Your Investments in ING at Work

Click cc on the bottom of the video to read the captions.

Click here to view feedback from a school teacher and an ING speaker after a series of assemblies at a school supplementing the study of the history of Islam and responding to questions from students on current events.

Click cc on the bottom of the video to read the captions.

Click here to view feedback after an ING Intercultural Speakers Bureau panel where our student speakers discussed the roots of Islamophobia in other forms of bigotry.

ING is Seeking Trainers, Interns, and a Programs Manager

ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi presenting before police officers

Seeking Speaker Candidates for Police Trainings on Muslim Americans
ING is seeking trainers to provide cultural competency training seminars for police in several regions of California under a grant from the state’s Peace Officers Training and Standards (POST) Commission. ING has a 25-year history of providing training seminars for police officers and our executive director, Maha Elgenaidi is a long-time advisor to POST on hate crimes and cultural diversity training. For more information and to apply, write to Programs Manager Rahimeh Ramezany at [email protected].

A few of our former ING student interns

Seeking Summer Teen Interns for Social Media Project
ING’s internship program offers a variety of opportunities to gain knowledge about non-profit management and promoting peace and increasing understanding through our various educational and interfaith programs. This year, we are placing an emphasis on interns who will work together to produce multimedia content to foster understanding of Muslims and other misunderstood groups across the country. If you’re a student looking for real-world experience, consider interning with us!

ING staff, volunteers, and friends at a recent ING event

Seeking Programs Manager to Join our Team
ING is still accepting applications for a full-time Programs and Communications Manager who will be responsible for overseeing and expanding ING’s flagship programs as well as co-managing ING’s communications channels. For more information and to apply, go here.

Thank You to Our Winter Interns From Stanford University

Our current interns from Stanford University

Interns from a Stanford University class entitled “Spirituality and Nonviolent Urban and Social Transformation” have been working at ING’s San Jose office on our police training, compiling data and creating social media campaigns that dispel stereotypes about Muslims and Islam. ING is very grateful for their work.

Past Events: A Quick View

For a quick view of our featured events in January and February 2020, visit our site:

• January: https://ing.org/past-events-january-2020/
• February: https://ing.org/past-events-february-2020/

February Highlights

From left to right, Noni Azhar, Madhu Kopalle, Berget Jelane, Katy Dickinson, Bob Frankle, and ING Programs Manager Rahimeh Ramezany speaking to counselors in San Jose

Feb 27: Shared Values Among Faiths in San Jose: Panelists presented at the Bill Wilson Counseling Center about the basics of their faith tradition and answered questions from counselors on working with patients from various religious and ethical traditions. To book an Interfaith Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan alongside interfaith leaders in San Francisco with Rabbi David Rosen

Feb. 24: New Interfaith Initiatives, Lunch with David Rosen: Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan joined a group of interfaith leaders to hear from Rabbi David Rosen, who spoke about new interfaith initiatives throughout the Middle East, including his effort to bring a joint delegation of Muslim and Jewish clergy to Auschwitz earlier this year.

From left to right, Asma, Lauryn, Emili, Isha, and Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan delivering a panel to school students in Oakland

Feb. 21: Creating Inclusive and Equitable Communities in Oakland: The panel of student ING speakers addressed the history and impact of bigotry against marginalized populations under colonialism and slavery, old and neo-orientalism, xenophobia, and internalized bigotry, concluding with calls to action to build an inclusive society. To book an Intercultural Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page. Hear from a few of the teen speakers here.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking to high school students in Rohnert Park

Feb. 18: Countering Bullying with Civility and Respect in Rohnert Park: Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan addressed underlying roots of bullying before delivering a brief presentation about Muslims and Islam. He closed with ways all students can act respectfully towards each other to promote a positive school environment. To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.

Program Manager Rahimeh Ramezany speaking to school students in Watsonville

Feb. 18: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Watsonville: Program Manager Rahimeh Ramezany provided an overview of Muslims and Islam in the context of social studies content standards and answered questions about their personal experiences as Muslim Americans living in the US today. To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page. Hear from the teacher and Rahimeh here.

From left to right, Will McGarvey, Zula Reeves, Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan, and Programs Manager Rahimeh Ramezany delivering a panel to interfaith leaders in Contra Costa

Feb. 13: Creating Inclusive and Equitable Communities in Pleasant Hill: ING staff led a panel for leaders of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County on the roots of xenophobia, bigotry, and systemic racism in the United States, and discussed their impact on themselves and on the families they work with while brainstorming strategies that we all can adopt to address these pressing issues. To book an Intercultural Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page.

Content Manager Ameena speaking to members of Oakland WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit)

Feb. 12: An Overview of the Quran: Content Manager Ameena Jandali gave an overview of the Quran in Oakland for Oakland WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit), presenting some of its basic teachings and its importance for Muslims. Speaking before an interreligious group of women, Ameena delivered a message of solidarity for peace building in our community. To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.

Content Manager Ameena Jandali speaking to students at Duke University

Feb 13: Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes & Sharia–a webinar for Duke University: Content Manager Ameena Jandali presented an overview of the status of Muslim women today in areas such as education, work, government, and the contributions of notable Muslim women both historically and today in politics, academia, sports, and other fields. She addressed some major misconceptions about Muslim women and gave an overview of Muslim organizations working for women’s rights. Ameena also presented an introduction to Sharia, dispelling the widespread misrepresentations of this central element of Muslim religion. To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking with school students in San Francisco.

Feb. 11: INGYouth Workshop in San Francisco: Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan led a Muslim teen workshop facilitating a discussion about their experiences as Muslims in their school before addressing proactive ways they can counter situations of racism and bullying. To book an INGYouth workshop, visit this page.

Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi speaking to Los Gatos Morning Rotary

Feb. 5: Islamophobia and Its Impact in Los Gatos: Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi presented on the origin of Islamophobia in colonialism and racism, discussed the current Islamophobia industry that propagates it, and dispelled misconceptions about Muslims and Islam disseminated by that industry. The audience showed a lively interest in the conversation and an eagerness to counter Islamophobic attitudes and ideas wherever they encountered them. To book a presentation on Islamophobia, visit this page.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan presenting to school students in Oakland

Feb. 5: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith & Islamophobia and Its Impact in Oakland: Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan delivered a presentation on Islamophobia and its on impact on Muslim American students, and on how to be a good ally to Muslims and other victims of bullying. He encouraged students to learn more about one another and to challenge stereotypes about minority groups in media, Hollywood, and pop culture. To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.

From left to right, Joy Aspenall, Esther Heller, Programs Manager Rahimeh Ramezany, Berget Jelane, Dilip Amin, and Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi speaking to school students in San Jose.

Feb. 4: Shared Values Among Faiths in San Jose: During this interfaith panel before an assembly of students, speakers answered questions on the basic teachings and the ethical values taught by their faith and then discussed the many things that all the traditions represented have in common. To book an Interfaith Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan presenting to school students in Los Gatos

Feb. 4: Muslim Contributions to Civilization in Los Gatos: Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan spoke at a school in Los Gatos on the history of Muslim contributions to society from the Middle Ages through the present. Students were excited to ask questions, take notes, and learn more about how Muslims contributed alongside other cultures to the world we know today. To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking with high school students in Sacramento

Feb. 1: INGYouth Workshop in Sacramento: Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan presented an INGYouth workshop in Sacramento, training Muslim high school students on how to speak effectively and knowledgeably about their faith, respond to challenging questions, and stand up to bullying and harassment. Students practiced responding to difficult questions about Muslims by creating and acting out skits. To book an INGYouth workshop, visit this page.

Upcoming Noteworthy Events

• March 1: Islamophobia and Its Impact, Stone Church of Willow Glen Presbyterian, San Jose, CA
• March 17: Intercultural Speakers Bureau Training, ING San Jose Office, San Jose, CA
• March 21: Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library, Berkeley, CA
• March 24: Intercultural Speakers Bureau Training, ING Oakland Office, Oakland, CA
• April 3: INGYouth Speaker Training Workshop, Hera Hub Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ

Please consider partnering with ING this year by donating any amount you feel comfortable giving monthly, quarterly, or annually. Thank you for your partnership.

Hope you enjoyed reading our monthly e-newsletter. Free free to give me feedback at [email protected].

Henry Millstein, PhD
Programs Analyst & Content Manager