TOPEKA, Kansas — Earlier this month, a group of 12 Muslims from Topeka traveled to the Wabaunsee County town of Alta Vista for a return visit with members and clergy from six United Methodist churches in an effort to bring about interfaith understanding. The June 7 visit originated from a similar exchange nearly a year ago, when members of several United Methodist Church congregations in the Wabaunsee County vicinity took an educational visit to the Islamic Center of Topeka, 1115 S.E. 27th. The June trip to Alta Vista allowed local Muslims to discuss their beliefs with those of the Christian faith. The Topeka Muslims also were able to answer questions and dispel misconceptions about their religion several weeks before the start of the 30-day Ramadan observance, which will begin with the sighting of the next new moon on Saturday, June 28. Deidre Hazim, a member of the Islamic Center of Topeka and wife of Imam Omar Hazim, said the group of local Muslims traveled to Alta Vista to “break bread” with the Rev. Sandra K. Moore and members of United Methodist churches’ clergy and congregation. Hazim said the day began with a welcome by Moore. Hazim said Moore “reminded everyone of the visit the church clergy had made to the Islamic Center of Topeka in 2013, where they had received such a heartfelt welcome, and looked forward ...      Read more