Polovina (41) leads the community of B&H Muslims in Portland, and will graduate from his master’s degree at Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry in June. He is the first Muslim enrolled at this University.
“I was looking for a place to accept me as I am, in order for me to be the true face of Islam, even though I am not the very best follower,” said Polovina to the American newspaper ‘The Oregonian’.
In 2013, he moved to Portland where he now leads a Bosnian educational and cultural organization. He met with the leaders of the university in Seattle through interreligious dialogue hosted by the Jesuit college. Later on, a man who valued education made a step towards a valuable diploma and enrolled in a university in which he did not mind the Bible being the main focus of studies.
Abdullah said that in the beginning, he found it a bit awkward to study the Bible with other students who were almost all Christians, but he quickly managed to learn about it from his own perspective and appreciate compatibilities. He pointed out that there are many similarities between Islam and Christianity, from moral values to the key historical characters.
“I felt like at home,” says Polovina. “My faith grew stronger as well as myself as a leader.”
Students in this study program are exploring spiritual leadership, explained the Dean Mark Markuly. Lectures are designed to enhance the self-criticism, reflectivity and thoughtfulness of students by integrating their own religious heritage in the theory of leadership.
(Source: klix.ba/ stjamesCathedral)
