|
||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| |
||||||||||||||||
|
 |
||||||||
|
ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ITS AFFECTS ING News & Information, 11/27/07 In this edition:
ING Speakers Supplement the Study of Islam in Social Sciences & World History, 11/12/-11/21/07 ING speakers delivered presentations to fourteen schools in Oakland, Piedmont, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Milpitas and Salinas, addressing over 600 students on topics relating to the study of Islam and Muslims in the context of world history and social sciences. At Piedmont Middle School where two ING speakers visited for the 12th year in a row, the teachers requested a more personalized insight into what it means to be a Muslim in everyday life. Since they already had a fairly solid grasp of the history of Islam's formation, the students were most interested in how Muslims practice their faith in the United States and how religion and culture mesh for individual Muslims. They asked, for example, how Muslims manage to pray while at school or work and what Muslims fasting during the month of Ramadan do when they get hungry, as well as a wealth of questions about Islamic rituals. One of the teachers wrote: “What an awesome presentation!!! Thank you so much for coming to our classes! Both classes had great things to say about the presentation, and we are very appreciative of your donated time. Wonderful, wonderful!!!” ING Participates in Service at First United Methodist Church of Napa, 11/18/07 An ING speaker took part in a Sunday service at the First United Methodist Church of Napa on Sunday, November18th, delivering part of the sermon, and opening and closing with a prayer. The invitation was part of an effort by the Church led by Pastor Doug Monroe to reach out to local Muslims, and promote understanding between the faiths, a goal that is very much part of the Church’s mission to “unconditionally welcome all people in greater Napa wherever they are on their faith journey.” The theme of the service reflected the Thanksgiving holiday, which they continued to celebrate in the spirit of interfaith in the evening at a local synagogue. The ING representative opened the service with Qur’an Chapter2, verse 177, which stresses that righteousness is not in rituals, but in the sharing of one’s wealth with the poor and needy, and the doing of good deeds. This theme was repeated throughout the service, and echoed by the pastor as he spoke against the current oppression that often targets the marginalized and poor in the world. The Muslim representative concluded with a prayer for all faiths to work towards upholding the Golden Rule and working to heal a broken world. ING Speakers Training at Legacy Institute in Indiana, 11/17/07 ING’s president, Maha ElGenaidi conducted a speakers training at the Legacy Institute in Indiana on Saturday, November 17th. The Institute is an educational organization which promotes Islamic literacy of Muslims. As part of its outreach program, it intends to form a local speakers’ bureau affiliated with ING. To this end, ING organized an all-day speakers training that included an overview of its four school presentations, answers to frequently asked questions about Islam and Muslims, and First Amendment Center guidelines on how to teach about religion in the public square. The training was well attended and received by the attendees, who were mostly young people interested in conveying a more authentic picture of what it means to be a Muslim today. ING welcomes Indiana to its pool of potential bureaus, and wishes it much success. To arrange for a speakers training in your local community, please contact the ING office at 408-296-7312. Sonoma State Panel on Islamophobia and its Affects, 11/16/07 ING’s founding member, Ameena Jandali took part in a panel discussion on the current vilification of Islam and Muslims in a class on Comparative Religions at Sonoma State University on Friday, November 16th. The panel consisted of activists from various faith backgrounds speaking about the treatment of Muslims by their co-religionists and the media. Many of the speakers touched on how the so-called, War on Terror has opened the door to the demonization of an entire population, with all too often negative consequences in terms of deteriorating civil rights and other abuses. The panelists also emphasized the importance in a democracy for the majority to insure the rights of the minority who do not enjoy the same status. Ameena provided an inside perspective on how Muslims have become the last acceptable group to stereotype and bash. She challenged the generally accepted “Clash of Civilizations” theory by pointing out the many contributions Muslims had made to Europe. The panel was followed by a lively Q and A session that further explored related issues, and opened the eyes of many of the attendees. ING and JCRC Common Ground Series “Perspectives on the Environment,” 11/14/07 In the second of ING and JCRC Common Ground Speakers Series, titled “Perspectives on the Environment,” ING’s Ameena Jandali and Rabbi Cooper of Kehilla Synagogue presented their faith’s views of environmental stewardship on Wednesday, November 14th. The presentation on the Islamic view began by enumerating the many Qur’an verses and prophetic sayings that emphasize the concept of human’s responsibility for caring for the earth that has been entrusted to them under their stewardship, and the injunctions to use resources wisely without wasting or resorting to excess. The presentation also included the many ways that individuals or organizations can mitigate the effects of global warming and other ecological problems. As an example, Ameena referenced ING’s environment friendly policy as follows: http://www.ing.org/environment_friendly_policy.asp Rabbi Cooper emphasized the Jewish concept of “Bal Tashchit,” which derives from a verse in Deuteronomy, 20: 19-20, that prohibits destroying trees during a siege. He explained how that concept can be applied to today’s problem of ecological destruction, and how we can think of Bal Tashchit as a societal step to heal the world. Attendees, many of whom had an interest or background in environmental fields shared their perspectives and ideas for how each one of us can do our part in addressing this critical threat to our world. The third and last in the ING and JCRC Common Ground Speakers Series will focus on a discussion of the celebrations of Eid al Adha and Chanukah on Wednesday, December 12th from 7:00 – 9:00. For more information, go to: http://ing.org/events/events.asp?num=555. All are welcome – please RSVP to ING’s Interfaith Coordinator, Yasmine Khan at Yasmine@ing.org. “Orientation on Islam and Muslims” for Sons in Retirement (SIR), 11/14/07 Maha Elgenaidi delivered an Orientation on Islam and Muslims to the Sons in Retirement group on Wednesday, November 14th to an audience of over 250 attendees in Mountain View. The presentation was the third time for a SIR group from ING with a fourth presentation coming up in January. SIR is a non-profit public benefit corporation for retired men in Central through Northern California that assists men in renewing old friendships and making new friends through various activities. The Orientation on Islam and Muslims which followed lunch was met with appreciation and numerous questions, particularly relating to the Shi’a-Sunni conflict in Iraq, and issues relating to religious extremism. Audience members were also interested in how Muslim Americans were preventing extremism in their community, and whether there was a conflict between being a Muslim and an American, which they were assured is no different than being an American of any faith. The participant’s genuine interest in learning more about Muslims and challenging preconceived notions about Islam was heartening, and underscores the importance of face-to-face encounters with real live Muslims as the best way to promote understanding and mutual respect. ING appreciates and applauds organizations such as SIR who are making every effort to understand contemporary issues from all perspectives. “Orientation on Islam and Muslims” at Delta Kappa Gamma, 11/14/07 An ING speaker addressed a group of women educators affiliated with the Delta Kappa Gamma Society at an evening meeting in Castro Valley on Wednesday, November 14th. The monthly meeting generally includes a topic of interest followed by dinner, and the organizer of the event had been motivated to invite a speaker that would shed some light on Islam and its teachings after hearing another ING presenter. The presentation focused on the basics of Islam, which for most of the attendees was the first time they had been exposed to the topic. As all the attendees were either teachers or administrators, they had a special interest in learning about a faith that is often demonized, especially those with Muslim students in their classrooms. They were extremely excited to have this opportunity, which they expressed with a lot of enthusiasm at the beginning and conclusion of the presentation. 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 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 Keep the Diversity, Seek the Harmony 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 |
 |
||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright