Greetings! May has been an eventful month. As we celebrated Memorial Day weekend, we at the Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) took a moment to recognize, honor and commemorate the sacrifices of countless Americans. It is through their efforts that, among other things, we can proudly claim to be a nation that honors freedom of religion and the diversity of all Americans. May has also been a time for processions and graduation ceremonies. On behalf of the ISB, I offer my congratulations in general to the many scholars at all levels of academia who have reached this important milestone. In specific, I would like to acknowledge one of our own: ISB speaker Ibrahim Awad for graduating from Georgia State University's College of law. We now turn the calendar to June and the summer months ahead. The ISB is proud to bring to Atlanta a film that is both beautiful and insightful. Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World will be premiering on June 30 at the Woodruff Art Center's Rich Theatre. It is a documentary worth seeing, as it offers a unique and important window into the impact of Islamic art through the centuries (see "Islamic Art Film Premier" below). 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). You may choose to sponsor a child's lunch for a week or contribute to the entire program (see details in "Summer Lunch Program" below). 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
|
| Islamic Art Film Premier | |
The Islamic Speakers Bureau, Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA, and Unity Production Foundation (UPF) are proud to present the film premiere of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World.
The documentary film explores the stories behind the masterworks of Islamic art and architecture.
Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World is narrated by Academy Award-winning Actress Susan Sarandon, produced by Executive Producers Michael Wolfe and Alex Kronemer, and directed by Academy Award-nominated and Emmy winning Film Director Rob Gardner. The documentary film will premiere in Atlanta on Saturday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rich Theatre in the Woodruff Arts Center located at 1280 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information on the film, please click here or visit the ISB website. For ticket information, please click here. |
| Summer Lunch Program |
 In continuation of its annual tradition of participating in the Summer Lunch Program, the ISB is reaching out its friends and supporters for help.
For seven years, the ISB has teamed up with the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta (ICCA), along with other faith organizations in Fayette County, to provide nutritious lunches during the summer months to children who normally receive free lunches during the school year.
"Here is a wonderful opportunity to give and make a difference," said Amani Elghoroury, who is spearheading the effort on behalf of the ISB. "We need your participation and donations to continue to be able to serve the children of Fayette County," Elghoroury said.
This year, the Summer Lunch Program will reach more than 300 children. Volunteers are needed to prepare the lunches as well as drive them to the children's homes. To volunteer, please contact Elghoroury at Elghoroury@comcast.net.
The estimated cost for a child's lunch per week is $50 ($1500 to feed all 300 children per week). To sponsor a child's lunch per week or to make a general donation to the program, please mail checks to ISB Atlanta (tagged for Summer Lunch Program), P.O. Box 2608, Peachtree City, GA 30269 or click here. |
Interfaith Gathering Aimed At
Fostering Working Relationships |
 The ISB participated in an interfaith gathering aimed at promoting an environment of unity between the Baptist and Muslim communities on May 17. The co-sponsored event, which was hosted by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia (CBF/GA) Interfaith Taskforce and leaders of the Muslim Community, was held at the Mercer University Administration and Conference Center. The event was attended by 30 individuals, including members of the CBF/GA and the Muslim community at large, with participants from Al Farooq Masjid of Atlanta, the ISB and the Turkish communities. Also in attendance were ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa and ISB Speakers Zaheer Faruqi and Amin Tomeh. "The intent of the gathering was to build a working relationship between the CBF and the Muslim communities," said Tomeh. It centered on three thought-starter questions: 1) How important is interfaith dialogue? 2) What are the goals for building an interfaith neighborhood? and 3) what mightt be the next steps? explained Tomeh.
The CBF/GA has had a similar effort with the Jewish community and hoped to extend what it considered a successful initiative to its Muslim neighbors.
The event began with opening remarks from leaders of the cosponsoring organizations and followed by a dinner during which several smaller groups had the opportunity to learn about each other and share experiences.
"After the dinner, event participants shared their answers to the questions that were posed and in so doing helped foster a unifying environment upon which to build future dialogues and relationships among the two communities," Tomeh concluded.
|
|
Upcoming Events
| | |
What: Summer Lunch Program
Where: Islamic Community Center of Atlanta
When: June 8 - August 10
Where: Agnes Scott College in Decatur
When: June 1 - June 10
What: "How to Build Interfaith Partnerships"
When: June 8 - June 11 (for more information, click here).
premier
Where: Rich Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center
When: June 30 (for more information, visit the ISB
What: Impact of ISB
Where: North American Interfaith Network (NAIN)
Conference.
When: July 16 and 17 (for more information, click here).
What: GA PTA Convention and Leadership Training
Where: Classic Center, Athens, GA
When: July 13 & 14.
Where: To be determined
When: November 10
|
|
|
|
|
| Presentations | | |
On May 5, Huma Faruqi and Slma Shelbayah hosted a group of 20 young Christians attending a convention in the Atlanta area. The two ISB speakers hosted the group at the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta (ICCA) for a brief presentation on the beliefs and practices of Muslims as well as a an opportunity for conversation with young American Muslims. The group leader has brought other groups to the ICCA in the past for similar presentations.
On May 6, Slma Shelbaya, Rania Atef and Noor Abbady presented "Overview of American Muslims and Their Faith" to an international class at the First Presbyterian Church. The class was first introduced to the ISB a few weeks ago when Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa spoke to them about the "Life of a Muslim Woman in America" ( to view article in last month's issue, click here).
Also on May 6, Soumaya Khalifa visited the Roswell community Masjid to speak to a Sunday class of fifteen middle school children about the subject of "pioneers."
Khalifa discussed the role of the ISB as a pioneer organization in building bridges of understanding between Muslims and Americans of all traditions.
On May 20, Noor Abbady presented "Exploring Muslim Traditions and their Practices" to a group of 12 middle school children and their parents from Kids For Peace, an interfaith organization that organizes summer camps for 12 children from the U.S. and 12 children from Jerusalem (Jewish, Christian and Muslim). This is the eighth year that the ISB is invited to present to Kids For Peace. For more information on the organization, please click here.
On May 22, Huma Faruqi, Alan Howard and Noor Abbady conducted four presentation sessions to a total of 80 students at Marist School. Theology teacher Dr. Douglas Seanor regularly invites the ISB speakers to his classes. ISB speakers in training Ashraf Awad and Fairyal Halim also attended.
|
|
About 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). |
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.
|
Friend Us on Facebook!
|
 |
Contact Us
|  |
|
|
|
