November 13, 2013

This past Sunday, Dr. Maher Hathout, MPAC's Senior Adviser, was honored by the South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC) at their 60th Anniversary Gala for his life-long interfaith work.

Edina Lekovic, MPAC's Director of Policy and Programming, accepted the award on behalf of Dr. Hathout saying "His work in the inter-religious community is one among the closest to his heart." 

The SCIC's mission is to promote mutual understanding, respect, appreciation and cooperation among people of faith in the Greater South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach-West Orange County area by extending hospitality, fostering community, offering educational opportunities, providing moral leadership, sharing in service, serving the youth and working for justice.

This year they celebrated 60 years of being a beacon of hope and light for the community by bringing all faiths together in mutual respect and understanding. In addition to Dr. Hathout, the Rev. Dr. Peggy Price, Minister Emeritus of Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living; Nirinjan Khalsa, Executive Director of the California Sikh Council; and Rabbi David S.Lieb, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth El; were honored for the commitment and lifetime of service. 

Actor Rainn Wilson, best known for playing "Dwight" on NBC's Emmy-winning show "The Office" and co-founder of SoulPancake, a website and production company that seeks to tackle "Life's Big Questions, was the keynote speaker. Wilson is also a devout practitioner of the Baha’i faith and spoke about the universal truths that bind us all. 

In addition to the award, attendees also signed a get-well call card and held a moment of silence for Dr. Hathout, who has taken a step back due to medical concerns.