I was invited and I attended the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations (COSMOS) dinner on Feb. 9. It was truly an eye-opening experience. There were officials from federal and state agencies, as well as local, state and federal elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.

Over 250 attendees listened carefully to the keynote speaker, Florida International University President Mark B. Rosenberg, and the three Community Appreciation Award recipients: Lee Zimmerman, director of communications for WFOR-TV/CBS4 and WBFS/my TV33; John W. Kosyak, the founding partner of Kosyak Tropin Throckmorton, a Miami law firm; and Roberta Shevin, executive director for MCCJ, as they spoke passionately about community bridge building as well as justice and humanitarian practices.

I wish that the entire U.S. Congress would come to Miami-Dade County and get a sense of the bridge-building taking place in our community, where people are cherished regardless of their religion and national heritage and background.

I saw people from the various organizations like the ACLU, ADL and MCCJ, federal and state prosecutors, Muslims, Iranians, and Jews, rabbis and imams, all shaking hands, enjoying dinning and sharing laughter in the ballroom.

A sense of peace, harmony and appreciation for each other and the goal of improving our community for all were on display in the room.