Greetings! Over the years, within the context of building bridges of understanding between American Muslims and Americans of all traditions, the Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) has turned to the arts to help convey its message. It is no surprise then that, hearing of a new film about Islamic art that is soon to be released, the ISB embraced the opportunity to bring it to Atlanta (see story "Islamic Art Film Premier, Sponsors Needed!" below). It is also rewarding to have these efforts widely recognized (see story "Interfaith Art Gala Wins Best Social Program of the Year Award" below). As usual, with April being no exception, the ISB message was also conveyed through the more direct route of face to face encounters. The ISB team has worked tirelessly this month by conducting a number of presentations to a variety of audiences in the Atlanta metro area (see "Presentations" on right).
As we enter the month of May, an important holiday is soon approaching. On behalf of the ISB family, I would like to wish all mothers a Happy Mother's Day! Also approaching is the Summer Lunch Program (making lunches available during the summer months to low income children who normally receive free lunches during the school year).
Please remember, ISB's efforts are 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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Islamic Art Film Premier,
Sponsors Needed! |
 The ISB is partnering with the Ismaili Council for Southeast USA to bring Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World to Atlanta on June 30. Sponsors for the event are needed.
The documentary film, which is presented by Unity Production Foundation (UPF), reveals the variety and diversity of Islamic art. The film will be nationally televised on July 6 on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
The ninety-minute documentary takes audiences on a journey across nine countries and over 1,400 years of history to explore the richness of Islamic art in objects ranging from great ornamented palaces and monumental mosques to the beauty of ceramics, carved boxes, paintings and metal work as well as the unique ways in which Islamic art turns calligraphy and the written word into masterpieces (see website).
Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World is a documentary film from Executive Producers Alex Kronemer and Michael Wolfe (Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet). It is Produced and directed by Rob Gardner and narrated by Academy Award Winning Performer Susan Sarandon. The June 30 Atlanta premier of Islamic Art will be at the Woodruff Center. To sponsor the premier, please contact the ISB here. |
Interfaith Art Gala Wins Best
Social Program Of the Year Award |
 The Interfaith Art Gala: The Beauty of Unity received national coverage and was recently awarded the "Emory 2011-2012 Best Social/ Entertainment Program of the Year Award."
The interfaith art event, which was sponsored by the ISB (see March
newsletter here) and presented by Emory University's Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Hillel Jewish student organization on March 25, was also featured on CNN.com on April 26.
"The program strives to use art to promote understanding and tolerance," the CNN article stated. "We want to serve as a model for other schools, to show that this is what other campuses should try to strive for in terms of Muslim-Jewish relations," said Asad Abdulla, president of the Emory MSA.
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Khalifa, The Life of a
Muslim Woman in America |
 ISB's Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa was invited to speak to an international class about The Life of a Muslim Woman in America.
On April 22, Khalifa spoke to a group of 25 people at the First Presbyterian Church. She referenced her personal life story published in the Green Card Stories, a book of essays published in November 2011. Khalifa talked to the group about coming to the United States as a child and growing up as a Muslim woman. Her presentation focused on the experiences and challenges of a Muslim woman's life including living with multiple identities, in her case being an American, a Muslim and an Egyptian. Khalifa's personal experiences were a major influence and served as a catalyst in her decision to launch the Atlanta chapter of the ISB.
Audience members were especially curious about Khalifa's identity challenges, with one person remarking she was touched by this point and found resonance in her own life experience. |
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Upcoming Events
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Where: Agnes Scott College in Decatur
When: June 1 - June 10
What: "How to Build Interfaith Partnerships"
When: June 8 - June 11
Where: Woodruff Arts Center
When: June 30 (more information coming soon on ISB website).
What: Impact of ISB
Where: North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) Conference.
When: July 16 and 17.
What: GA PTA Convention and Leadership Training
Where: Classic Center, Athens, GA
When: July 13 & 14.
Where: To be determined
When: November 10
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| Presentations | | |
Noor Abbady and Iqbal Kalla presented to a group of 30 11th and 12th grade students from Parkview Christian Learning Center (PCLC) on April 12. The PCLC provides released time religious education classes to local high school students.
The students were able to ask questions throughout the presentation.
Mansour Ansari presented "Overview of American Muslims and Their Faith" to a group of 30 members of the Northside Kiwanis Club meeting at First Presbyterian Church on April 20. The general feedback Ansari received after the presentation is that the audience "learned more about Islam in that short session than they thought they knew for many years," Ansari said.
Salma Stoman presented at Clayton State University to a class in the Global TESOL Program (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) on April 21. Ashraf Awad also attended the presentation.
Ehab Jaleel, accompanied by Reem Faruqi, presented to a group of more than 100 5th grade students from Lovett School at Al-Farooq Masjid on April 24. This was the seventh annual visit to Al-Farooq Masjid by the Lovett School organized by Reverend Laura Jernigan. Each year Reverend Jernigan has asked for ISB speaker Jaleel to host the group. The students were taken on a tour of the mosque following a basic introduction to Islam presentation.
In past years, depending on scheduling opportunities, Lovett students were introduced to 5th grade students attending the Al-Farooq adjacent Dar-un-Noor Academy Islamic School.
"The Lovett group is one of my favorite to speak to; they are curious, respectful, and knowledgeable about Islam," said Jaleel. "Reverend Jernigan has been a great partner in fostering better understanding and mutual respect with her students," he added.
Salma Stoman and Noor Abbady co-presented "Women in Islam" to two all-girl classes at Marist School on April 24. ISB speakers were requested by theology teacher Jacqueline Robicheaux. Each class included 12 students and one staff member invited by Ms. Robicheaux. The ISB is regularly invited to Marist School.
Howard Alan presented "Overview of American Muslims and Their Faith" to a sixth grade class at the Waldorf School of Atlanta on April 25. The students were encouraged to ask questions of interest to them throughout the presentation.
Dr. Bilal Mark King and Dr. Abdullah Kapic delivered a total of 6 presentations, three each, to domestic violence activists, program staff, and volunteers at Peace Baptist Church at Rehoboth. Each session was attended by 4 to 15 people interested in hearing the cultural and religious perspectives on domestic violence within the different American Muslim communities.
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About 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). |
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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