La Cañada Presbyterian Church and Islamic Congregation of La Cañada-Flintridge announced that they will co-host a community forum on religious extremism at La Cañada Presbyterian Church (pictured at right), 626 Foothill Blvd. in Fellowship Hall of the Demarest Family Life Center on Sunday, March 6 from  5 p.m. to  6:30 p.m.

Religious extremism may seem like a global issue, but events like the San Bernardino shootings bring it closer to home. This community forum will address concerns and fears about religious extremism at home and abroad, exploring how it affects us in our local communities. We will ask and answer tough questions to foster understanding, peace and collaboration within the foothills community and beyond.

Key questions will include: What are the challenges, resources and guidelines we need for conversation among all our communities – secular, religious and inter-faith? How do global and local terrorist events impact local community relations? What are the key beliefs in Islam and Christianity that provide guidance and resources for peace building? What are the common values that bring together diverse beliefs in America? What has been done locally and elsewhere to create dialogue and understanding?”

Moderated by Dallas Raines, chief meteorologist at KABC-TV and La Cañada Flintridge resident, the panel will include two Muslim and two Christian speakers, all with Southern California roots and experiences addressing religious extremism and fostering community solutions.

Panelists include: Edina Lekovic, public affairs consultant for the Muslim Public Affairs Council; Dudley Woodberry, dean emeritus and senior professor in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary; Jihad Turk, dean of Bayan Claremont, a graduate school to educate Muslim scholars and religious leaders at the Claremont School of Theology; and Jay Muller, affiliate assistant professor in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary.

The panel will present for 60 minutes followed by 30 minutes of questions from the audience with dessert and conversation to follow. To learn about attending this free conversation, call (818) 790-6708.

Islamic Congregation of La Cañada-Flintridge seeks to strenthen Islamic fellowship at the neighborhood level and develop a Muslim presence in the city through outstanding citzenship and community service promoting peace and mutual understanding.

La Cañada Presbyterian Church (LCPC) began in 1948 with 158 members and a vision to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Through 68 years of outreach, LCPC has grown to 1,200 active attendees and 35 local and global outreach partnerships doing ministry throughout Southern California and in 40 countries around the world.

  SABRINA WALENTYNOWICZ