornate fabric. Some are talking, others are standing.
A group of people at a social gathering, some are talking, others are seated at tables.
A man gives a presentation to a group of people seated at tables in a large room.
A group of people in formal wear gather at a table in a banquet hall. Some wear traditional Muslim clothing.

Local Dawoodi Bohra, Ibrahim Al-Qamari, summed up the event, “The United Nations reminds us that people are naturally diverse, and only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities with different beliefs, cultures, and perspectives. Tolerance, in all its forms—religious, cultural, racial, or ideological—is more important than ever. This event allowed us to learn from one another, deepen our commitment to building a more compassionate society, and amplify the message that tolerance is not just an idea, but a necessity for peaceful coexistence."