Speaker Spotlight
Soumaya Khalifa
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISBA) has more than 20 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 Soumaya Khalifa, executive director of the ISBA. Soumaya was born in Egypt and moved to Texas as a young girl. She did her undergraduate work in chemistry and went on to obtain an MBA in Human Resources from Georgia State University. She has worked for a Fortune 100 company and is currently a diversity and human resources consultant. Soumaya is a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Speaker Spotlight: Soumaya, what inspired you to start the ISBA?
Soumaya: From a personal standpoint, my being a Muslim of Middle Eastern heritage helped me to see the definite need for outreach. Starting the ISBA was about bringing my whole self together as one person.
Speaker Spotlight: Has the organization's growth surpised you? There's been an overwhelming response from audiences all over Atlanta and beyond.
Soumaya: Well, there was such a need that wasn't being met. We're successful because we're responsive to our audience and the needs of the community. We're also successful because of an ability to build relationships with both individuals and organizations. We truly value partnerships.
Speaker Spotlight: What is your vision for the ISBA's future?
Soumaya: For the ISBA to become a stronger organization and have a strong presence in metro Atlanta. I want us to grow as individuals, solidify our structure, and partner with more people and organizations in the Atlanta area. I want us to be a trusted resource.
Speaker Spotlight: You're such an inspiration for people who are looking to give back to the community. What is your advice for those who want to serve?
Soumaya: Find your passion and go after it! Whether it's helping those less fortunate, literacy education--just pursue it. See what the community's needs are and help meet those needs.
|
ISBA Calendar
November 28: Georgia Perimeter College-Newton County, Eid al-Adha Celebration
November 29: Berkmar United Methodist Church
December 2: Unity North Atlanta Church
TBA: Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
TBA: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
|
Featured Event
On Sunday, December 2, the ISBA will participate in "Spiritual Wisdom in Chant: Four Faiths, One Stage," an interfaith program at Unity North Atlanta Church. The day's events are part of a 15-day program featuring Tibetan monks. Through "Spiritual Wisdom in Chant" audience members will be invited to learn about the role of chant/recitation in different faith traditions. For more information, please visit www.tibetanmonks2007.org.
|
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. |
|
Dear ISBA Supporters,
Every
year the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISBA) delivers hundreds of
presentations designed to educate the public about Islam and Muslims.
Our
volunteer speakers, who represent various professional, ethnic and
linguistic backgrounds, receive extensive training and are mentored by
fellow speakers. This month's newsletter provides a snapshot of
the wonderful work our volunteer speakers have done during the past
month.
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. With the increased demand
for our services, we are always looking for good speakers who can work
with us using our proven method of presenting. If you know of someone who would like to work with us, please contact us at dirisbatl@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta |
|
|
Building Bridges Awards Dinner 2007
On November 10, 2007, the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISBA) hosted its fourth annual Building Bridges Awards Dinner at the Atlanta Airport Hilton. Over 200 guests, friends, and supporters joined the ISBA to honor the 2007 recipients of the Building Bridges Award. The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of
the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Dr. Mattson's theme, the
interfaith imperative, set the tone for the night's events.
This year's honorees were truly outstanding, each in his or her own right embodying the spirit of the interfaith imperative: Dr. Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi of Columbia Theological Seminary; Trickum Middle School, represented by Mr. Michael Edwardy; and Ms. Sallie Satterthwaite, a columnist with a local newspaper. The gala concluded with a moving performance by rising young country musician, Kareem Salama.
The ISBA extends its gratitude to the numerous volunteers and supporters who made this event possible.
|
ISBA Meets with Labour Party Candidate
Members
of the ISBA held a dinner in honor of Mr. Mohammed Khaliel, Labour
Party candidate, on Thursday, November 8. Mr. Khaliel is expected to
run for parliament in 2009. He is an advocate for the U.K. Muslim
community, promoting such issues as education, healthcare, and housing.
His visit to the U.S. was sponsored by the Georgia Council for
International Visitors.
|
ISBA Meets with Macy's Systems and Technology
On
Monday, October 29, the ISBA conducted a training session for the
Macy's Systems and Technology diversity team. The session was attended
by top executives and telecast to four other locations: Cincinnati and
Lorain, OH; Tampa, FL; and San Francisco, CA. The presentation included
a brainstorming session on common stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims,
as well as an examination of the sources of these misconceptions. Part
of the presentation also looked at the demographics of the Muslim
world, religious
practices, cultural values, and issues of reasonable accommodation in
the workplace.
|
ISBA Co-Sponsors Muslim-Jewish Comedy Event
On
Saturday, October 27, the ISBA, Muslim Students Association, Jewish
Student Union-Hillel, and the Georgia Tech Office of Diversity Programs
co-sponsored a phenomenal comedy event at Georgia Tech's Ferst Center
for Arts. Featuring the stand-up comedy of Azhar Usman and Rabbi Bob
Alper, the program brought together Atlantans from diverse backgrounds
for an evening of laughter, healing, and camaraderie.
"The
world's only practicing clergyman doing stand-up
comedy--intentionally," Rabbi Bob Alper performs all across North
America, London and even at The Hollywood Improv. He is heard regularly
on XM and Sirius Radio, and seen on Showtime, Good Morning America,
CNN, and Extra.
Azhar Usman is America's most famous Muslim comedian. He was recently the
subject of an entire episode of ABC Nightline, and was interviewed on
NPR's All Things Considered. He hails from Chicago, with roots from the
Indian subcontinent, and has performed all over the U.S. and in several
foreign countries.
|
|
ISBA Attends FBI Training
On
October 25, members of the ISBA attended an FBI community meeting and
training seminar. The Community Relations Executive Seminar Training
(CREST) is designed to "build and strengthen relationships between
various communities in the FBI's jurisdiction as well as help improve
understanding between the FBI and all communities." The meeting was
well attended and included representatives from the Ismaili and
Arab-Christian communities. |
ISBA Participates in Power Over Prejudice Summit
On
October 24, Soumaya Khalifa, Executive Director of ISBA, attended the
Power over Prejudice Summit. Power over Prejudice is a program of the
Anti-Prejudice Consortium (APC). The annual summit brings together
middle-school students from the metro area to explore issues of
diversity, acceptance, and cooperation across lines of race, religion,
ethnicity, and culture. The ISBA is a proud sponsor of the Power over
Prejudice Summit.
|
ISBA Sits on Interfaith Panel on Healing
Executive
Director of the ISBA, Soumaya Khalifa, participated in a "Healing
Faith" panel discussion at Scottish Rite on October 22. The program was
organized as part of Pastoral Care Week, and was open to diverse faith
perspectives on health and healing. |
ISBA Hosts University System of Georgia Faculty
On Friday, October 19, representatives of the ISBA hosted University System of Georgia faculty members at the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta. As part of a two-day workshop, "Teaching the Middle East: Found in Translation: The Roots of Western Heritage," faculty members desiring to learn more about Islam and the Middle East participated in a series of lectures and discussions that included a visit to the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta. The workshop was sponsored by Georgia State University's Middle East Institute, Georgia Perimeter College's Center for International Education, and the Georgia Consortium for International Studies, Inc. (GCIS).
|
|
|
|
|
