Greetings!
July was another busy month for the ISB as our speakers continue to be in demand by a wide variety of groups and organizations seeking a better understanding of Islam and Muslims. This month, our speakers took part in a number of presentations committed to combating stereotypes, promoting interfaith dialogue, and building partnerships in education (see "Presentations" to the right). There has never been more of a need for eradicating misconceptions about Islam and Muslims than today as a wave of Islamophobia is sweeping across the country (see first story below).
As July comes to an end, Muslims here in Atlanta and from around the world, are welcoming the month of Ramadan, which begins August 1st. The holy month is a time of rejoicing for Muslims who welcome the opportunity to abstain from food and drink during the day, pray and reflect during the night, and increase their charitable actions throughout the month. The increase in charitable donations is a way of honoring the month's spirit of compassion, forgiveness, and mercy.
Here in Atlanta, that spirit of charitable giving is best reflected by a generous donor who on behalf of the ISB stepped forward to help a Muslim American woman weightlifter from Atlanta travel to a national competition this past month (see story below).
As always, ISB's work is only possible through the generous support and contribution of its friends 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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ISB's Khalifa Speaks Out Against Islamophobia On 11 Alive News
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 Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa appeared on 11 Alive News with Brenda Woods on July 19 to discuss the growing wave of Islamophobia across the nation, specifically the opposition to building a mosque in Lilburn, Georgia. A few months ago, the city of Lilburn voted down a request to build a mosque in one of the city's residential areas, stating that it is strictly a zoning issue. "I do understand about zoning...but if any other faith community was singled out the same way and called out the same way, a lot of people would be standing up and would be saying this is not fair, this is not our America," said Khalifa in response. Khalifa continued that freedom of religion is a constitutional right that is granted to all religions and does not single out any one religion in particular. For the entire interview, please click here. |
ISB Sponsored Muslim Woman Weightlifter Travel To National Competition
|  Thanks to a generous donation specifically for this case, the ISB was able to contribute towards Kulsoom Abdullah's travel to the U.S. National Weightlifting Championship.
Abdullah, an Olympic weightlifter who wears the hijab, received international media attention when she challenged weightlifting dress code requirements, set by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), that prevented her from competing on the national level.
Upon the IWF decision on June 29 to modify the rules, Abdullah competed in the 2011 USA Weightlifting National Competition, which took place in Council Bluffs, Iowa on July 15 - 17.
For more information on Abdullah's weightlifting journey, you can visit her website here. |
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Islam IQ Test
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The Huffington Post published a quiz, "Islam 101: Test Your Religion IQ," on July 8. According to the quiz, "Islam is the fastest growing and second largest religion in the world. However, surveys have shown that many remain largely uncertain about the beliefs and practices of Muslims."
To take the quiz, please click here.
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Emory Student Blogs About ISB's Positive Impact On Atlanta
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A student studying social science of religion at Emory University's Candler School of Theology highlights interfaith efforts made by ISB since 9/11 in his blog. In his article "Integrating Atlanta's Muslims: Interfaith Interaction Since 9/11," Scott Muir writes that the ISB and other similar interfaith organizations "played significant roles in the long, gradual process of establishing and integrating Atlanta's burgeoning Muslim population into the wider metro Atlanta faith community." For the entire article, please click here. |
Washington, DC Based Nonprofit Reaches Out To ISB For Advice
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 A nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC committed to the eradication of homelessness sought professional advice from the ISB. In an effort to improve the "Faces of Homelessness" Speakers Bureau program, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) reached out to the ISB to learn about ISB's programs and operations. The NCH found similarities between its mission of educating the housed population about the homeless and the ISB's mission to build bridges of understanding between Islam and Muslims and Americans of different faith traditions. For more information on "Faces of Homelessness," please click here. |
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). |
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Presentations
| Huma Faruqi presented "Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith" to a group of 20 Mythology students at the University of West Georgia on July 6. Faruqi, who was invited in the past by Dr. Lori Wilson Smith, addressed the students' questions about misperceptions they have about Islam. Dr. Smith thanked ISB for always "being a wonderful partner in education."
Continuing the series of presentations, the first of which began last month, for the Seniors Enriched Living (SEL), Zaynab Ansari discussed "Roots of Islam in America" on July 7 at Northbrook United Methodist Church in Roswell. The audience were pleased to learn that Muslims have long played an integral role in American history, especially in the South.
Along the same theme, Huma Faruqi continued the series with a presentation on "Muslim Contribution to Civilization" to the SEL on July 14. Kathleen Rieter, SEL planner and organizer, reported that Faruqi "was exceptionally well received by the audience."
The final part of the ISB series for the SEL was presented by Mansour Ansari and Amin Tomeh on July 21. The Q & A session allowed the audience to ask questions in regards to information they have learned from the last three presentations. According to Rieter, "it was my pleasure to help the ISB with its goal of creating religious understanding and tolerance...[Tomeh and Ansari] did a great job building those bridges."
SEL, which provides continuing education for seniors in North Fulton, requested a four part series of presentations from the ISB about Islam and Muslims.
Mansour Ansari was joined by Bassem Fakhoury on July 9 in conducting a "Meaningful Conversations" workshop, an approach that gives Muslims the tools to promote interfaith dialogue, to two groups of 50 people each at the National Muslim InterScholastic Tournament held at Kennesaw State University. Salma Stoman and Zaynab Ansari presented to a group of 20 seniors from LIFESPAN Resources, a nonprofit that provides life-enriching programs to retired people, at the Cathedral of St. Philip on July 14. Jeanne Merritt, LIFESPAN board member (pictured below with Stoman and Ansari), said 
"I recommend you all the time," referring to ISB.
Dr. Mansa Bilal King and Salma Stoman conducted a customized workshop for the staff at the Office of Residential and Community Life at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech). The speakers were invited to provide the staff tips on how to be culturally sensitive to Muslim students in order to make GA Tech an even better place for its Muslim students to live and interact.
| Bassem Fakhoury presented "Overview of American Muslims and Their Faith" on July 25 to a world religion class at Temple Sinai. The class consisted of 40 registrants in the Perimeter Adult Learning and Services (PALS) program. In effort to clear up common misconception, the presentation focused on the true teachings of Islam.
Zaynab Ansari presented "Muslim Contribution to Civilization" to 40 middle and high school students at the Roswell Community Masjid on July 28.
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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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