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KEEP THE DIVERSITY, SEEK THE HARMONY ING News & Information – Update 10/2/07 Upcoming Events: *TONIGHT: Keep the Diversity, Seek the Harmony: An Interfaith Celebratory Collaboration, http://ing.org/events/events.asp?num=544 *REGISTER ONLINE: ING’s Annual Dinner with Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed scholar of world religions, regular commentator for NPR’s Marketplace, Middle East analyst for CBS News, regular guest on Meet the Press, Daily Show and Hardball, and author of No god, but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam. http://www.ing.org/events/events.asp?num=535 In this edition:
ING Speakers Dialogue in Bay Area Wide Ramadan Open Houses, 9/29 & 9/30/07 On Saturday and Sunday, September 29th and 30th, ING speakers delivered presentations & dialogued with audiences at Ramadan open houses held across the Bay Area, including the Islamic Society of the East Bay in Fremont, the Cordoba Center Mosque in San Martin, the Muslim Community Association of the Peninsula (Yaseen Foundation) in Belmont and the Livermore Islamic Center. All the events were well organized and attended by hundreds of Americans of all faiths coming together to break bread and dialogue in peaceful conversations and to gain a different view and understanding of one another. At the Cordoba Center in San Martin, which has been the subject of some controversy due to a few neighbors who’ve initiated a campaign against the mosque, ING’s president, Maha Elgenaidi joined CAIR-Northern California’s board member, Athar Siddiqee to describe Islam and the historical roots of Muslims in America and today’s Muslim political & social environment. This was followed by a 45 minute long conversation with the 200+ audience members addressing questions on familiar topics concerning Muslims in America. Among the other speakers and guests were the mayors of Morgan Hill, Hollister & Gilroy, city council members, faith leaders from the Catholic, Methodist and Anglican traditions, school board members and other dignitaries. At the Islamic Society of East Bay mosque in Fremont, ING ‘s Ameena Jandali joined Saker Ghani in a similar event, which was attended by dignitaries that included the former and current mayors of Fremont, city council members, members of Fremont’s Human Relations Commission, and other city, school and hospital officials. At the Yaseen Foundation in Belmont, Maha Elgenaidi was joined by Imam Abdu-Rahman Anwar and the president of Yaseen Foundation in a similar presentation and question and answer session with an audience of about 80 Americans of other faiths. At the Islamic Center in Livermore event, Ameena Jandali was joined by the mosque’s imam and mayor of Livermore who expressed his appreciation for the event and the opportunity to network with his Muslim neighbors. The four open houses were part of a Bay Area wide campaign organized by CAIR & Bay Area Mosques to encourage Islamic institutions to use the opportunity of Ramadan to reach out to their neighbors for dialogue and conversation. These events are a milestone in the maturation and development of mosques, both in the level of organization and execution, and the participation of respected community members, including city officials. All of the events were the result of weeks of planning and hard work, which was evidenced by the large turn-out and participation. The success of these events is a tribute to the community’s dedication to outreach, interfaith, and promoting understanding. Congratulations to all the nine Bay Area mosques who took the initiative to hold an open house this Ramadan, and to all those who made the effort to come out and meet their Muslim neighbors! ING Takes Part in Holy Convergence: An Interfaith Festival for Families, 9/30/07 On September 30, ING's Interfaith Coordinator, Yasmine Khan, attended a Holy Convergence event at Peace Lutheran Church in Danville. Titled an "Interfaith Festival for Families," the program was a celebration of a number of significant faith holidays and traditions, including Ramadan (Islam), the Feast of St. Francis (Christianity), High Holy Days (Judaism), Diwali and Gandhi's birthday Hinduism), Indigenous People's Day, In Love with Life Season (Buddhism and the Baha'i faith), and World Communion Sunday (Protestant Christianity). Presented by Interfaith-San Ramon Valley (composed of two dozen faith organizations and congregations), the afternoon program included interfaith panel discussions, music in the sanctuary, activities for youth and children, food and booths in the front courtyard, and a closing ceremony complete with interfaith blessings. ING Speakers Address Claremont Middle School Students, Oakland, 9/28/07 "Inquisitive" is probably the best word to describe the students at Claremont Middle School, where two ING speakers, Ameena Jandali and Adeel Iqbal delivered ING’s Orientation on Islam and Muslims in the context of World History and Social Sciences to six different seventh grade social studies classes for a total of about 180 students on Friday, September 28th. The students were highly engaged in the presentations, plying the speakers with dozens of questions, some based on their own experience with Muslims, others from the readings, and even television. The students had numerous misconceptions, particularly relating to the treatment of women, where students asked the speaker if her husband ruled over her, and why Muslim wives are mistreated? With the rise in negative coverage of Muslims and a concerted effort to demonize Muslims in many sectors, the impact of this increasingly vigorous campaign is showing its effects. However, Muslims themselves are often to blame for propagating their own stereotypes through their misbehavior, as was evidenced by some of the student’s questions. This illustrates the need, as never before, for trained and qualified speakers to clarify the teachings and practices of Islam in an objective, honest manner. Conversing with a real live Muslim American seemed to make a big difference in their understanding of the subject matter. Many of the students came up to say "Thank you. I learned a lot," at the end of the day. ING Speakers Deliver Presentations to Bay Area High Schools, 9/26/07 ING speakers Ismael Nass-Duce and Farhan Syed visited two Bay Area high schools on Wednesday, September 26th. Ismael visited Oak Grove High School in San Jose in the afternoon, where he delivered an Orientation on Islam and Muslims to two full classes of 10th grade students. Farhan Syed visited Bay High School in San Francisco early Wednesday morning to participate in the school’s assembly, where he delivered a personal reflection on the significance of Ramadan and fasting in the U.S. The Bay School is a charter school that focuses on spirituality, and the event was part of “Ramadan Day", when students skipped lunch to experience fasting. Farhan spoke about the challenges of fasting while living one’s regular daily life, which really struck a chord with the students, who asked about fasting while playing sports, fasting while in space (a Muslim astronaut has been in the news) and the best diet to remain healthy while fasting. After the talk, the school principal and chaplain thanked Farhan, commenting that the talk was "perfect," and that they can't wait to have a speaker come during Ramadan next year. ING Participates in International Day of Peace Interfaith Prayer Service, 9/20/07 On Thursday, September 20, ING's Interfaith Coordinator, Yasmine Khan, joined representatives of different religions for an International Day of Peace Interfaith Prayer Service at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose. The prayer service focused on global peace and nonviolence in alignment with the United Nations International Day of Peace and global cease-fire. Yasmine participated in a meeting beforehand, which discussed the South Bay interfaith community's work for peace and non-violence and the upcoming Parliament of the World's Religions. Subsequently she joined clergy and lay leaders from several traditions in a procession and in offering a Muslim prayer for peace. Rev. Paul Chaffee from the Interfaith Center at the Presidio delivered the keynote, followed by an inspirational talk from CSE's Rev. Ellen Grace O'Brian. Yasmine's prayer exalted God and glorified Him before making a supplication for contentment and guidance. ING’s President & Interfaith Coordinator Participate in Interfaith Leaders Gathering in San Francisco, 9/06/07 ING’s President, Maha Elgenaidi, and Interfaith Coordinator, Yasmine Khan were two of over 60 participants from the diverse interfaith associations and projects of the Bay Area to take part in a gathering early last month on September 6th at St. Mary's Cathedral for a daylong conversation on "The Changing Face of Religion in Northern California." Dr. Jerome Baggett of the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley gave an insightful analysis of changing patterns in religious communities. The most important aspect of the event however was the opportunity for religious leaders in the area to engage in day-long conversations with each other about the challenges that face us all. This was the first effort to hold such a gathering, and plans are already in process to gather again next year. Thank You for Your Support! To continue to support ING’s educational outreach and bridge-building, contribute online: https://www.ing.org/donate/ Community Releases Archive . . .  Shana Tova and Eid Mubarak! ING Interfaith Statement for One America A Call to Action: Join ‘Muslim Serve’ National Campaign for Service & Understanding on 9/11 “Muslim Serve”/ING Improves Perceptions of Islam and Muslims Preventing Bullying & Harassment, Back to School and Park51 NYC Mosque ING President participates in meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan Responding to 'Draw Muhammad Day' ING Participates in Federal Government Meetings ING Condemns NYC Plot and Supports Efforts against Extremism A Conversation about Education Reform with the U.S. Department of Education Can you have religious freedom without limiting free speech? ING Statements on Religious Expression in American Public Life/Church Attacks in Malaysia ING Statement on Church Attacks in Malaysia Thank you for your continuing support! Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and New Year ING Statement on Religious Extremism Guide to Preventing Hate Crimes and Reporting Harassment ING Condemns Deadly Attack at Ft. Hood Thank You for Making ING's Annual Supporters Dinner a Success ING Breaks Fast with Secretary Clinton ING Accredited by the Better Business Bureau ING Participates in ISNA July 4th Weekend in D.C. ING Reaches Over 20,000 People in 2008-2009 Academic Year ING Welcomes President Obama's Speech in Cairo ING Statement on Alleged Terrorist Plot in NYC ING Hosting Faiths Act Fellows Become an ING Intern or Join ING Team of Volunteers American Muslims Call for Swift Action Against Domestic Violence Silcon Valley Interfaith Leaders Endorse Declaration for Peace on M.E. Crisis Celebrating a Historic Inauguration and Martin Luther King's Legacy Humanitarian Aid in Gaza Blessed Eid, and Interfaith Forums American Muslims Condemn Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai Thank you to our friends and supporters! Action-Alert: Anti-Muslim Film Obsession Mailed to California Residents Back to School at ING & Ramadan Kit ING's Cultural Competency Programming for Law Enforcement Muslim Women Clerics Play Indispensable Role ING "Interfaith Speakers Bureau" Panels Muslim Scholars Back Call for Interfaith Dialogue In Qatar, Muslim, Jewish Clerics Meet New ING Blog ING Recognition Awards for Educators Responding to and Preventing Hate in Public Schools The Bible in Islam: Stories of Shared Prophets Global Warming: Muslim American Responsibility & Response Muslim Professionals & the Not-For-Profit Sector Feminism in Islam Intergroup Muslim and Jewish Conflict Transformation Program Roots of Islam in America through Enslaved West Africans Afghan American Muslim Outreach Saturday, Feb 16th Speakers Bureau Training ING's Outstanding Pen Award for Inter-Religious Understanding ING's Healthcare Cultural Competency Presentations Speakers Training & Women in Religion Dialogue Professional Teacher Staff Development Interfaith Speakers Bureau Training Tonight - 1/23/07 Upcoming Speakers Training Workshops Highlights of Fall Semester Educating for Religious Literacy & Mutual Respect Islam & HIV/AIDS ING Statement on the British Teacher in Sudan Islamophobia and its Affects Coexistence through Art Power of One: How One Person Can Affect Change Thank You to All Our Supporters! Answering Frequently Asked Questions About Islam Feminism & Women in Islam Islamic Contributions to Civilization Responding to "Islamo-Fascism Week" on College Campuses Call for Unity from Muslim Religious Leaders "Outstanding Philanthropist" Awards ING Speaks at Antioch Mosque Vandalism March Interfaith Prayer for Darfur & World Leaders Marching Together Against Hate and Violence in East Contra Costa County ING Joins Albany's Peace Day ING Guidelines for Hosting an Interfaith Holiday Event Illumemedia.org Interview with ING's Founder & President ING Presents to Homeland Security ING's Participation in ISNA Convention 2007 10% Increase in Presentations from Previous Year Statement from the Association of Muslim Health Professionals on Events Unfolding in the UK New Hires at ING Cultural Competency Serving Arab and Muslim American Families Preserving the First Amendment Healthcare for Muslim Patients A Call for Moral Leadership: Imagining a New Heroism Advocating Against Violence and For One Nation "Muslim Americans: Mostly Middle Class and Mainstream" Islamic Contributions to Civilization Religion in the Workplace Could Genocide Happen Here? & FBI Meeting Happy Earth Day! An Interfaith Response to a Controversial Speaker Happy Holidays from ING New Speakers Bureau in Columbus, Ohio Interfaith Dialogue Among Laity The Mosque as an American Institution ING Presentations at Bay Area Universities ING and High School Presentations in Spring 2007 Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Bay Area Conflict in the Muslim World ING Adopts an Environmental Policy ING Initiates and Participates in Interfaith Dialogues ING Reaches 25,000 Americans of Other Faiths in Bay Area ING Perspective on Holocaust Conference in Iran Thank You to All Our Supporters! ING's Muslim Mental Health Training Muslim Group Deflates Stereotypes ING Trains Police Officers in Milpitas Share in ING’s Promotion of Interfaith Dialogue and Education ING Founder Invited to U.S. State Department For Annual Iftaar ING Participates in Meaning of Ramadan Open Houses ING Featured in 9/11 Specials on PBS and KGO ING Perspective on Pope's Remarks ING Gears Up for a New School Year After ISNA Convention Organization Aims to Educate Others About Religion End of Year Totals for ING, 7/25/06 ING Responds to Arrests in Miami Spike in Requests for Presentations About Islam & Muslims from High Schools ING Summer Interns Muslim-Jewish Relations in the Bay Area ING Presentations on College Campuses ING Joins "Day of Conscience for Darfur" ING President Meets with Dalai Lama Apostasy in Islam ING Training for UCSF Nursing Department Muslim Scholars' Statement on Danish Cartoons Controversy Opinion on Danish Cartoons Published in San Jose Mercury News ING Training for Healthcare & Hospitals ING Statement Regarding Danish Cartoons Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King's Day Eid Mubarak & ING Updates in the Bay Area ING President Message to ISNA 2005 Conventioneers ING President Message to ISNA 2005 Conventioneers Role of Nationals in Terrorist Bombings National US Muslim Organizations Condemn Terrorism ING Condemns Terror Attacks in London Celebrating the Fourth of July Mukhtaran Mai's Case Opinion on Danish Cartoons Published in San Jose Mercury News - Frequently Asked Questions on Terrorism ING's Annual Community Support Dinner ING's Response to the War in Iraq ING Parent-Child Workshops: Yaseen Foundation ING Press Conference: Impact of War in Our Schools ING Parent-Child Workshops: SBIA, San Jose ING Commemorates "Day of Remembrance" ING Affiliates Conference |
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