| UPF Recognizes ISB & Arcapita at Film Premiere |
On Monday, October 12, the Rialto Center for the Arts was the venue for Unity Production Foundation's (UPF) Inside Islam documentary, a groundbreaking film on relations between the Muslim world and the West. The film screening was preceded by a private reception attended by leading members of Atlanta's business, political, educational, and interfaith communities.
The event was hosted by the ISB, Georgia State University's Middle East Institute and Department of Religious Studies, and the British Consulate. Arcapita was a platinum sponsor and other organizations stepped up as gold, silver, and bronze supporters.
Both the ISB and Arcapita were honored by UPF in "recognition of their commitment to peace and greater understanding."
Pictured above are ISB executive director, Soumaya Khalifa, with Inside Islam executive producer, Alex Kronemer, and Arcapita's executive director of corporate investments, Charles Ogburn. Mr. Ogburn was quoted as saying, "We were impressed with the quality of the film, and delighted to be associated with such a successful premiere in Atlanta. We extend our congratulations to the film makers and to the organizers of the Atlanta premiere." A photo gallery of the premiere may be viewed here.
|
| ISB Part of Living Library |
In September, ISB speaker, Mansour Ansari, was part of a "living library" at Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, the only official organizer of such events in Georgia.
The ISB has participated in this program twice this year, the first time being in May. Thanks to positive feedback from visitors, or "readers," the library's James Taylor invited the ISB back. He writes, "Thanks once again for your participation in our Living Library program. I hope our paths cross soon. In the meantime, you can tell your friends and family that you shared a program with a police chief, an albino, a homeless man, and a witch."
The living library is a worldwide program that gives members of the
public an opportunity to sit down with people from groups that are
traditionally misunderstood. The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library invited representatives from the police, albino, wiccan, homeless, and Muslim communities.
|
| Atlanta Students Find Power Over Prejudice |
The Anti-Prejudice Consortium's annual Power Over Prejudice Summit (POP) took place last week on November 4-6. The POP is a special program that draws Georgia middle school students together for workshops and breakout sessions dealing with the impact of prejudice on people's lives. This year's summit drew nearly 70 public and private schools to the Georgia Tech venue.
The ISB is a sponsor of the POP summit and executive director Soumaya Khalifa sits on the Anti-Prejudice Consortium's board.
|
Ongoing Conversation at Trinity Presbyterian
|
 |
In early October, Bassem Fakhoury (pictured above), Hounada Sinno, and Soumaya Khalifa visited Trinity Presbyterian Church at the invitation of the Reverend Dr. Ben Johnson, a leader of interfaith dialogue in Atlanta and professor emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary.
The visit was part of a three-week lecture series led by the Rev. Dr. Johnson. Mr. Fakhoury, Ms. Sinno, and Ms. Khalifa each gave a ten-minute presentation about one of the pillars of Islam. The goal of the evening was to have different individuals give a personal account of the meaning of a pillar from their own experience and perspective.
Mr. Fakhoury writes, "the audience of 200, comprised of both Christians and Muslims, was very engaged. Some church members asked for additional references to further expand their knowledge and expressed interest in seeing more presentations."
This event marks the fourth time the ISB has partnered with the Rev. Dr. Johnson over the past three years.
|
| About Us |
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.
| |
|
|
|
| Greetings!
Your November newsletter features several stories demonstrating the importance of building bridges while gaining power over prejudice and bigotry.
Our volunteers and supporters are committed to this cause. It is critical, particularly in today's trying times, to step up and do our part to reach out to others who are different, expand our circle of contacts, and understand that our diversity is our greatest strength.
As you gather around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends this month, please take a moment to express gratitude for the gifts of life, liberty, and happiness.
Next month, we will feature our Building Bridges Award honorees. Don't miss it!
All the best,
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director
ISB Atlanta
|
Metro Atlanta Private Schools Host ISB Speakers
|
In early September, Amin Tomeh visited Marist School, a private Catholic school in Dunwoody, at the invitation of Dr. Douglas Seanor. Although students had not had a chance to review their textbook's unit on Islam, they had done research on common misconceptions about the faith.
Mr. Tomeh writes, "the presentations went very well and the audience members were engaged and seemed to enjoy themselves. I even got a warm round of applause in the second period! Of particular interest was how Muslim teenagers' lives are different in the United States."
At the end of the month, Bassem Fakhoury presented at Lovett School, a private school "operating within the Judeo-Christian tradition for students from all ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds."* . Mr. Fakhoury spoke with students from the "Children of the Book" and "Old Testament" classes. At the request of the instructors, he discussed the importance of Prophet Abraham in the Muslim faith. Mr. Fakhoury writes, "the students were well-prepared, engaged, and asked lots of good questions." Finally, Soumaya Khalifa presented to students at the Wesleyan School, "established in 1963 as an integral part of Sandy Springs United Methodist Church."** The students, all hailing from World Religions classes, were celebrating homecoming week and twins' day. Consequently, the school was decorated very creatively and students had a chance to attend the presentations in costume. As Ms. Khalifa writes, "one of the most creative costumes I saw were salt and pepper shakers!"
*From Lovett's website
|
| Teaching the Middle East at GPC |
The ISB was a presenter at a faculty development seminar sponsored by Georgia State University's Middle East Institute, the Center for International Education at Georgia Perimeter College, and the Georgia Consortium for International Studies. The three-day workshop in October was open to faculty from Georgia institutions of higher learning. Titled, "Teaching the Middle East VII: Identities and New Realities in the Middle East," the seminar is part of an ongoing initiative to enhance faculty knowledge about the Middle East's major religions and cultures.
The ISB has been involved with the program for three years. Soumaya Khalifa presented Getting to Know American Muslims and Islam to workshop participants and arranged for them to visit Al-Farooq Mosque, where they took a guided tour and observed Friday prayers.
For more information, please contact Alta Schwartz at aschwartz@gsu.edu.
|
Presentations at Area Universities
|
The ISB's Dr. S. Rashid Naim and Jelena Naim presented to the Global TESOL class at Clayton State University in October. Their topic was "Interacting with Muslim Students" and was directed to teachers and teachers-in-training.
The class consisted of about 30 very internationally diverse adult students, some of whom were English teachers in locations as far-flung as Korea, South America, and Germany. The Naims' presentation was followed by student presentations as part of a larger unit on multiculturalism.
Ms. Naim writes that they had a "great class, with a high level of attention, and a very positive response to the presentation. Dr. Sarah Anne Shope, our hostess, was very appreciative and hopes to include us in her many multicultural projects and future classes."
In September, Dr. Naim presented to graduate students at Kennesaw State University and discussed a wide range of topics including the impact of culture on society, the philosophy of the Shari'ah, and the concept of morality in Islam. The presentation was hosted by Dr. Ardith Peters who teaches a Master's class in social work.
|
New Speakers Sign Up for the ISB!
|
 |
The ISB held a New Speakers Orientation on Saturday, October 17 at Georgia Tech. Thirteen trainees attended the day-long orientation in preparation for an online closed-book exam and speaking practicum.
The training session gave participants an opportunity to practice delivering the Getting to Know American Muslims and Islam presentation. The trainees also learned how to answer frequently-asked questions relating to Islam and Muslims and gained valuable skills for presenting to diverse audiences. Amin Tomeh organized the event and was assisted by Dr. S. Rashid Naim, Bassem Fakhoury, Saif Altalib, Zaynab Ansari, Nehal Shamma, and Soumaya Khalifa.
The ISB holds annual new speaker orientations to introduce promising candidates to the organization's philosophy, methods, and objectives. The ISB operates solely within First Amendment guidelines.
|
| Friend Us on Facebook! |
| |
|
