ING

Presentations Catalog: Higher Education

From two-year colleges and four-year universities to research institutions, ING has presented to thousands of students and faculty in Bay Area institutions of higher education. ING guest speakers are ideal for supplementing and enhancing courses in History, Religious Studies, Humanities, Education and Global Studies. Preparing students with a global education to succeed in the 21st century requires an awareness and understanding of religious diversity.

ING offers the following valuable educational resources to enhance and supplement student learning about Islam and other major world religions and cultures. The following catalog provides a comprehensive listing of presentations available for order for higher education institutions. In addition, you can scroll down to see a variety of different tools and resources that are available to higher education faculty and administrators to teach about Islam and world religions.

As a non-profit organization, these services are available at no charge to schools, colleges and universities.

Interactive Onsite Presentations About Muslims and Their Beliefs and Practices

In light of the ongoing conflicts worldwide and the threat of terrorism that continues to be reported in today's media, it is important for students to meet American Muslims, interact with them and have open dialogue to improve the understanding of the Muslim world. ING offers educators the opportunity to invite American Muslims who are certified speakers to visit your classrooms. Upon your request, they will deliver presentations that are designed to supplement a wide range of studies from World History and Islam to Comparative Religions and Women's Studies.

The following presentations are available and can be 45, 60 or 90 minutes long. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end in a Q & A session.

Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith - In addition to providing a review of Muslim practices, this updated presentation looks at the contemporary issues of moderation and women’s rights as well as the relation of Islam to other world religions, including Judaism and Christianity.

Islamic Contributions to Civilization – This engaging presentation reviews various aspects of culture and knowledge which Muslims contributed or passed on, including food, clothing, furniture, music, architecture, math, medicine, astronomy and more.

The History of Muslims in the United States – To supplement your U.S. History courses, consider this fascinating account of the lives and legacies of America’s earliest Muslims, including enslaved West Africans, early converts to Islam and Muslim immigrants.

Muslim Women in the United States and Around the World – In this presentation, students learn about the role of women in Islam and important Muslim women in history and the modern world. Suitable for courses related to women studies, world religions and civil rights.

To invite an ING speaker to your classroom, complete the online request form. Or, call ING at 408.296.7312, and ask for Henry Millstein to schedule a presentation.

Interfaith panels representing the five major world religions

Interfaith speaker panels are ideal for enhancing student learning where the subjects of world history, comparative religions, culture and/or diversity are part of the curriculum. Consider combining several classes of students and hosting a panel in a lecture hall. Certified speakers currently represent Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism.

The Interfaith Speakers Bureau offers two types of panels. Choose a panel with up to five interfaith speakers who provide an introduction to each of their religions and address a topic of your choice; or, request the Muslim and Jewish panel for an overview of these two religions and their commonalities and shared interests as Americans. To learn more about the this program, please visit Interfaith Speakers Bureau.

To invite an interfaith panel to your classroom, complete the online request form, or, call ING at 408.296.7312, and ask for Henry Millstein.

Teaching About Religion: Do's and Don'ts

Questions and Answers Regarding Teaching About Religion in Public Schools

Source: A Teacher’s Guide to Religion in the Public Schools, First Amendment Center.

Is it constitutional to teach about religion? Read more.

ING and the First Amendment Center

For more information, please refer to "Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in Public Schools, 2007 Revision" by Charles C. Haynes and Oliver Thomas. This publication can be downloaded from the First Amendment Center website. Read more.

Calendar of Important Islamic Dates

2012-2013 CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT ISLAMIC DATES

Recognizing these important dates not only brings awareness of the diversity within the student population, but also instills pride in Muslim students who celebrate them. Muslim students may be embarrassed or shy to acknowledge these practices or holidays, which are not yet a part of the dominant American culture. We hope this information will be useful. Read more.

Ramadan Information Sheet

Joining more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world
AMERICAN MUSLIMS WILL OBSERVE THE MONTH-LONG FAST OF RAMADAN
BEGINNING AUGUST 1st, 2011

Introduction
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on a 12 month lunar year of approximately 354 days. Because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year, each lunar month moves 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 solar years for the lunar months to complete a full cycle and return to the same season. This year, the month long fast of Ramadan is set to begin on Monday, August 1st, 2011. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the sighting of the first crescent of the new moon. Starting on August 10th, Muslims throughout the United States and the rest of the world will begin to search the sky for the new crescent, or in some cases, they will follow a pre-determined date based on astronomical calculation. Read more.

Hajj Information Sheet

Joining more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world
AMERICAN MUSLIMS WILL CELEBRATE EID AL-ADHA
(FESTIVAL OF THE SACRIFICE) ON NOVEMBER 6, 2011*

Introduction
American Muslims join millions of Muslims from around the world to prepare for a journey of a lifetime and take part in the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. The basic acts of Hajj last for five days during the 12th month of the lunar Islamic calendar called Dhul-Hijjah. Read more.

Islamic New Year Information Sheet

November 26th, 2011 will mark a new year in the Islamic calendar, which commences the year 1432 A.H. The Islamic calendar dates back to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E. (Common Era), which is known as the Hijra. The Hijra marks a turning point in the history of Islam; the importance of this event is reflected in the fact that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, rather than the birth of the Prophet Muhammad or the first Qur’anic revelation in 610 C.E. Read more.