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ISB Director Featured on One Nation
One Nation: Voices from the American Muslim Community is an internet resource celebrating the achievements and diversity of America's Muslims. Please follow this link to view One Nation's write-up about Soumaya Khalifa's work with the ISB as well as a wealth of information about other American Muslim women and men who are making a difference. |
Meaningful Conversations with the Muslim Community
Continuing the series of Meaningful Conversations workshops launched in January of this year, ISB speakers conducted a workshop at the Roswell Community Masjid on Friday, March 27.
Joining Meaningful Conversations Coordinator Ehab Jaleel were Soumaya Khalifa and Bassem Fakhoury, who presented to approximately 30 audience members of all ages.
The purpose of the workshop is to provide members of the Muslim community with the tools for successful interfaith dialogue and civic engagement.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, the ISB speakers concluded the session by seeking feedback from the participants, many of whom expressed increased confidence in speaking to members of other faith communities.
The ISB is grateful to the leadership of the Roswell Community Masjid for hosting this important event. The ISB is also most appreciative to the Meaningful Conversations participants for an evening of learning and sharing.
Bassem Fakhoury contributed to this report.
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The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta is a 501(c)3 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).
Donations
to the ISB are tax deductible and may be mailed to ISB Atlanta, P.O.
Box 2608, Peachtree City, GA 30269. Alternatively, supporters may send
their contributions through our secure website at isbatlanta.org.
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Look Out for Our Next Issue!
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Marist School
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Temple Emanu-El
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National Council of Jewish Women
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Northside Hospital Chaplaincy Department
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Eagle's Landing Christian Academy
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Sandy Creek High School | |
Dear Supporters,
As the month of March comes to a close, I hope you enjoy reading about the ISB's activities, which ranged from hosting a Boy Scout troop to a presentation at the Weber School to a women's interfaith baking group. We are also including links to articles that may be of interest. One is a Gallup poll that shatters some common misconceptions about American Muslims, particularly American Muslim women. The other is a link to the One Nation website, which profiles my work with the ISB as part of its mission to highlight the accomplishments of American Muslims. I am honored by this recognition and hope that our dedicated volunteers can continue to provide important educational resources to the larger Atlanta community. Finally, please remember the ISB as you make your charitable contributions during this spring season of growth and renewal. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to do this necessary work. You can make a secure online donation through our website or send your contributions to ISB Atlanta, P.O. Box 2608, Peachtree City, GA 30269. All donations are tax deductible.
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director, ISB Atlanta
dirisbatl@yahoo.com |
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Multi-Class Presentation at the Weber School
On Tuesday, March 3, Amin Tomeh visited the Weber School in north Atlanta, a transdenominational Jewish private high school.
Instructors at the Weber School contacted the ISB to provide an authentic view of Islam during their all-school morning meeting, which included approximately 240 students and 10 to 15 faculty members, including the school's director.
The presentation, Getting to Know American Muslims and Islam, provided the audience with a solid introduction to the demographics of the Muslim world, as well as the core beliefs and practices of Islam. Mr. Tomeh concluded his delivery with a lively question-and-answer segment which allowed the students to expand on some of the main themes of the presentation.
Weber School students participate in a number of interfaith and multicultural activities including the Peace by Piece program under the auspices of the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta. This joint effort involves high school students from the Weber School, a Christian academy, and WD Mohammed High School.
The ISB thanks faculty member, Noah Hartman, for facilitating this presentation.
Amin Tomeh contributed to this report.
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Gallup Releases First-of-its-Kind Report on American Muslims
During the first week of March, Gallup issued a groundbreaking report based on the first-ever nationwide representative random sample of American Muslims. The study made a number of significant findings, including the fact that American Muslims are the most racially diverse religious group surveyed in the United States and are one of the most highly educated religious groups in the nation. The survey also found that American Muslim women maintain an active presence in community life, attending mosque as frequently as men and seeking higher education. To learn more about this myth-shattering report, please visit the project's homepage to view a summary of Gallup's findings and download the complete document. |
Fun, Flan, and Friendship
A tradition has formed for a group of Jewish and Muslim Atlanta women who have been gathering for the last several years to share recipes, cooking tips, and friendship.
Known as the Jewish-Muslim Baking Group, and co-founded by Audrey Galex and Soumaya Khalifa, the women have discovered that they share much in common as they sample stuffed grape leaves, flan, and a number of mouthwatering comfort foods from Jewish and Muslim cuisine.
"We may come from different faith traditions," says Ms. Galex, "but we find we have a lot in common, and a lot to learn from each other." Adds Ms. Khalifa, "It is so amazing when people come together with the intent to understand each other. Our get-togethers for the Baking Group have been a great way to learn about each other and build bonds of sisterhood."
The Jewish-Muslim Baking Group's most recent meeting was on Sunday, February 15 and was featured in a segment on Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters.
Audrey Galex and Soumaya Khalifa contributed to this report.
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ISB Speakers Hone Skills
The ISB places a great deal of emphasis on continuing education for its speakers. Accordingly, on Saturday, March 14, approximately 16 members of the ISB participated in a day-long training seminar led by public speaking consultant Vicki Flier Hudson, president of Highroad Global Services. With an extensive background in public speaking and high-level presenting, Ms. Hudson provided the ISB's volunteers with the tools necessary to make their presentations "authentic, creative, and memorable." Participants enjoyed all aspects of the training and commented, "The
workshop was most helpful, relevant and engaging. I don't recall a
single dull moment. The trainer was most capable and exuded competence
that encouraged learning. She made it look easy!" The ISB thanks Ms. Hudson for a great seminar and looks forward to working with her in the near future. |
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MIST Students Have Fun While Learning
On Sunday, March 22, Huma Faruqi presented Women in Islam at the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST), an annual event which brings together Muslim high school students from around the nation for a weekend of regional and national tournaments. The academic tournament is designed to "develop leadership, promote communication, and inspire creativity" among American Muslim high school students.
The presentation attracted approximately 70 participants, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the interactive session.
Ms. Faruqi writes, "It was nice to see young people so excited about their participation in the MIST Competition. We began the morning with few attendees but ended up with a packed room."
The ISB thanks the young women and men of MIST for their generous invitation.
Huma Faruqi contributed to this report.
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Troop 50 Visits the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta
Approximately 20 parents and Boy Scouts from Troop 50 visited the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta in Fayetteville (ICCA) on Tuesday, March 17 to satisfy requirements for their American Cultures Merit Badge.
The troop was welcomed by Ms. Huma Faruqi and Dr. S. Rashid Naim who made scouts and parents feel at home. Due to audience interest, the presentation ran for at least an hour over the scheduled time and included pizza and lots of discussion.
Ms. Faruqi writes, "I was impressed with the boy scouts' patience as they sat still and were very polite through it all." Scoutmaster Will Taylor adds, "Dr. Naim and Ms. Huma did an excellent job of explaining the pillars of the faith and many of the world-wide cultures that are "traditionally" Islamic. I know it's hard to lecture and have a discussion that will hold young scouts' AND adults' attention, but they pulled it off very well. It was going so well that we ended up staying longer than planned."
The ISB is thankful to Mr. Taylor for faciliating such a wonderful exchange between the Muslim community and the parents and children of Boy Scouts Troop 50.
Huma Faruqi contributed to this report.
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