Dear ISB Friends and Supporters,
The month of April has been very busy for the new and veteran speakers of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISB). In this issue, you will read about presentations to audiences as diverse as the American Association of University Women and the Community Christian Church.
It is our hope that you will read these stories and be motivated to participate in the project of civic education. At the heart of the ISB's work is the idea that civic engagement at every level is a necessary component of a thriving democracy. As a grassroots, community-based organization, the ISB is grateful for the partnerships that make these engagements possible.
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 |
ISB Calendar
May 4: Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Kids4Peace, Christ Our Shepherd
May 11: Dunwoody United Methodist Church, Peachtree Presbyterian Church
May 12 : Federal Drug Administration-Cultural Competency Training
May 18: Peachtree Presbyterian Church
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The Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) is a non-profit, apolitical educational organization that provides certified Muslim speakers to promote awareness about Islam and Muslims. The ISB is a local affiliate of the Islamic Networks Group (ING).
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Atlanta Reads King: A Commemorative Project of the National Black Arts Festival 
On Friday, April 4, Executive Director of the ISB, Soumaya Khalifa, participated in Atlanta Reads King, a community-wide reading of Dr. King's The World House. The event took place at Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts. Readers of the text included Atlanta City Manager, Fulton County Commissioner, President of United Way, and a number of other notable citizens of Atlanta.
Atlanta Reads King marked the fortieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. The ISB was honored to be among those who uphold Dr. King's legacy of civic engagement and social activism. |
Special Series at Emory University 
Continuing a series of visits to Dr. John Weaver's religious studies classes, the ISB spoke at Emory University on Thursday, April 17. Ms. Soumaya Khalifa was joined by Dr. Elizabeth Corie for a discussion on interfaith dialogue in the Muslim and Christian traditions. The speakers also shared personal stories of interfaith engagement. Students participated in a lively question-and-answer session that featured an exploration of "A Common Word," a Muslim-led initiative that seeks to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between Islam and Christianity. |
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Interfaith Panel at Community Christian Church
On Sunday, April 27, Ms. Huma Faruqi participated in a panel discussion at the Community Christian Church in Sharpsburg, GA. The program brought together speakers from four world religions: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism. The purpose of the event was to introduce audience members to the unique theological perspective of each religion. Ms. Reem Faruqi, one of the ISB's new speakers, attended the day's program as an observer. Approximately 1200 people were in attendance for the special event, which was broadcast to other locations. |
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ISB Presents at Lakeview Academy
On Friday, April 18, Ms. Huma Faruqi presented Islam 101 at Lakeview Academy, a private school in Gainesville, GA. She was accompanied by speaker-in-training, Mr. Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed. Two social studies classes attended the presentation and were very engaged, asking a number of questions about Islam and Muslim culture. |
. ISB Meets with American Association of University Women
On Monday, April 14, Ms. Soumaya Khalifa met with members of the American Association of University Women, Fulton County Chapter (AAUW). The presentation was a combination of Islam 101 and Women in Islam. There were approximately twenty audience members, which allowed for a lively dialogue with the speaker. The ISB is grateful to the AAUW for hosting this event. The AAUW has invited the ISB back for a presentation next year. |
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ISB Presents to Catholic Women's Group
On Wednesday, April 9, Mr. Amin Tomeh presented to St. Bernadette Circle, a women's group from Christ the King Cathedral in midtown Atlanta. The circle regularly invites speakers from different religions, cultures and affiliations. The topic covered was Islam 101. Audience members were gratified to have the opportunity to pose questions about Islamic worship and theology. |
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Women's Bible Study Group at ICCA
 On Thursday, April 3, the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta (ICCA) was the site of an interfaith exchange between members of the First Presbyterian Women's Bible Study Group and the ISB. Hosting the gathering, Ms. Soumaya Khalifa and Ms. Huma Faruqi delivered an in-depth look at Islam using the highly-regarded Islam 101 presentation. The afternoon's program also included lunch. The ISB hopes to co-sponsor events with First Presbyterian in the future. | |
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Visit from Sandy Creek High School
On Wednesday, April 2, students from Sandy Creek High School visited the ICCA. The group was led by Ms. Marlene Holland, one of the first recipients of the ISB's Building Bridges Award. The students are part of a comparative religions group, and pay annual visits to places of worship in the metro area. On the morning they visited the ICCA, they also toured a Hindu temple and a Jewish synagogue. At the ICCA, they met ISB speakers, Ms. Huma Faruqi and Ms. Slma Shelbayah. | |
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