. >> reporter: scott appleby is director of the kroc institute for international peace studies at the university of notre dame. >> there developed a variety of initiatives around the country, interfaith dialogue groups meeting together in parishes or in synagogues or in mosques. >> reporter: in syracuse, betsy wiggins says she feels like she was living in a bubble before 9/11. she was raised presbyterian and attends a united methodist church. after the 9/11 attacks, she was disturbed by reports of a backlash against local muslim women. betsy's husband, jim, had been active in interfaith efforts. at his encouragement, she called the imam at the local mosque. >> and i said, "i am ignorant about islam, far more ignorant than i want to be, and i want to do something, and i'm especially concerned about muslim women. can you tell me someone i can talk to?" >> reporter: the imam put her in touch with danya wellmon. wellmon had grown up methodist, but after a time of spiritual searching converted to islam in 1992. she says the days after 9/11 were difficult for members of her mosque. >> we di