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Women of three faiths explore common bonds

In their memoir “The Faith Club,” a Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim write about forming a group to address religion after 9/11. Read an excerpt.
/ Source: TODAY

Four years ago, three women chose to take a leap of faith. They met to write a children’s book designed to bridge gaps between three religions in the wake of 9/11. What resulted, however, was the answer to an even greater prayer. Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner have written a memoir, “The Faith Club: a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew — Three Women Search for Understanding.” The women were invited on “Today” to discuss their book. Read an excerpt:
Preface
Meet the Faith Club. We're three mothers from three faiths — Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — who got together to write a picture book for our children that would highlight the connections between our religions. But no sooner had we started talking about our beliefs and how to explain them to our children than our differences led to misunderstandings. Our project nearly fell apart.

We realized that before we could talk about what united us we had to confront what divided us in matters of faith, God, and religion. We had to reveal our own worst fears, prejudices, and stereotypes.

So we made a commitment to meet regularly. We talked in our living rooms over cups of jasmine tea and bars of dark chocolate. No question was deemed inappropriate, no matter how rude or politically incorrect. We taped our conversations and kept journals as we discussed everything from jihad to Jesus, heaven to holy texts. Somewhere along the way, our moments of conflict, frustration, and anger gave way to new understanding and great respect.

Now we invite you into our Faith Club to eavesdrop on our conversations. Come into our living rooms and share our life-altering experience. Perhaps when you're finished, you will want to have a faith club of your own.

Excerpted from “The Faith Club,” by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. Copyright © 2006 by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner . Excerpted by permission of Simon and Schuster. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.