Founders of interfaith women’s movement earn Pacem in Terris award

Since 1964, the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, created by the Davenport, Iowa, Interracial Council, has been presented to persons of outstanding achievement in peace and justice, not only in their own country but in the world. Former recipients have included Dorothy Day, President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr.; Dorothy Day; St. Teresa of Kolkata; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama.

This year, the 2023 award was presented to Atiya Aftab and Sheryl Olitzky, co-founders of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, a movement established to build relationships between Muslim and Jewish women. What began as a small group of 12 women has grown into 150 chapters across the U.S., Canada and England, and includes 10 youth chapters.

The award was presented to Aftab and Olitzky by Archbishop-elect Thomas Zinkula Sept. 13 at St. Ambrose University’s Rogalski Center, Davenport.

Reading from the award, Bishop Zinkula said, “It is obvious from your words and deeds that you are women deeply rooted in the spirit of peace. You both truly embody the words of Pope John XXIII as ‘a spark of light, a center of love, a vivifying leaven’ to your sisters and brothers around the world.”

Aftab, who is Muslim, is a practicing attorney, educator and activist. She is the wife of Dr. Amar Bukhari, Chair of the Ethics Committee in St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick. Olitzky, who is Jewish, is a sought-after presenter, former marketing executive, and founding executive director of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. Her husband is Rabbi Emeritus Kerry Olitzky.

In her acceptance remarks, Olitzky explained the dynamic of inter-personal contact being “among the most effective way to overcome prejudice among groups that are different,” pointing out that “for you to hear about Muslim and Jewish women in the Sisterhood and our work to make this a better world, there is potential for you, the listener, to also be changed.”

In an interview with the Catholic Spirit, Aftab spoke about the power of gathering together. “It builds a level of trust, creates a sense of peace … we are seeing things from a different experience and creating brave spaces, where we agree to disagree or change our opinions,” she said.

In the process of “getting to know someone, you see their humanity, as wife, mother, child, child of God,” she stressed. While the women talk about things like what happened during the week, the kids, or politics, the things they have in common, “the spice of it is learning how we are different.”

This knowledge often comes from sharing the important events in each of their lives – weddings, births, illness, deaths, all of which are marked with rituals.

By being present during these important religious celebrations of others of different faiths, said Aftab, “women are learning more about their own religion and learning more about themselves.” But crossing that threshold is a big step for many, she acknowledged.

In her comments following the presentation of the award, Aftab reflected, “Whether our sisters have traveled with us, participated in our programs or conferences or are members of chapters, the narratives, the conversations and the learning are life-changing – they make us see each other as humans and not just labels. We know the Sisterhood has changed lives. And we know that our common teaching from the Old Testament and the Quran is true – to save one life is to save the world.

“But what does that mean? That means that our job, our responsibility, is to take a step; take one step at a time, one good deed at a time and it makes a world of change. We do our part and God takes care of the rest. The result is not in our hands but the journey toward peace, justice and change is in our hands. Dream, but make a plan, and take a step and do not be overwhelmed with the depth of the challenge.”

The award honors St. Pope John XXIII and commemorates his 1963 encyclical letter, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), which called on all people to secure peace among all nations. The Quad City Pacem in Terris Coalition has presented the award since 1978.