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ING SPEAKS AT ANTIOCH MOSQUE VANDALISM MARCH ING News and Information – Update 9/25/07
ING President Conducts Orientation for Jewish Community Center San Francisco Staff, 9/24/07 ING’s president, Maha Elgenaidi conducted an Orientation on Islam and Muslims for the Jewish Community Center, San Francisco staff on Monday, September 24th. This was part of a kick off for a fall/winter initiative called Salaam/Shalom, which explores the convergence of Judaism and Islam. The series will include a dozen classes, exhibits, lectures and performances, including a class in December called "A Shared Tradition: Jews and Muslims in Islam," which will focus on references to Jews and Judaism in Muslim scriptures. The series will also feature an Arabic class; and a course of four classes taught by Maha Elgenaidi and Ameena Jandali from ING. A recent article in the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California highlighted the series, focusing on the goals behind the event: "There's so much misunderstanding and fear that exists in popular culture about what Islam is, so we wanted to have an open dialogue that didn't include politics," said Rabbi Elisheva Salamo of the JCC. "This is a constructive way to create understanding and partnership." The article also cites ING president, “Maha ElGenaidi, founder and director of the San Jose group, said her goal is for participants to gain a greater literacy in Islam. But she also wants to advance the Jewish-Muslim dialogue beyond the conflict in the Middle East.” To view the entire article, go to: http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/33602/format/html/displaystory.html. To learn more about the series, go to: http://www.jccsf.org/salaam.aspx?catid=551 ING President Speaks at Antioch Mosque Vandalism March and Interfaith Event, 9/23/07 ING’s president, Maha Elgenaidi joined interfaith leaders from East Contra Costa county at a march and interfaith event in Antioch on Sunday, September 23rd. The event, titled, “Marching Together Against Hate and Violence in East Contra County” was organized in support of the Islamic Center of the East Bay (ICEB) after the August 12th arson vandalism of their building. The march and subsequent interfaith gathering was organized by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, and was also in response to a recent hate crime/vandalism incident against an African American family in Brentwood. The march, which was attended by about 500 local and Bay Area wide interfaith leaders and congregants, as well as local families followed a press conference with ICEB leaders and elected city and county officials. Following the march, participants gathered at Antioch High School for an interfaith program in the auditorium, where interfaith leaders from various faiths spoke of the need for tolerance and understanding and an end to prejudice and hate. Representing the Muslim community along with ICEB leaders were Maha Elgenaidi from ING, and Shafath Syed from CAIR. Maha spoke about Islam and it’s place in America emphasizing the roots of Islam in America, Muslim American demographics and Islam’s shared heritage and values with other faiths. (For a transcript of her full speech, go to: http://www.ing.org/latestnews/default.asp?num=97) Shafath spoke about the civil rights of Muslims in America highlighting the correlation between American attitudes towards Islam and hate incidents. Joining in the march and interfaith event were members of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the East Bay, one of ING’s interfaith partners, who have been actively involved in responding to the Antioch arson and organizing Sunday’s event. Sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all those of diverse faiths who have put countless hours into this important statement of solidarity and for their vision of a truly integrated faith community. This event was a testament to the labors of many years and the dedication of many people to peace, justice, and civil rights for all people. As an article on the event states, “With religious strife rampant all over the world, one Contra Costa city made a vow Sunday that whatever pits community against community elsewhere, it must not and will not happen here. It was not a simple call for tolerance, organizers said. 'It's moving beyond tolerance to active respect -- to stand together as a community,' said Father Tom Bonacci of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Antioch.” To see the entire Contra Costa Times article, go to: http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_6983238 ING Speaker Participates in Albany’s First Annual Peace Day, 9/23/07 Ameena Jandali joined other East Bay speakers including a representative from Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office at Albany’s first Annual Peace Day on Sunday, September 23rd. The event was sponsored by the City of Albany’s Social and Economic Justice Committee and was the brainchild of Albany’s mayor, who proposed the idea last year as an event dedicated to preventing war. Speakers stressed the need to work for peace both at home and abroad. Ameena’s talk focused on the importance of promoting peace at home, and emphasized that racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are all different sides of the same coin, and that the current vilification of Muslims is no different than similar treatment of other groups, such as Native Americans, African Americans, Irish, Jews, Italians, and Japanese during different periods of this nation’s history. For a transcript of her full speech, go to: http://www.ing.org/latestnews/default.asp?num=98 ING Speakers Address Two Bay Area Churches, 9/23/07 ING speakers addressed two Bay Area churches on Sunday, September 23rd. The first was the Calvary Episcopal Church in Santa Cruz where the speaker lead a discussion on Modern Women in Islam for the congregation’s adult discussion group. Later that day, another speaker, Uzma Husaini addressed a congregation at Piedmont Church in Alameda, where she presented an Orientation on Islam and Muslims and answered questions relating to extremism and women’s rights. ING Interfaith Coordinator Participates in International Day of Peace Interfaith Prayer Service, 9/20/07 Joining representatives from many faith traditions for this year’s Day of Peace prayer service in Santa Clara county, which focused on global peace and nonviolence in alignment with the United Nations International Day of Peace and global cease-fire, ING’s Interfaith Coordinator, Yasmine Khan, offered prayers for peace and joined in the procession of faiths at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose. Keynote speakers at the event were Rev. Paul Chaffee, Director of the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, and Rev. Ellen Grace O’Brian, Director of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment. ING Speakers at Presentation High in San Jose and Encinal High in Alameda, 9/18-9/20/07 ING speakers at different ends of the Bay Area visited multiple classes a two different high schools last week. Uzma Husaini and Maha Elgenaidi addressed the topic of Women in Islam in a Global Women’s Issues class at Presentation High on September 18th and 19th, during which they addressed the many stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslim women. They also gave an Orientation on Islam and Muslims to a total of nine 9th grade World History classes between September 18 – 20 that addressed 270 students. In the East Bay, ING speakers Adeel Iqbal and Ameena Jandali visited Encinal High in Alameda over a two day period on September 20th and 21st to deliver an Orientation on Islam and Muslims to five 10th grade world history classes. Students in the classes were extremely engaged in the presentations, particularly during a class with four Muslim students who were so enthusiastic and involved that their hands were in the air throughout most of the presentation! Providing religious literacy is important at this young age when religious students of all faiths often develop intolerant attitudes towards other faiths. This impact of these discussions was expressed by the teacher of the Global Women’s Issues class at Presentation High who remarked: "Your presentation generated an entire day’s worth of discussion on the various points you brought up and I would even suggest it was the best discussion we had all year. We have been discussing Islam and women’s experiences within the context of Iran and Afghanistan, so your talk opened their eyes to a completely different perspective on the hijab and the relationship between Islam and feminism." - Presentation High School Teacher ING’s Interfaith Coordinator Participates in Interfaith Darfur Event, 9/16/07 ING’s Interfaith Coordinator, Yasmine Khan joined other interfaith and community leaders in a Global Day for Darfur event: Interfaith Prayer for Darfur & World Leaders on Sunday, September 16 at Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco. The event, which was organized in coordination with a national campaign featured representatives from major faith groups emphasizing the importance of worldwide action to protect the citizens of Darfur. In her brief yet powerful speech to the gathering (for a transcript of her full speech, go to http://ing.org/latestnews/default.asp?num=96), Yasmine emphasized the importance of speaking out for those who have no voice, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, especially during this holy time in various faiths, including Ramadan in Islam and the High Holy Days in Judaism. She reflected on some of the lessons of these holy days as they relate to helping those in need and reminded the audience of the billions of people in the world today who suffer a life of hunger, poverty, and oppression. She pointed out that all faiths teach the Golden Rule of loving for others what one loves for oneself, and even preferring others over oneself, and quoted from the prophetic traditions that "All of us came from Adam," and a Quranic verse teaches that "Saving one life is like saving all of humanity." She concluded with a prayer for the congregants to live up to their moral responsibility in following the Golden Rule, and for help in healing and bringing peace to the world. ING Delivers Trainings to Different Branches of Law Enforcement, 9/11/ and 9/13/07 An ING speaker and trainer delivered ING’s Law Enforcement training to a special class on Hate Crimes Investigation at Napa Valley Community College on Tuesday, September 11. The special class was made up of hate crime investigators from around the state who were meeting for a three day intensive training. The instructor thought it was important to provide the class with a better understanding of Muslim Americans in light of the recent vandalism attack on the Antioch mosque in August. The trainees were particularly interested in learning about protocols for interacting with community members in a manner that was respectful and cognizant of their culture and religion. The dedication of law enforcement officers and trainers to respect is to be commended, as is their commitment to justice in the Antioch case. On Thursday, September 13, an ING trainer delivered two four-hour trainings on Working with the Muslim American Community at the California Probation Parole and Corrections Association Conference in Lake Tahoe. The presentation covered the basics about Islam and Muslims, as well as a description of the Muslim American community, and suggested protocols for interacting with the community. The all day event was remarkable in both the length of the presentation, and the interest and enthusiasm it inspired. Each of the two sessions was attended by directors from around the state, who were especially interested in learning more about the faith, and in particular common stereotypes relating to terrorism and violence and the role of women. Audience members expressed a sincere interest and desire to better understand the faith and its adherents, and many of the attendees were so impressed by the presentation that they requested the speaker to deliver the same presentation to officers in their home departments across the state. ING Speaker Explains Repentance in Islam to Progressive Jewish Alliance, 8/29/07 An ING speaker elaborated on the concept of repentance at a meeting of the Progressive Jewish Alliance on Wednesday, August 29th. The group meets regularly at their East Bay office, and chose this topic because of the upcoming Jewish holidays that emphasize repentance. After a brief introduction about the basics of Islam, the speaker explained that the concept of repentance or taubah is central to the Islamic belief that God is All-Merciful, All-Forgiving, and that humans are fallible, and that sinning is natural, and is not a cause for despair, but a reason to turn back to God, sincerely repent and seek forgiveness. The speaker narrated many verses and prophetic sayings that underline this important concept that many people often lost sight and impose a vision of perfection, which according to Islamic belief is only a characteristic of God. The group was struck by the similarities with Judaism and were interested in continuing the dialogue between faiths. Thank You for Your Support! To continue to support ING’s educational outreach and bridge-building, contribute 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 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 Keep the Diversity, Seek the Harmony 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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