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Greetings!
March is Women's History Month. It traces its history to International Women's Day celebrated on March 8 in the industrialized world since the 1900s. During the entire month -- and specifically on this day -- women are honored and their achievements are noted. It is also a time when issues of gender equality and empowerment are discussed and reflected upon.
In commemoration of International Women's Day, I traveled to Kuwait in early March to participate in the International Women's Day Symposium as well as speak to women on self-empowerment through education, work and civic service. (See story below.)
On a more personal note, I also participated in a "Salute to Women" event at the Hillside International Chapel and Truth Center. I chose to honor my mother, the late Dr. Aida Geumei, a woman who made a significant difference in my life. (See Presentations on column to the right.)
We at ISB salute all women, and specifically want to note the important contributions of our female speakers who through their engagements serve as positive role models to young women everywhere.
As always, ISB's work is only possible through the generous support and contribution of its members and supporters. You can make a secure online donation through our website or mail a check to ISB Atlanta, P.O. Box 2608, Peachtree City, GA 30269. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you,
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director
ISB Atlanta
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International Women's Day Symposium
| ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa traveled to Kuwait early this month to speak at various events dedicated to the empowerment of women.
The event-packed trip included a panel discussion at Kuwait University's First International Women's Day Symposium commemorating International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8. The two-day symposium, held at the university's Women's Studies Unit, provided an opportunity to celebrate women, promote gender equality, and discuss how far women issues have evolved.
In addition to the symposium, Khalifa also spoke to women of various ages and backgrounds. She met with a group of high school and university students and discussed with them how to start one's own business.
At the women's group of the Islamic Cultural Center, Khalifa discussed the role of women's interfaith work in the United States, specifically within the ISB. She also presented to a local women's business group on empowerment of women in the workplace.
The trip was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait and organized by the Department of State's U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program, which selects U.S. experts to deliver lectures, serve as consultants and conduct seminars overseas. As a guest of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, Khalifa attended a private reception in her honor at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Deborah Jones.
 | | Soumaya Khalifa interview with Al-Anba reporter |
During her stay in Kuwait, Khalifa was interviewed by Al-Anba newspaper in regards to the interfaith work of the ISB and its mission in bridging the gap of understanding between the Muslim world and the U.S. The article published in Arabic can be viewed here. For PDF version of translated excerpts from the article, click here.
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ISB Responds To King's Hearings
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In response to the March 10 Congressional Hearings on the radicalization of American Muslims by Rep. Peter King (R-New York), ISB Atlanta issued a press release condemning the hearings. The release, dated March 11, stated that the hearings are "an effort that undermine American values, our Constitution as well as great progress in civic engagement, interfaith work and cooperation with the police achieved over the last decade." Voicing further concern about the hearings, ISB Executive Director Soumay Khalifa told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, "this is very scary. It gives congressional approval for hate against Muslims." The entire article can be viewed here. |
Review at Spelman College
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ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa was deeply honored to be invited by Spelman College to participate in an external review of its Chapel programs. The Sisters Chapel Review Process ensures that the Chapel programs are meeting the religious and spiritual needs of Spelman students and promotes a religiously diverse community.
Khalifa participated in a focus group that met on Friday, March 25, to provide input to improve the impact of Sister Chapel programs.
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Taste of Limmud Conference
| ISB speaker Dr. Mohamed Khalifa co-facilitated a discussion on how Prophet Abraham is depicted in Jewish and Islamic texts with Dr. Jonathan Crane, a rabbi and professor at Emory University's Center for Ethics. "Breaking Traditions: Abraham in Jewish and Islamic Texts, a Study & Discussion"was hosted by the Emory University Hillel chapter on March 27 during the "Taste of Limmud Conference."
To view entire program please click here.
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| Upcoming Events | |
Azizah Magazine's 10th Anniversary Gala
Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa was asked to speak at Azizah Magazine's 10th Anniversary Gala, "Evening of Empowering Voices" to be held on April 9. For more information, visit the 10th Anniversary Gala website.
"I Speak For Myself" Muslim Women Panel
On April 19, ISB will partner with Georgia State University's (GSU) Middle East Institute, Religious Studies Department, and Women's Studies Department to bring a panel of Muslim women who contributed to the book "I Speak for Myself." Click here to view profiles of authors who contributed essays to the book.
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Testimonial
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"As an interfaith group network in Ghana West Africa, we believe relationships across religious differences must involve mutual understanding, respect and honesty without requiring agreement or attempt to minimize differences. We are very impressed with your educative programs."
Office of The Regional Chief Imam -Kumasi/Ghana
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| Presentations | |
Rabbi Pamela Gottfried of The Lisa F. Brill Institute for Jewish Learning hosted ISB's Bassem Fakhoury on March 1 to present "Islam and Muslims" to a group of 35 students learning about world religions. The class was held at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) in Dunwoody.
On March 6, Fakhoury was joined by his wife Hounada Fakhoury to speak to a group of 40 young professionals at the
Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.
ISB speakers Abdullah Kapic, Dr. Mansa Bilal Mark King, and Mansour Ansari teamed up on March 6, to continue discussion about Islam at St. James United Methodist Church that started the previous Sunday, February 27.
ISB's Jelena Naim was hosted by Dr. Sara Shope to speak to a class of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Georgia Gwinnett campus in Lawrenceville on March 12.
Naim was hosted again by Dr. Shope on March 20, to speak to another TESOL class at Clayton State University in Morrow.
On March 21, Naim joined the "Diversity Summit" panel composed of multicultural community members, in order to take questions from an audience of East Cobb Schools Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
On March 14, Salma Stoman presented to a class of 20 students on at Wesleyan School.
On March 19, Huma Faruqi was joined by Stoman in hosting a group of 20 congregates from the Dogwood Church at the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta (ICCA) in Fayetteville for a "Muslims in America" presentation.
Also at ICCA, Stoman hosted a group of 16 students on March 24 from Bryan College, a Christian liberal arts college in Dayton, Tennessee.
ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa was invited on March 20 to participate in Hillside International Chapel and Truth Center's "Salute to Women" event in honor of Women's History Month. Each Sunday during the month of March, women of different backgrounds are invited to salute women in their lives who made a difference. Khalifa chose to speak about her mother. Khalifa also conducted a two-hour training session on March 24 for US Attorney the Honorable Sally Yates and her immediate staff. Khalifa also attended the National Council of Jewish Women Interfaith Luncheon on Tuesday March 29. |
About the ISB
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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). |
Your Support Is Needed
| Since 2001, the ISB has been at the forefront of interfaith partnership and dialogue between Atlanta Muslims and members of other faith communities. This work is critical. However, we cannot sustain our efforts without your support. Our work depends on the support of community members -- women and men like you, who value the importance of building bridges of understanding and dialogue.
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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Volunteer
| | Volunteerism is one of the primary drivers of our continued growth and success. Most of our volunteers are students or full-time professionals who find the time to contribute to non-profit work. In return, they find great satisfaction and fulfillment by providing an important service to their community. For more information click here. For an ISB Volunteer Request Form, click here.
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