Volunteers with HFH Detroit work together on site during an interfaith build last April.

Habitat for Humanity of Detroit Secures Interfaith Partnerships

Following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, reports of community divisiveness surfaced across the United States and around the world with regard to diversity in culture and faith. Habitat for Humanity in Detroit, Mich., however, was determined to focus on conciliation, and has been working since that time to unify communities around the common goal of decent, affordable housing.

"We saw a need to get dialogue together among faiths to prevent possible polarization," says Sam Smith, a volunteer with HFH Detroit who has been instrumental in the unifying efforts. "We saw Habitat as a way to bring Muslim, Christian and Jewish volunteers together on site. Habitat is a Christian organization, but is neutral in terms of its approach to house building."

Another positive from the Sept. 11 tragedy was the emergence of a separate organization in Detroit called Interfaith Partners, a service group within the National Conference for Community and Justice. Interfaith Partners coordinator Steve Spreitzer says the group identified Habitat for Humanity as a tangible service opportunity in which participants could work in unison for the common good of their community. "With one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States and an equal number of Jews, our community has worked hard to bring these faith communities together with our many Christian churches," Spreitzer says. "Habitat for Humanity represents a perfect way to come together to say 'yes' to God and to make his presence known."

On the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, HFH Detroit dedicated an Interfaith House as a sign of unity and community rebuilding. The house construction was a collaborative effort among the faith communities in and around Detroit. With two such interfaith houses under its belt, and a total of 115 houses built since its founding in 1986, HFH Detroit expects to expand its building activity, including its work with different faith communities, according to Rob Dewaelsche, affiliate executive director.

"All three Abrahamic faiths--Jews, Christians and Muslims--place a value on putting faith into action," says Dewaelsche, "and Habitat allows people from all faiths to work on a home as a tangible expression of our love for one another. The construction process also allows volunteers to get to know people they might not come into contact with otherwise. ... Volunteers learn in practical and spiritual ways that we have many beliefs and values in common."

While some differences such as dress may seem obvious, even those fade, says Smith, once house construction begins. In referring to one Muslim volunteer, Smith says, "A hijab [headdress] in an American neighborhood can appear out of place at first. The great thing about it, though, is that when working side by side you no longer notice the different dress, but only whether the siding is hung straight."

For volunteers and homeowners at HFH Detroit and other Habitat affiliates throughout the world, this is merely an illustration of a broader unifying thread: a common compassion for those in need and the act of building solid, affordable houses in partnership with them.

--Shawn Reeves