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INTERGROUP MUSLIM AND JEWISH CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM ING News & Information, 3/5/08 In this Edition:
In the News: Responding to the Obama “Muslim Smear” Campaign “Muslims say faith used as scare tactic against Obama. San Jose Group Notes Few Step Up to Condemn Strategy”, by Kim Vo San Jose Mercury, February 29, 2008 “Muslim rumors have dogged Barack Obama throughout this presidential campaign, but the political arrows flew fast and furious this week, leaving Maha ElGenaidi anxious that her community would be further wounded in the aftermath. "The outcome of this game they're playing amongst themselves is possibly tragic for Muslims in America," said ElGenaidi, founder of the San Jose-based Islamic Networks Group. American Muslims complain their faith is being used as a scare tactic, possibly inflaming prejudices already heightened by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the subsequent war and terrorist bombings. The recent ploys, leaders say, insinuate that simply being or associating with Muslims is sinister. . . . . Republicans have criticized some of the tactics, as has the National Council of Churches. Muslim leaders say while the politicians' admonishments are needed, they fall short of the full-throated defense other religions would receive. ‘They're not apologizing for the bigotry, but rather it's unstatesmanlike to insult each other,’ ElGenaidi said.” For the entire article, go to: http://www.mercurynews.com//ci_8403710?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com. Contact Kim Vo at kvo@mercurynews.com or call (408) 920-5719. For another response to this campaign, read: “Obama, Being Called a Muslim Is Not a Smear” by Naomi Klein, the Nation, February 28, 2008 “The turban "scandal" is all part of what is being referred to as "the Muslim smear." It includes everything from exaggerated enunciations of Obama's middle name to the online whisper campaign that Obama attended a fundamentalist madrassa in Indonesia (a lie), was sworn in on a Koran (another lie) and if elected would attach RadioShack speakers to the White House to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer (I made that one up). Of course Obama must correct the record, but he doesn't have to stop there. What is disturbing about the campaign's response is that it leaves unchallenged the disgraceful and racist premise behind the entire "Muslim smear": that being Muslim is de facto a source of shame. …The orgy of hate that is "the Muslim smear" is unfolding in real time, and it promises to greatly intensify in a general election. …This at a time when US Muslims are bearing the brunt of the Bush Administration's assaults on civil liberties, including dragnet wiretapping, and are facing a documented spike in hate crimes. Occasionally, though not nearly enough, Obama says that Muslims are "deserving of respect and dignity."… To see the entire article, go to: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080317/klein Now Accepting Applications for Intergroup Muslim and Jewish Conflict Transformation Program The Unity Program is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area for the 2008-2009 school year. Applications are being accepted from Jewish and Muslim students ages 16-18 through March 15, 2008. The Unity Program is a high school course designed to educate students about Islam and Judaism while strengthening the relationships students have to their own religious traditions. The course examines the relationship between Islam and Judaism, the historical relationship between Muslims and Jews, and issues within North American Jewish and Muslim communities. Each of these components deepens students’ understandings of Jewish and Muslim individual and group identities in contemporary society as well as the textual, ideological, and historical relationship between and within each religious tradition. The three major components of the Unity Program are: (1) Teacher-led classes on issues related to Islam, Judaism and Muslim-Jewish relations. (2) Presentations by Jewish and Muslim guest speakers. (3) Interschool meetings between students from schools in which trained facilitators lead participants in group dynamics sessions. The Unity Program utilizes these methods, along with relevant field trips, to create an environment where students learn with and from the ‘other.’ Upon completing the Unity Program course, students will receive an official Certificate of Completion from both Abraham's Vision and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Francisco. Exceptional students will also receive letters of recommendation for their university applications. For more information, see: http://www.ing.org/events/events.asp?num=577. To download the application, visit the Abraham's Vision website at http://www.abrahamsvision.org/. Applications are due by March 15, 2008. Events of Interest: ING Speakers Supplement Social Studies in Middle and High Schools, 3/03/08 ING speakers delivered presentations to middle and high schools across the Bay Area last week, including public and private schools. Omar Ansari addressed social studies classes at Central Middle in San Carlos, Imran Maskatia addressed classes at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School in Palo Alto; Khatija Afroze spoke to Comparative Religion classes at Urban School of San Francisco; Nashwan Hamza delivered presentations to freshman classes at Carmel High School on Monday and Friday of last week; Amany Nasser spoke to classes at Woodside School in Concord on Wednesday; Maha Elgenaidi & Aisha Morgan spoke to two social studies assemblies at Pollicita Middle School in Daly City. While the fall is usually the busiest time for ING, this spring has been as busy as the fall! “Islam in the Modern World” at Christ Episcopal Church, Los Altos, 2/28/08 ING’s president, Maha Elgenaidi led a women’s group roundtable discussion on Islam in the modern world and women’s role in the community at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos on February 28. About 25 women participated in an engaging and stimulating conversation that not only looked at abuses of Islam in the modern world but also abuses of Christianity and other religions and the discrepancies between theology and historical teachings and the practices of people based on interpretations that are more often influenced by economics and politics, culture & tradition, education, and family upbringing than it is attempting to understand the will of God. Topics ranged between women’s role in the family and extremism in religion. “Interfaith Speakers Bureau” Speakers Training, Los Altos, 2/28/08 An ING trainer led an interfaith speakers bureau training for Jewish members of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Los Altos on February 28. The orientation included an introduction and a description of the new bureau and its purpose, an overview of the content of the two different types of panels that will be formed: the Five Faith Panel which includes the five major world religions, and the Muslim-Jewish Panel. Trainees were also provided the content for each of the panels from the perspectives of the five faiths, and an overview of guidelines for speaking about religion in public institutions based on First Amendment Center Guidelines. The workshop concluded with a few basic tips for panelists and facilitators, and an overview of certification procedures. Trainees were highly engaged throughout, with discussions among the trainees particularly invaluable because they presented ideas to further develop the program especially in the area of Frequently Asked Questions, which will eventually be developed for each of the faiths. If you’re interested in joining the newly formed Interfaith Speakers Bureau, please contact Grace Fong, at Grace@ing.org. Thank You for Your Support! To continue to support ING’s outreach programs, or would like to increase your level of existing support, consider donating to one of ING’s many programs, or providing ongoing support by signing up for monthly automatic donations through your credit or debit card. Help increase religious literacy and mutual respect by donating online at: 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 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 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 |
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