2016 National Day of Prayer Luncheon
More than 250 guests gathered at Edison’s in Dallas for the 35th Annual National Day of Prayer Luncheon, presented by The Thanks-Giving Foundation and its Interfaith Council, on May 5, 2016. A truly multicultural event, each year the luncheon honors religious freedom and the power of prayer and gratitude in our diverse community. Following opening remarks by Interfaith Council Chair, Almas Muscatwalla, and Thanks-Giving Foundation Board Chair, Jennifer Altabef, Rev. Dr. Joe Clifford, First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, offered the invocation. Imam Omar Suleiman, Valley Ranch Islamic Center, read the National Day of Prayer Presidential Proclamation.
Southlake Carroll High School senior, Amsal Madhani, recited her original poem in a spoken word presentation about her life experience as a Ismaili Muslim teenager. After the introduction by Temple Shalom Rabbi Andrew Paley, keynote speaker, Janessa Gans Wilder, founder and CEO of Euphrates Institute, then took the stage and shared a powerful message about “Building Peace in the Face of Extremism.”
Rachel Roberts, MTS, Perkins School of Theology, led the audience in an interactive circle of prayer to close the event.
Proceeds from the Luncheon are used to further the work of The Thanks-Giving Foundation, including Thanks-Giving Square and its Interfaith Council.