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IRG Board Members
| Dr. Ahmad Fahmy
Jill Joseph
Khalil Houri
Nehrwr Abdulwahid
Dr. Onder Uluyol
Dr. Tamim Saidi
Zafar Siddiqui
Zaid Khalid
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Organizational Changes at IRG
| | Dear friends,
Assalamu alaikum (Greetings of peace!)
I am happy to announce that Dr. Onder Uluyol is IRG's new president. Dr. Uluyol's unanimous election as the new president of IRG provides a timely leadership transition as IRG looks forward to the next decade of service to the Minnesota community.
I am going to take a new role in IRG as the director of interfaith and civic relations. My new role in the board will help further the strategic plan that IRG has adopted for the next decade. Dr. Uluyol will be handing over the treasurer duties to the new IRG treasurer.
Having worked with Dr. Uluyol in various boards and having known him for over ten years, I can say with confidence that he is best suited to provide strategic and focused leadership to take IRG to the next level. Apart from being the IRG treasurer, Dr. Uluyol lead two key projects for IRG. He lead the Minnesota Historical Society project, "Muslim Experience in Minnesota", and the Annual Building Bridges Awards project. Both of these projects were very successful.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Uluyol to this new role. He can be reached at onderu@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Zafar Siddiqui
(Past President of IRG)
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Rochester Mayor Honors IRG Speakers
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 Rashed Ferdous Receiving Mayoral Gold Medal of Honor
On December 14, 2011, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede, awarded IRG speakers Rana Mikati, Dr. Arzu Khalid, and Rashed Ferdous with the Mayoral Gold Medal of Honor for promoting diversity in Rochester.
The nomination statement captured the tremendous efforts these sisters and brothers put in the past decade in Rochester. The text of the nomination read as follows:
"During the last ten years Rana, Arzu and Rashed have devoted themselves to promoting good will, hope and understanding. Their messages have been heard on radio, TV, in Community Ed programs of our city and surrounding areas; in personal interviews; as guest speakers for varied business organizations, high school baccalaureate programs and Open Houses at the local Mosque.
They continue to reach out to local churches, synagogues, and temples to spread messages of peace. They also befriend our community neighbors at local men's and women's clubs, of many cultures. They have written for newspapers and magazines and have been highlighted in each. They have helped build Habitat for Humanity Homes with people of all cultures, helped clean up the building site as well as paint the new Salvation Army housing and dental clinic on Broadway.
They have cleaned up city parks; they have worked with the homeless, the Diversity Council in education and joined the statewide JRLC.
I cannot think of more worthy recipients for this Diversity Award. I am humbled by them. I am so proud of them. We are blessed to have them as our neighbors."
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Featured Presentation of the Month
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IRG Speakers at Shambhala Center in Minneapolis
 In a first of its kind interaction between Muslims and Buddhists, IRG was invited by the Shambhala Center in Minneapolis to speak on the occasion of MLK Jr. Day. Two IRG speakers engaged about 40 people in the audience in a lively and respectful interactive 60 minute session. The Shambhala congregation accorded a warm welcome to the IRG speakers. IRG and Shambhala Center plans to build upon this initiative to further strengthen the relationship between these two organizations and their communities.
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Key Presentations in January 2012
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IRG Speaker Presents at Stephen's Episcopal Church in Edina
IRG presented to a group of 25 9th grade confirmation students at Stephen's Episcopal Church in Edina.
IRG Speaker at Buffalo High School, Buffalo
A World Religions Teacher at Buffalo High School in Buffalo MN has invited IRG to present to her 12th grade students for each term since last fall. This was the second presentation there to 30 students. Two more will follow.
IRG Speakers Invited to St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ in St. Paul
Two IRG speakers presented to a group of adults and children respectively at St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ. Community members were very welcoming and 25 adults and 10 children enjoyed learning more about Islam and Muslims.
IRG Speaker at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview
IRG presented to a group of15 11th and 12th grade students who were at a retreat at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview. This was the second presentation there. The same speaker was also invited last year.
IRG Speaker presents to students at Spectrum High School in Elk River
IRG presented to a group of 30 11th and 12th graders at Spectrum High School in Elk River.
IRG Speaker at St. Cloud Children's Home in St. Cloud
IRG presented to staff members at the St. Cloud Children's Home in St. Cloud on Islam, Muslim, and culture. IRG's presentation "A Culturally Competent Care for Muslim Patients" is a popular presentation at healthcare institutions.
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Feedback Comments
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"Thank you for allowing us to have a speaker at Spectrum High School. He was a wonderful, informative, engaging speaker, and my 11th and 12th grade students were unanimous in saying how much they learned from him. Thank you to the speaker and to IRG for all you are doing to further understanding among people!" (Teacher)
"I thought the program was interesting. I had pretty minimal knowledge of Muslim culture walking in. The speaker's talk was pretty informative. They seem like fun people, kind of amazing the power of putting a face to a culture. During the Q&A portion I was thinking how people could use more forums for this kind of one-on-one dialogue. I find getting to know other folks' belief systems kinda forces me to re-evaluate my own."(Attendee at the Shambhala Center)
"I learned a few things about Muslims and Islam that I did not know before. I learned that Muslims are prevalent all over the world, that many of their rules have exceptions, and that Islam has many things in common with Christianity and Judaism. I now have a better understanding and respect for a worldview different from my own, which will help prevent conflicts in the future." (A College Student)
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About IRG
Minnesota based Islamic Resource Group (IRG) is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization affiliated with Islamic Networks Group (ING). IRG's mission is to build bridges of understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims through educational programs.
IRG's work improves the quality of interaction between Muslims and people of other faiths in America through cultural competency training in schools, faith-based organizations, law enforcement agencies, corporations, social service agencies, and hospitals.
Support IRG's Work
Please send your generous donations to IRG to help continue building bridges of understanding and peace. Donations can be sent to IRG, P O Box 32634, Fridley, MN 55432.
You can also donate by clicking here.
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