Dear Supporters,
Our nation will celebrate its birthday on Saturday, July 4. As you spend this day with friends and family, please remember that countless men and women made tremendous sacrifices so that we could enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Our democracy was founded on timeless ideals. Let's think about how we--on the level of individuals, families, and communities--can translate these ideals into realities.
Do what you can today to enrich someone's life, give meaning to the principle of liberty, and enable someone to pursue true happiness.
Wishing you a safe and healthy summer,
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director, ISB Atlanta
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Special Presentation for Law Enforcement Agency
On Thursday, June 11, ISB Executive Director, Soumaya Khalifa, presented to over 200 employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at an agency conference for support staff.Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Jackie Zappacosta,
introduced Ms. Khalifa, noting the importance of diversity education in a city as multicultural as Atlanta. She also described the ISB as an organization that is positively impacting
Atlanta and Atlantans. The presentation
included an overview of Islam and Muslims and a question-and-answer segment. The audience was
very engaged and asked a number of questions pertaining to Muslim life in North America.
At the conclusion, Special Agent in Charge,
Gregory Jones, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Zappacosta, presented Ms. Khalifa with a
plaque and expressed their appreciation for her participation.
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First Baptist Church of Decatur Welcomes ISB Speaker
On Sunday, June 28, Bassem Fakhoury presented to the Sunday class at Decatur's First Baptist Church. The welcoming atmosphere allowed for an in-depth presentation in which Mr. Fakhoury provided an overview of Islam and Muslims and took a number of questions.
Approximately 45 very engaged audience members participated in the two-hour long presentation.
The presentation was the result of a referral by Wieuca Baptist Church. Several members of the congregation spoke with Mr. Fakhoury after the presentation and shared ideas on how Atlantans can continue and expand the interfaith dialogue.
Bassem Fakhoury contributed to this report.
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About the ISB
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.
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ISB & the Optimist Club
Soumaya Khalifa was invited to present at the North Perimeter Optimist Club on Tuesday, June 30. The presentation was the result of an interfaith discussion at Peachtree Presbyterian Church several months ago.
The North Perimeter Optimist Club is a local chapter of Optimist International, an organization dedicated to "bringing out the best in kids" through service projects and community involvement.
Approximately 25 members of the North Perimeter Optimists attended the ISB presentation, Getting to Know American Muslims and Islam.
At the end of the presentation, audience members expressed their appreciation for the ISB's work and shared the following feedback:
"Keep up this
important work, we need it."
"I admire what you are doing as you are
giving a voice to Islam and Muslims, which we don't necessarily
hear."
"Your presentation covered a lot of important information in
a short amount of time and what I really liked is that you presented it
in a way that was appealing."
Ms. Khalifa was also presented with a plaque inscribed with the Optimist Creed. To learn more about the organization, please visit North Perimeter Optimist Club.
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ISB Director Welcomes President Obama's Speech
On June 4, Soumaya Khalifa was invited to speak with CNN's Kyra Phillips, anchor of the 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ET) edition of CNN Newsroom. She was joined by Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women International, and Hussein Rashid, associate editor and blogger with ReligionDispatches.org. Ms. Khalifa was invited to offer a Muslim American perspective on President Obama's landmark Cairo speech in which he called for a "new beginning" with the Muslim world.To view the segment, please click on the above image.To read the ISB's statement, please see "ISB Welcomes Obama's Call for a New Beginning."
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Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Fellowship
Members of the Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Fellowship (AILF) met Sunday, June 14 for dinner and discussion at a restaurant in Sandy Springs. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for leaders in
the interfaith community to come together to discuss projects,
explore ways to help each other, and strengthen relationships.
The AILF's meeting drew approximately 70 individuals to listen to three speakers, including the ISB's Soumaya Khalifa, who presented a summary of the organization's work and its model for training interfaith
speakers. Ms. Khalifa was followed by Emory Morsberger, CEO of the Morsberger Group, a major Georgia community
developer, who shared his dreams
and plans for an interfaith center in Atlanta. Finally, Audrey Galex,
an Atlanta-based storyteller and reporter for Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB), spoke about using storytelling and the arts as tools for interfaith
dialogue.
One important result of the group's efforts is that they have started the first draft of a directory of interfaith programs in the Atlanta area. In the opinion of ISB member, Bassem Fakhoury, who contributed to this report, the AILF meeting is an effective example of interfaith dialogue, along the lines of what President Barack Obama discussed in his historic Cairo speech on June 4.
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Islamic Art at the High Museum
On Sunday, June 14, Atlanta's High Museum featured The Splendor of Islamic Art & Culture, a fun-filled and interactive art event for the whole family, sponsored by diverse Atlanta Muslim organizations. Approximately 700 people viewed displays by local Muslim artists and participated in various hands-on activities, including Arabic calligraphy.
The impressive turn-out and enthusiasm of the museum-goers was proof of the need for further projects highlighting Islam's artistic and cultural contributions.
The ISB was represented by Bassem Fakhoury, Soumaya Khalifa, Emad Hamid, and his son, Omar, who captivated the audience with a poem entitled, "Diamond in the Rough," a personal reflection on his faith as an American Muslim. |
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Fayette County Summer Lunch Program
Continuing her work from last year, ISB speaker, Amani Felfela Elghoroury, is at the helm of Fayette County's summer lunch program for 2009. A joint effort between the ISB and other faith organizations in Fayette County, the summer lunch program provides healthy lunches, Monday through Friday, to children who normally receive free school lunches during the school year.
Volunteers in the ISB-sponsored program purchase ingredients and supplies, meet to assemble the lunches, and deliver them in a timely fashion. The volunteers are a diverse group and include local Muslims and Christians of all ages. Pictured above are Ms. Elghoroury (right center) and a student from Clayton State University (left front).
Describing this year's program, Ms. Elghoroury has been touched by the dedication of the volunteers, without whom the program could not go forward. In her words, "I am totally grateful for the ISB's support. I've found that if you leave things in God's hands, they really work out."
To donate to the summer lunch program, please send a check payable to the ISB with "summer lunch program" in the memo portion. All contributions are tax deductible.
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On Our Calendar
July 10: Kids4Peace
July 10-13: Emory Youth Theological Initiative
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