Greetings!
Our October newsletter provides a window into the activities of the ISB. We hope you find benefit in these stories and become inspired to build bridges of understanding in your own community.
All of us have an obligation to learn to engage with difference in the spirit of shoring up our democratic, pluralistic society.
The last few months have been witness to a troubling rise in Islamophobia. Dr. S. Rashid Naim, an ISB board member, speaker, and professor of political science, studies Islamophobia and feels that it is one of the most important issues facing America today. He writes, "It is important to recognize that Islamophobia is distinct from racism. As a society we feel racism is a manageable problem; we feel we understand it and have dealt with it and are dealing with it. Islamophobia, however, poses a problem because we do not know how to deal with it. If we treat Islamophobia like racism, we might end up underestimating it, with grave consequences. There are direct parallels between the bigotry aimed at Muslims today and the intolerance suffered by Mormons in the past. I fear this current climate of anti-Muslim sentiment might lead to violence."
The ISB is well aware of this troubling trend and will continue to push for greater understanding between Muslims and members of other faith communities in Atlanta and beyond.
However, this kind of effort requires tremendous resources and this is where we need the help of our supporters.
Please take a moment to donate to the work of the ISB through our secure website.
We also welcome your ideas and suggestions for how we can increase our efforts to reach out to our community. You can submit your ideas by clicking here.
Thank you,
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director
ISB Atlanta
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Walter Ruby: Promoting Understanding Between Muslims & Jews
| Walter Ruby (center) with Bassem Fakhoury (left) and Rabbi Bradley Levenberg
 | On Monday, September 20, the ISB sponsored and hosted a dinner honoring Walter Ruby, Muslim-Jewish Relations Officer at the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. Mr. Ruby is head of the groundbreaking Weekend of Twinning program, in which Muslims and Jews come together to denounce religious bigotry. Key leaders from Atlanta's Jewish and Muslim communities attended the dinner for networking and friendship. The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was also a participant in an emergency interfaith press conference that was convened at the National Press Club on September 7 to draw attention to the dangers of rising Islamophobia. |
Atlanta Religious Leaders Speak Out Against Islamophobia
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Leaders from Atlanta's major faith communities held a news conference on the steps of the First Presbyterian Church in midtown to condemn the rising tide of Islamophobia sweeping the nation. Leaders included the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, the Rev. Gerald Durley, the Rev. Tim McDonald, the Rev. Stan Wenck, the Rev. George Wirth, Mr. Doug Gatlin, Ms. Jan Swanson, Imam Plemon T. El-Amin, Dr. Y. Khalid Siddiq, and Ms. Soumaya Khalifa. The AJC and 11 Alive were among the local news outlets that covered the event.
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CNN Features ISB Director
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Soumaya Khalifa gave several interviews to CNN last month on the Park51 community center, Ramadan, and the coinciding of the 1400-year old holiday of Eid al-Fitr with the ninth anniversary of September 11.
Ms. Khalifa appeared on CNN International and CNN's U.S. edition and was interviewed by T. J. Holmes, host of Faces of Faith. Viewer feedback was very positive, with the director of a non-profit agency in Florida writing, "I would like to commend Ms. Khalifa for doing such an exceptionally good job during her interview this morning. She was poised, well-spoken, and quick to get to the point. I did not even know there was a Muslim Speakers Bureau in Atlanta but I am glad to know you are close by." Ms. Khalifa's segment with T.J. Holmes may be viewed here. |
| Iftar at British Embassy | ISB Director Soumaya Khalifa with Sir Nigel Sheinwald  | Soumaya Khalifa was invited to an iftar at the British Embassy in Washington on September 8.
The iftar, or fast-breaking, dinner was hosted by Deputy Head of Mission, Dominick Chilcott. In attendance were British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Chaplain Yahya Hendi from Georgetown University, dignitaries from Muslim nations, and leaders from the American Muslim community. A gallery of the iftar may be viewed here. |
Interfaith Service at Spelman College
| Soumaya Khalifa with Rev. Dr. Lisa Rhodes, Dean of Spelman College's Sisters Chapel (center); Sallie C. Burns, administrator to Dr. Rhodes (right); and student Hanan Davis
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Ms. Khalifa was the featured speaker at an interfaith service at Spelman College's Sister Chapel on September 10. Ms. Khalifa shared reflections on her personal journey through interfaith work after 9/11.
This year's
service was the tenth in a row and has its origins in a service held at
the college the morning of September 11, 2001. The program
featured drummers, a chorus, and a brunch.
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AIB TV Re-Airing Islamophobia Panel
|  | Due to viewer demand, Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters is re-airing last month's In Focus panel with Dr. Rashid Naim, professor of political science at Georgia State University, Bill Nigut, southeast regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Rev. Ben Johnson, founder of the Spiritual Formation program at Columbia Theological Seminary.
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| CHOA Workshop Draws Strong Turn Out | Imam Plemon T. El-Amin Joins Panel Discussion
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The ISB and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite partnered on Saturday, October 9 to deliver the Muslim Community Supporting Muslim Patients workshop. The workshop, designed to introduce the Atlanta Muslim community to the basics of clinical chaplaincy, attracted approximately 30 diverse participants. ISB members in attendance included Ms. Rania Atef, Dr. Mona Megahed, Ms. Nehal Shamma, and Mr. Amjad Taufique, who helped plan the event.
Imam Plemon T. El-Amin of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam and Imam Furqan Muhammad of Masjid Al-Muminoon shared their vast chaplaincy experience with the audience.
The program included an overview of what hospital chaplains do, a panel discussion on spirituality and healing, role plays, a panel on death and dying, and a look at how participants can become part of the chaplaincy program.
Soumaya Khalifa writes, "The feedback received was very positive and very promising."
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| Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr Keynote Speaker at ISB Dinner |  | | The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta was honored to host Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the world's most influential Muslims, on Saturday, October 16 at the sixth annual Building Bridges Awards Dinner.
Over 200 guests listened to Dr. Nasr's keynote address, "The Chain of Prophecy and the Prophet of Islam," and witnessed the handing out of Lifetime Achievement, Speaker of the Year, and Building Bridges Awards. Look for more details and a photo gallery in our November newsletter. |
| Diverse Audiences Learn About American Muslims |
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During the last week of September, Mr. Abdullah Kapic presented at Emerson Unitarian Universalist in Marietta, while Mr. Mansour Ansari and Ms. Hounada Sinno Fakhoury presented at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School.
Mr. Kapic addressed an audience of approximately 50 adults during Sunday service. Participants watched a documentary on Islam prior to the ISB presentation but felt they got more out of meeting and learning from Mr. Kapic.
Mr. Ansari and Ms. Sinno Fakhoury also received positive feedback after their presentations to classes at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School. Students and faculty alike remarked that meeting American Muslims had helped them "change their views." |
Remembering 9/11 at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
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Last month, Soumaya Khalifa attended a TSA-sponsored 9/11 service at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Gale D. Rossides, Deputy Administrator of the TSA, offered remarks. The TSA also held similar ceremonies at airports across the nation.
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ISB Visits College Classes
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In September, Dr. S. Rashid Naim presented an overview of American Muslims and Islam to nursing students at Clayton State University and introduced aspiring social workers at Kennesaw State University
to Islamic contributions to civilization. The students were very
engaged and were particularly interested in learning more about Islam
and gender.
Also in September, Mr. Mansour Ansari spoke to students in training to become EFL instructors at UGA's Gwinnett Campus.
The students, who were mainly Korean Americans, appreciated the
cross-cultural nature of the presentation. Mr. Ansari writes, "The class
was very receptive to the materials and content of the presentation and
we all had a great time."
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ISB Invited to Present to Church and Senior Communities
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Mr. Bassem Fakhoury spoke to a Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Snellville last month. The fellowship breakfasts attracts approximately 40 participants who meet once a month for breakfast and learning.
Mr.
Fakhoury's visit was a continuation of his summer dialogue with church
members. He shares, "Audience members were very engaged and were very
interested in learning about the role and position of Jesus, peace be
upon him, in the Islamic tradition."
Mr. Mansour Ansari visited the Hammond Glen Senior Community in Sandy Springs in September. The presentation, an overview of American Muslims and
Islam, was concluded with a lively Q & A session. Audience members
expressed their appreciation for Mr. Ansari's patience and candor. |
| Did You Know? |
The oldest mosque in Atlanta is the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, which was established over fifty years ago. To learn more, visit atlantamasjid.com.
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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 electronically using the button
below. |
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