In Belgrade, Serbia, St. Sava’s Temple is hard to miss - its large dome with a golden cross makes it visible from far distances. It is also enormous - many believe it is the largest Orthodox church in the world. It should have no trouble filling up, as Serbia’s population is overwhelmingly Orthodox.

St. Sava’s size and Byzantine style architecture reminds me of many of the great churches of Europe. But there is something about St. Sava’s that is different - it is still under construction.

Planning for the temple began in 1894, but war after war in the 20th century halted construction. As the country sought to rebuild after each conflict - the most recent in the late 1990s - finishing the church was not typically at the top of the list. Finally work is underway again.

If you want to see for yourself, take a look at the (very amateur) video I uploaded on YouTube.

What do you think of this dedication? Is it good to finish what was started, or are there other pressing needs for a rebuilding nation to focus on?

Read more about Michelle’s trip at America.gov’s By the People blog.

Photographer Harry Hazari posted this photo to our “Islam is…” Flikr site.

President Obama speaks at Cairo University June 4.

Marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid-ul-Fitr, Obama extended his congratulations to Muslims around the world. He also said he is working to ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations, known as zakat. It is one of the pillars of Islam.

During Eid, “Muslims remember those less fortunate, including those impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease. Throughout the month, Muslim communities collect and distribute zakat-ul-fitr so that all Muslims are able to participate in this day of celebration,” he said. “As I said in Cairo, my Administration is working to ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations not just during Ramadan, but throughout the year.” A transcript of the President’s speech in Cairo in several languages is available here.

The full statement is available on the White House Web site.

Being able to talk about sensitive or controversial things can be difficult—that’s why I love the movies. It isn’t easy to sit down with someone and listen openly to a viewpoint directly opposite your own. But watching a movie about the same topic gives us a chance to explore other people’s thoughts and experiences without feeling the need to defend our own point of view.

Here in Washington, we’re fortunate to have the DC Shorts Film Festival, which just wrapped up its sixth year of showcasing short films created by moviemakers from around the world. Some featured first-time filmmakers and actors, while others included people you might recognize from major TV shows and Hollywood blockbusters. The films ranged from the wacky and lighthearted to the dramatic and tense. Some of the most thought-provoking films were the ones that discussed religion and tolerance.

One film profiled the journey of a female Muslim soldier, who became an example to other women in the American-Muslim community. Another film, “The Road to Tel-Aviv,” is a heart-wrenching look at the complicated reality of religion and identity for Arabs and Jews in Israel—and the devastating consequences of choosing one bus over the other. Many of these movies highlighted how issues we face are not simply a question of right or wrong—rather the truth rests somewhere in a very intertwined middle.

Not every film was tense and dramatic—some got you thinking even while you were laughing. One film about a young American-Muslim college student’s anxiety over asking out a cute guy managed to get audiences thinking about a broader reality for young Muslims while laughing at the slapstick pitfalls she encountered on her college campus. And a satiric look at the history of the Middle East through an argument over a plate of hummus got an important point across by forcing the audience to take a second look at both sides of a serious issue.

And in the end, for me that’s what movies are all about: making you feel emotion, showing you things you’ve never seen or thought about and giving you a chance to escape into someone else’s reality; whether it’s for two hours or only five minutes.

www.dcshorts.com

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, President Obama issued a video greeting to Jews around the world. “Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year – a time of humble prayer, joyful celebration, and hope for a new beginning,” Obama said.

The new year is a time to rededicate oneself to resisting intolerance and prejudice, Obama said. “Let us stand up strongly to the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world,” he said.

The video and a transcript in multiple languages is available on the White House Web site. Obama gave a similar video greeting for Ramadan.

Check out this photo that Jon aka Boris Earth posted to the “Islam Is…” flikr site.

Thoughts?

Photographer Noushad Akambadam, from Saudi Arabia, sumbitted this photo:

Show us what “Islam is…” in your view.

Secretary Clinton hosted an Iftar dinner at the State Department on September 15. You can view the video here.

“This time of self-reflection and clarity reminds us that the principles that are the hallmark of Ramadan – charity, sacrifice, and compassion – are also values we cherish as Americans,” Clinton said. “They guide us towards good stewardship of our families, our communities, our country, and our world.”

She added, “we recognize that the relationship between the United States and Muslim communities has at times suffered from misunderstanding and misperception. But we are committed to learning and listening; to creating bridges of understanding and respect; and building stronger bonds of cooperation. We believe that there is more that unites people of all faiths than divides us.”

Check out this photo by Phil Marion from Toronto, Canada.

Thoughts? Sumbit your photos that finsih the phrase “Islam is…”

Here’s photographer Antonio Rino Gastaldi visual answer to the question: Islam is…

Send us photos about what “Islam is…” to you.