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Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta Newsletter

Eliminating Stereotypes Through Education 
                                                                                                      

February 12, 2007
In This Issue
ISBA Presents at CDC
BBC Newscaster Visits Atlanta
Islamaphobia Workshop Promotes Understanding
Atlanta British Consulate Sponsors ISBA Attendance to Conference
Upcoming Events
Feb. 13
--American Assoc. for Parole and Prision Officers
--GA Tech Islam Awareness Week
Feb. 15
--GSU Panel Discussion 
Feb. 21
--GA Tech
Quick Links
Building Bridges Award Winners Building Bridges
Featured are the award winners from the third-annual Building Bridges Awards held in October 2006. The winners are: WABE AM News Programming, Whitewater Middle School - Fayette County, and Emory University's Youth Theological Initiative.
 Dear ISBA Friends and Supporters-
 
Greetings of peace and blessings. With 2006 past and only 23 days into the Islamic new year, I want to first thank you for your support in 2006 to further the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta's (ISBA) efforts.
 
We certainly had a busy year. In addition to our regular outreach efforts, we celebrated ISBA's fifth anniversary; the Jewish-Muslim Baking Group hosted six women journalists from Africa in partnership with the U.S. Department of State; we recognized individuals throughout the community who exemplified our mission of understanding at our third-annual Building Bridges Awards; and we continued to get media coverage through outlets like the British Broadcast Channel (BBC), the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Connect with Kids.
 
Last year was truly an exciting year and we hope to make 2007 even better. We are pleased to share with you some of our activities to date and look forward to working with you to spread our mission of understanding throughout our community.
 
Again, we thank you for your continued support, encouragement and contributions. As always, please let us know if you have any suggestions on how we can further our efforts.
 
Thank you-
 
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta
 
ISBA Presents at CDC 
 
The Polio Eradication team at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently invited the ISBA to speak to 30 employees, most who were medical doctors, about the role preventative medicine and vaccination play in Islam. The interactive audience had a lot of questions about Islamic etiquette, diet and healthcare for Muslim patients.
Asad AhmedBBC Newscaster Visits Atlanta                                                         British Broadcast Channel (BBC) newscaster, and British Muslim, Asad Ahmed, recently visited Atlanta to meet with Cable News Network and other media outlets.
 
Members of ISBA hosted Ahmed for dinner and discussion following his lunch-n-learn with the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV). Ahmed was "encouraged" and "pleased" to hear about the work the ISBA does and encouraged the organization to pursue more work with the government and media.
 
Progressive Summit 
Islamaphobia Workshop Promotes  Understanding
On Jan. 6, the ISBA participated a workshop on Islamaphobia at the Georgia Progressive Summit.                                                                                     
Dr. Rashid Naim from the  AHAD Foundation gave an overview and history of Islamaphobia, followed by an overview of the ISBA's work in outreach through education. The engaged audience brainstormed on how to counter Islamaphobia, and the consensus was education.
British Consulate 
 Atlanta British Consulate Sponsors ISBA Attendance to Muslim Conference 
 
In October, ISBA executive director Soumaya Khalifa attended the "Engaging Muslim Youth in North America and Europe" conference in Britian. The trip, which was sponsored by the British Consulate General in Atlanta, provided a great networking opportunity to exchange information and ideas. Following the trip, Khalifa was asked to recap her experiences in Britian to more than 25 people at the British Consulate General's house in Atlanta.