An IA Emerging Leader, former Interfaith Innovation Fellow, and Interfaith Leadership Summit trainer, Seedy Njie has been involved with Interfaith America for years, but growing up in Gambia as a Muslim attending a Christian school, interfaith cooperation has always been a part of his life.  

“Gambia is a 95% Muslim country, and we celebrate Easter, we celebrate Christmas,” Njie said, “So when I moved to the US, I saw that it had a name, and it was interfaith, and I was, like, ‘wait — I was already doing this!”   

Njie’s Interfaith Innovation Fellowship project, Bridges of Faith, assisted a group of minority-owned small businesses in Washington D.C. through a series of workshops and a night market that offered community members an opportunity to support them.  

In addition to this interfaith work through IA and his full-time role as a program manager at Avant Pharmacy and Wellness, Njie is also a fellow in the Abrahamic House in Washington D.C. 

Founded by interfaith activist and former Sacred Journey Fellow Mohammed Al-Samawi, the Abrahamic House is a multi-faith co-living space that hosts interfaith leaders from different faith backgrounds for one- to two-year fellowships in cities across the U.S.  

“I was attracted to the house because of the work that they do. And the work is interfaith coalition-building, interfaith conversation, dialogue, and community,” said Seedy.  

The house hosts interfaith events for participants of all faith and cultural backgrounds — from Friendsgiving potlucks to Shabbat dinners to Islamic calligraphy workshops — creating a welcoming environment for people to explore what they have in common and pursue meaningful conversations across difference.  

“Being in the Abrahamic House has taught me that people want community. People want support,” said Njie, “So, when you provide them the opportunity to come into a space that is safe and that is inclusive — and not just performative, but real inclusion; you do the real work, and not just holiday to holiday — they need to see that you’re living out these values every day.”  

Get involved with Interfaith America’s Emerging Leaders Network to read more stories from interfaith leaders like Seedy, network with young professionals in interfaith spaces, and apply for funding opportunities.