The summer series for the Circle of the Word program at the Montgomery County Jail will be stories from Genesis. We will learn five stories about two strong women of faith, Sarah and Hagar. Sarah is the founding mother of the Jewish and Christian faiths. She was Abraham’s wife and Isaac’s mother. Hagar is the founding mother of the Islamic faith. She was Sarah’s slave and Ishmael’s mother.

I want to gain some understanding of these stories from the Islamic perspective as well as Jewish and Christian. On a recent trip to New York I met a young Muslim woman who told me some about them and is going to recommend resources for further study. Anyone reading this who can help, I would welcome your insights and recommendations.