Photo by Bidez Photography

Marist School was recognized for its interfaith efforts with the local Muslim community.

On Nov. 2, the Catholic school was presented with the 2013 “Building Bridges Award.” The DeKalb County Public Library also received the award.

The goal of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta is to help build bridges through knowledge and understanding. Each year the organization presents their “Building Bridges Awards” to individuals and organizations in the Atlanta area who have made significant contributions toward interfaith and multicultural understanding.

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta is a nonprofit, educational organization that provides certified Muslim speakers to promote awareness about Islam and Muslims.

Marist School has invited the ISB to provide regular speakers to talk about the Muslim community and religions each school year as part of their curriculum and also participates in programs that promote an inclusive environment including the annual High School Model Arab League and the “Peace by Piece” program.

The DeKalb County Public Library is part of a national effort to offer a “Muslim bookshelf,” providing a collection of books, films, and other resources to introduce the community to trustworthy information about the complex history, culture and beliefs of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world.

The awards dinner took place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center.