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Upcoming Events
March
March 13 ---- Erlanger Medical Center Chatanooga, Tenn.
March 14 ---- Brenau University
March 18, 25 ---- Series of Presentations at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
Cummings, Ga.
April
April 24 ---- St. Luke's Episcopal church
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Speaker Spotlight
Zaynab Ansari
ISBA has more than 30 trained, certified volunteer speakers who represent various professional, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. Our Speaker Spotlight section is meant to provide some insight into the backgrounds and thoughts of our speakers.
This month, we are speaking with Zaynab Ansari, an Atlanta native who is a wife, mother and a Georgia State student working toward a bachelor of arts in history and a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies in Middle Eastern studies.
Speaker Spotlight: Zaynab, I understand you are one of the original volunteers when ISBA started in 2001. What made you decide to join ISBA?
Zaynab: I really connected with the idea of being trained to speak about Islam and Muslims objectively, as a way to correct stereotypes and misperceptions about the religion and people.
Speaker Spotlight: What do you enjoy most about being an ISBA presenter?
Zaynab: So many things! The fellowship and camaraderie that come with being part of a successful organization, the opportunity to work with so many great people, and the fact that being a speaker has made me examine my own biases and assumptions. It's a wonderful process of learning. |
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About ISBA
ISBA is a non-profit, apolitical educational organization that provides certified Muslim speakers to promote awareness about Islam and Muslims.
ISBA is a local affiliate of the Islamic Networks Group.
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Dear ISBA Friends and Supporters-
Over the years I have been interviewed by many media organizations regarding a variety of issues facing Muslims and the work we do at the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISBA). Recently, I was asked what I personally take away from giving my time to the ISBA.
My answer parallels with ISBA's mission of building bridges. While our organization seeks to create understanding and awareness of Islam and Muslims through our presentations, I along with my fellow ISBA presenters, also learn from the different perspectives and beliefs of others.
I am truly enriched by the exchange of ideas and diverse perspectives among the wonderful people I have met through the ISBA.
Despite everyone's differences in the world- whether they are religious, cultural, demographic or socio-economic- I have discovered there is always more that brings us together and that we all share a common ground.
While we have had many events during the past month, I am pleased to share with you some of our highlighted activities.
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 | |
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ISBA Participates in Islam Awareness Week
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISBA) and Islamic Awareness Week share a common mission- breaking down misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.
Organized in connection with Muslim Student Association's from universities throughout Atlanta, including Georgia Tech, Emory and Georgia State, Islam Awareness Week focuses on educating the community by creating awareness.
Members of the ISBA provided a series of presentations throughout Islam Awareness Week including two presentations at Georgia Tech, three presentations at Georgia State and a presentation at Georgia Perimeter College.
Awareness events throughout the week focused on Islamic moral philosophy, the history of Islam in America, the legacy of women in Islam and the scientific renaissance of the Muslim world. |
ISBA Presents to American Probation and Parole Association Regional Meeting
In February, the Islamic Speakers Bureau was invited to speak at the American Probation and Parole Association's (APPA) annual meeting in Atlanta. The APPA is an international association of individuals from the United States and Canada, who are actively involved with probation, parole and community-based corrections.
ISBA presented Law Enforcement Cultural Competency Training to members of the parole system from Georgia and other outlying states. The training provided information to enhance law enforcement professional skills in interacting with members and institutions of the Arab and Muslim American communities.
The training is designed to address prejudice faced by Arabs and Muslims, provide an overview of Arab and Muslim cultures, review protocols for effective interaction in policing, and build cooperative relationships.
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| Teachers Attend ISBA Workshop to Better Understand Muslim Students
Clayton County Georgia teachers and para-professionals recently attended an ISBA workshop on understanding Muslim students. The audience took ISBA Cultural Compentency class which provides information on Muslim culture, Islamic holidays, common perceptions and tips on further understanding Muslim religious practices.
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| ISBA's Executive Director Joins Atlanta Boards
Soumaya Khalifa, executive director - Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta, recently joined the boards of Kids4Peace Atlanta and Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters.
Kids4Peace, an inter-faith, cross-cultural education for peace program is a year long cultural exchange sponsored by the Episcopal Dioceses of Atlanta and Jerusalem in which children from the United States and the Middle East discover their common heritage.
Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, the largest faith-based cable network in America, has frequently featured the ISBA on their programming including coverage on the Georgia Progressive Summit and an interview with Khalifa about Women in Islam on A Woman's Place hosted by Angela Harrington Rice. |
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ISBA Heads Panel At Columbia Theological Seminary
The ISBA was recently invited to head a panel discussion on various issues pertaining to women and gender relations in Islam to Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.
ISBA veteran speakers spoke to Dr. Cardoza's class about issues including the hijab and Islamic clothing, women's rights in Islam and common misconceptions of women in Islam. Dr. Cardoza is teaching a course on Christian-Muslim encounters, and gender is a large part of the discussion. | |
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