Participating in the Kaufman Interfaith Institute's Photovoice project provided me with an invaluable experience. It offered a safe and welcoming space for discussing a sensitive topic like religion openly. Sharing my beliefs without fear of judgment…

This poignant image depicts the tranquil moment of sunset, marking the time when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Despite the demands of classes, navigating through the dusk hours proves challenging as I momentarily leave…

In Islam, observing dietary laws, particularly the consumption of halal meat, is fundamental. "Halal" refers to food that is permissible or lawful according to Islamic law. Halal food, prepared in accordance with religious guidelines, carries immense…

This image captures the essence of a halal restaurant, where adherence to Islamic dietary laws ensures that the food served meets the requirements of Muslim consumers. The absence of halal meat options on campus remains a significant concern for me.…

At GVSU, I struggle finding suitable spaces to practice my religious rituals. The random room captured in the photo symbolizes the challenges I encounter in accessing dedicated areas for prayer on campus. As a student navigating these constraints, I…

This photograph captures a moment of tranquility within one of the Interfaith Reflection Rooms at GVSU, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to pray. In Islam, prayer, being the second pillar of the faith, holds significant…

The Holy Quran holds a special place in my life as a practicing Muslim. Revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by God, it serves as the center of my faith and a constant source of guidance. Each day, I strive to deepen my understanding of its teachings,…

This photo was of a retreat with other Orthodox Christian college students from around the Midwest. This was a lovely retreat because I felt rather self-confident and secure in my own identity. When I looked at this puzzle, I realized each individual…

Through Interfaith Photovoice, I was part of many conversations about belonging. Where do I belong or have a home? Lenten bouquets are not an official tradition within the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Christian tradition that I practice, but the…

My mother took this picture of me and my brothers in Salzburg, Austria. It was the last vacation we did as a family before I left for the United States, and it reminds me of the importance of family, as I have no family anywhere close to the…

I saw this LGBTQIA+ flag on a church when visiting Holland for the first time. I like how it shows that churches individually can decide to support the LGBTQIA+ community, which faces”, especially in the outer Grand Rapids area and within…

I love Judaism and practicing its core values, even if my traditional spiritual practice is lacking. I love the community and services. Being at GVSU, I am mostly removed from that community nowadays, mostly by my own choice. Photovoice made me…

This photo sums up, most artistically, my thoughts over the course of our Interfaith Photovoice. Coming out of high school, I felt accomplished but as if I missed out on knowing my class as well as I could have. If future Franklin pointed out all the…

As a queer person, it's sometimes tough to find religious spaces that feel like they actually accommodate us for all parts of who we are. Finding a church community often means grappling with significant trauma and pain caused by such groups. As a…

Since I realized I was trans, I knew that being rejected by my family was inevitable. It's been about a year since my father formally decided to disown me and ex-communicate me almost completely. His version of devout Christianity just didn't have…

Growing up, I didn't have a lot of exposure to LGBT books, fiction or non-fiction. Every reference was treated with a great deal of sterility and distance if not complete dismissal. So to find out we had an entire little library on campus dedicated…

This is my Chimarrão mug next to my backyard fireplace. Chimarrão is a indigenous tea from my home region of south Brasil. It's immensely popular and is often shared and passed around at parties and other gatherings. For me, it represents what I…

That small red smudge is a cardinal that had been resting on the vine covered awning outside the Arboretum. I believe that if you create the space for beauty and love, then beauty and love will flourish. Even if some beautiful things are fleeting,…

The Arboretum represents the most valuable thing the GVSU campus provides me: a space to learn, grow, and build communities. The Arboretum is essentially a park, a place for plants to grow and animals and students to congregate. It's simple places…

This is the concrete walkway that connects the English buildings to the rest of campus. I make use of it almost every weekday as I shuffle between my English classes in Lake Huron Hall and my history classes in Mackinac. It's invaluable to me, but it…

Many of you will recognize GVSU's Laker store and the kiosk to pay for campus parking. For me, this photo represents why I've struggled to really feel like I belong to any sort of broader GVSU community and why campus has always felt slightly hostile…

When I am walking home from my sorority chapter meeting on Sunday night, I pass by all of the church services happening in this building. I hear the large groups of voices, singing and observing their religion. I always knew that the Jewish community…

Mezuzahs are often found outside of doors in Jewish spaces. They are there as a reminder that you are entering a holy space and should act accordingly. When I am in my hometown, I see many of these. Being in a new environment here at GVSU with not as…

Distortions and internal conflicts and challenges that disrupt my sense of belonging. A fractured identity struggling to connect the pieces to the larger puzzle. Rejection, judgment, exclusion not only from others but especially myself. A sense of…