Hazzan Neil Blumofe of Congregation Agudas Achim expressed the Jewish perspective. One of the main points Hazzan Blumofe made was that the "brit" or the covenant was constructed by Abraham. Abraham showed his willingness to spread his message even in the way he located his tent. He had a tent with all sides open so that he could welcome anyone who approached his tent.

Furthermore, his readiness to experience the full message is evident in his response to God. God calls to Abraham, he responds "Hi neyni (Here I am)". One issue that is heavily emphasized in the Torah is infertility. Prophet Abraham was tested on the sacrifice of his son; a son who was waited for many years.

Prof. Whitney Bodman of the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary expressed the Christian view. He pointed out that the New Testament does not make sense without the Old Testament. So Abraham is central to the Christian faith.

Faith plays a central part in Christian belief. Prof. Bodman explains: "There is a parallel between the willingness of Jesus to sacrifice himself and Abraham's sacrifice. By faith, both Jesus and Abraham showed willingness to sacrifice. Hence, Abraham is a part of our salvation history. Our experience without him does not make sense. By faith, Abraham fulfilled his pilgrimage, by faith we are following him. Similarly, by faith Jesus sacrificed himself for our salvation, by faith we are following him. So by faith, Abraham offered to sacrifice his only son."

Abraham is the model pilgrim. Especially, first settlers in America had the same spirit as he did. In large, the way to understand life is by pilgrimage. One is alien in the land through which he travels. Life truly turns into a pilgrimage if one is in it but not of it.

Prof. Bodman pointed out that with an intriguing and provocative mind, one can learn many new aspects in Abraham's story even only by looking at the Christian version. "All of us here today, appreciate and value Abraham deeper than we used to. We should realize that there is a variety of perspectives," says Prof. Bodman.

Imam Zubeyr Safak of the Houston Anatolia Mosque expressed the Muslim perspective: Abraham is one of the frequently mentioned messengers in the Quran. He is mentioned 69 times, Moses being the most repeated prophet. According to the Islamic view, Abraham is not only a messenger but also the ancestor of Muhammad.

In his sleep, Abraham saw a vision in which he was ordered to sacrifice his son. Both Abraham and his son Ishmael were obedient to God. The replacement of Ishmael with a ram signifies the abolishment of human sacrifice which was a practice before the time of Abraham.

Abraham is central to two (out of five) pillars of Islam: the five daily prayers and the pilgrimage. Muslims call Abraham's name forty times a day in every time zone at any given time. Also Muslims face the structure, the Ka'aba which he built. Circum-ambulating around the Ka'aba is a requirement for Muslim pilgrims. Also during the Hajj, Muslims practice a ritual signifying Hagar's (Abraham's wife) search for water for her son Ishmael in the desert. Moreover, a ritual sacrifice (tribute to the sacrifice of Ishmael) marks the end of Hajj.