Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: Faith and Culture Center

Patch talks to Faith and Culture Center about the work its doing in the Nashville community to eliminate Islamophobia.

Patch: Tell Patch a little bit about your organization!

FCC: FCC works to build interfaith relationships and diminish the power of Islamophobia. We accomplish this through four programs. A Seat at the Table (ASATT) is our foundation program. ASATT involves a diverse group of 12-15 discussing diversity and religious tolerance over a catered meal. The objective is to get people to see those they consider different from them as people who are more similar than different. To date we have held 44 such events in which over 450 people have participated.

We also hold an annual community iftar. Last June over 350 people of diverse backgrounds attended the event. On September 24 we will hold our second annual Our Muslim Neighbor conference at the Nashville Public Library. This one day conference will include keynote speakers and breakout groups which will focus on the power of media rhetoric and imagery. Finally, FCC staff are regularly invited to participate in panels in local churches for the purpose of answering questions on Islam.

Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

FCC: FCC works to build community through the development of personal relationships.

Patch: What is the biggest struggle your organization faces?

FCC: Carry out programs with part time staff and limited budget.

Patch: What do you hope for the future of you nonprofit?

FCC: We hope to continue to challenge faith stereotypes by getting persons of diverse backgrounds to sit down and talk to one another

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