Greetings! As we are approaching an important holiday this week, Independence Day, we at the Islamic Speakers Bureau would like for all of us to reflect on the message of inclusion and tolerance bestowed upon us by our nation's Founding Fathers. ISB speakers had this message in mind during the month of June as they approached all speaking engagements (see "Presentations" on right side) as well as showed support and solidarity with other organizations (see "ISB Congratulates Civil and Human Rights Center on Breaking Ground at Future Site" and "ISB Participates in Interfaith Conference for the Disabled" below). Also during the month of June, the Islamic Speakers Bureau has achieved yet another accomplishment! The ISB along with the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA, made it possible to bring to Atlanta the film premiere of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World. The audience witnessed on the big screen the richness and diversity of of Islamic art through the centuries (see "Islamic Art Film Premiere" below). I want to take this opportunity to remind you that an important ISB project deserves your immediate attention. The Summer Lunch Program (making lunches available during the summer months to low income children who normally receive free lunches during the school year) is well underway and needs your help. You may choose to sponsor a child's lunch or volunteer your time to help deliver the lunches (see details in "Summer Lunch Program: Volunteers Needed" 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
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| Islamic Art Film Premiere |
 The Islamic Speakers Bureau partnered with the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA to bring to Atlanta a film documentary on the rich history of Islamic art.
Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World, a Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) film, premiered in Atlanta at the Woodruff Arts Center's Rich Theatre on June 30. The Atlanta premiere is the last in a series of premieres in major cities around the country.
The event, which was Emceed by award winning television journalist Angela Robinson, was attended by an audience of nearly 400 people. The program began with opening and welcoming remarks from ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa and Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA President Aziz Hashim. The event featured Executive Producer and Co-Founder of UPF Michael Wolfe as guest speaker.
The 90-minute documentary explores the stories behind the masterworks of Islamic art and architecture. It highlights the richness and diversity of the artistic achievements of various Muslim civilizations across nine countries over 1400 years of history. It features objects big and small, from great ornamented palaces and monumental mosques to the exquisite beauty of ceramics, carved boxes, paintings and metal work.
"Islamic Art...traces grand themes over centuries and draws parallels and distinctions with other cultures," said Wolfe. "Viewers may experience this film as one long surprise...Surprise at the dynamic interplay between the beautiful and the useful, the courtly and the popular, the sacred and profane," he added.
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. PBS will broadcast the film nationally on July 6.
For more information on the film, please click here or visit the ISB website.
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ISB Congratulates Civil and Human Rights Center on Breaking Ground at Future Site
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The ISB congratulates the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) on breaking ground at the institution's future site at Pemberton Place on June 27.
NCCHR celebrated groundbreaking with supporters and allies during an invitation only "shovel ceremony" event to mark the beginning of its construction process. NCCHR CEO Doug Shipman was joined by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, other government officials, civic leaders and celebrities. Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa also was in attendance. "Our vision of opening a cultural institution where people can learn about global civil and human rights struggles continues with this significant milestone," said Shipman
 | From Left to Right: ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa, ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid, and Imran Siddiqi
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The ceremony was followed by a celebratory luncheon at the Georgia Aquarium during which the invocation was delivered by President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Imam Mohamed Magid.
NCCHR will host civil and human rights conversations among scholars, organizations and the public. In addition to providing a platform for ongoing dialogue on a variety of human rights topics, the 35,000 square foot facility will also display the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection (King Papers) and the award-winning Without Sanctuary lynching exhibit. The expected opening day for the center is in summer 2014.
Fore more information on NCCHR, please click here. |
| ISB Participates In Interfaith Conference for the Disabled | |
ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa and ISB Speaker Salma Stoman recently served as host families to members from L'Arche, an advocacy organization with chapters world wide that builds inclusive faith communities for the intellectually disabled.
Members of L'Arche International gathered in Atlanta for the International General Assembly, a weeklong meeting of 500 participants (approximately 100 are adults living with intellectual disabilities) from about 40 countries from a broad range of christian denominations and religious faiths as well as from non-faith stances. The assembly convened on the campus of Agnes Scott College the week of June 3 to June 10.
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From Left to Right: Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus of The Temple, ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa
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Khalifa, who hosted a group from Montreal and Hamilton, Canda, also participated in the conference's annual interfaith service on June 6. Following the Muslim call for prayer by Shahir Raslan, Khalifa read from the Quran and delivered a prayer for peace. Also participating in the interfaith service were representatives from the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths. Stoman hosted a group of four French women. "It was a wonderful weekend hosting the ladies. It was great to see the impact that the organization has all over the world," Said Stoman. For more information on L'Arche, please click here. For more information on the conference, please click here.
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ING Affiliate Conference Focuses on Capacity Building
|  ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa attended and participated in a conference for the Islamic Networks Group (ING) in San Jose, CA on June 8 - 10.
The heads of affiliate organizations of the ING, including ISB-Atlanta, convened in Silicon Valley for three days of training, networking and capacity building. The theme of the ING Annual Affiliate Conference 2012 was "Leaving Your Legacy - Building Capacity of Your Non-Profit Organization."
Khalifa conducted a presentation workshop titled, "Engaging With Community Partners," focussing on the importance of partnerships between community organizations to help facilitate sharing of resources and ideas.
ING affiliates are independently incorporated non-profit organizations across the United States that undertake ING's work of educating the public on American Muslims and teaching about their traditions and contributions in the context of America's history and cultural diversity.
To view photos and more information on conference, please click here. |
| Summer Lunch Program: Volunteers Needed |
 Volunteers are still needed for the annual Summer Lunch Program, providing nutritious lunches during the summer months to children who normally receive free lunches during the school year. The program is well under way, completing four weeks and has six more weeks left.
According to Amani Elghoroury, drivers are needed to deliver lunches to the children. To volunteer, please contact Elghoroury at Elghoroury@comcast.net.
Summer Lunch Program is providing lunches to more than 300 children. 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 make the Summer Lunch Program a success. This year, Action Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding, housing, educating and serving the disadvantaged, is incorporating the Summer Lunch Program with its existing program Smart Lunch, Smart Kid.
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. |
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Upcoming Events
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What: Summer Lunch Program
Where: Islamic Community Center of Atlanta
When: June 8 - August 10
What: Creating Safe Spaces for Interfaith Work through
Commitment to Universal Principles
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
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| Presentations | Amin Tomeh presented "Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith" to a group of 15 rising juniors at the Holy Innocents Episcopal School on June 5. The students attending a summer school Ethics class, are asked to answer whether the practice of religion help a person in becoming tolerant or intolerant of others. The goal of the presentation was to for the students to have a better understanding of diversity, tolerance and acceptance. ISB speakers Fouad Kurdi and Fairyal Halim also assisted Tomeh during the presentation.
Fairyal Halim returned to the Holy Innocents Episcopal School to conduct the same presentation to another group of students and their teachers, a total of 15 people.
"The presentation was well received and the students were engaged," said Halim.
Soumaya Khalifa and Amin Tomeh co-presented to a group of 30 members of the Atlanta Muslims Young Professionals (AMYP) on June 30. The presentation was part of a larger AMYP conference focussed on professional development.
 | | Photo Courtesy of AMYP |
 | | Photo courtesy of AMYP |
For the purposes of the conference, Khalifa and Tomeh delivered a customized presentation titled, "Conveying Islam in the workplace through Professionalism and Etiquette" drawing from "Meaningful Conversations," an ISB pioneered model designed to give Muslims the tools to promote interfaith dialogue.
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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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