Diane Christman currently serves as a senior vice president of a national non-profit organization and has previously held executive positions for organizations like the Denver Public Library and the Denver Dumb Friends League. Having received her B.A. in Speech Communications from Colorado State University, she also holds an M.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Denver.

“I admire the Hizmet Movement because I really strongly believe in the core tenants; tolerance, dialogue, interfaith dialogue, service and education. And I think that anytime you can gather a large group of people around those kinds of core focuses and core values that that’s always a positive and good thing.”

“My understanding of Islam is that it’s a warm and giving and loving religion, and I think that if you look at the core values of the Hizmet Movement that they align perfectly with Islam, and any religion for that matter and any kind of 21st century person.”

“As a Western person and a person exposed to the Western media and press I think that the differences that I see most often from the Hizmet Movement and other religious or social movements in the Muslim world, of course, is an emphasis on discussion, dialogue, tolerance, interfaith and a willingness to be open and to share this and a willingness to welcome people from outside the Muslim faith into the world of Hizmet and to share broader understanding of the core values.”

Dr. Maureen McCormack is a Sister of Loretto. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Education from University of Denver. McCormack is currently a Board member and Executive Committee member of The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. She also serves on the National Interfaith Alliance Board and on the Eco-Justice Ministry Board. She received many awards including the Loretto Humanitarian Award for significant contributions to social justice and humanitarian causes.

“I met a number of people who are part of Hizmet Movement. I am very impressed with them. They are very hospitable, kind, gentle people and reaching out to all kinds of people throughout the world. It was quite impressive.”

“I also appreciated he talks about hearts becoming wide like the ocean and he speaks about in terms of people accepting about all traditions and all peoples. I think the fact that they learn so much from people of other traditions. They are very open to all the people.”

“I think it’s such a gift to the world that the people in the Hizmet Movement dialogue with people of all faith traditions. Because they are so open. I find them just amazingly interested in compassion to all people.”