Greetings! As we usher in the New Year, the Islamic Speakers Bureau must remain steadfast on its path to always engage in conversations and build lasting relationships with the ultimate goal of creating a community in which all people of all backgrounds are understood, respected and valued. January is not only the beginning of a New Year, it is also dedicated to the memory and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His ideals of acceptance and diversity are embodied into our work. As you will see in the January newsletter, our efforts this month focussed on promoting interfaith dialogue (see "ISB Executive Director Attends Luncheon with White House Interfaith Advisor"), providing tools to combat prejudice (see "ISB Participates in Women's Interfaith Discussion"), and celebrating diversity through interfaith and cross cultural relationships (see "Presentations" to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta). Please remember, ISB's efforts are only possible through the generous support and contributions 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. |
|
ISB Executive Director Attends Luncheon with White House Interfaith Advisor
|
 ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa attended a luncheon that hosted a member of a White House interfaith advisory board.
On January 7, the Rotary Club of Atlanta hosted Eboo Patel, member of President Barack Obama's inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships.
Patel, who is an American-Ismaili Muslim of Gujarati Indian heritage, is Founder and President of the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC). He partnered with White House Officials to develop President Obama's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, which encourages schools across the nation to make interfaith cooperation a campus priority. 
"Patel spoke about the pluralistic nature of the United States," reported ISB youth speaker Ruwa Romman who also attended the luncheon. Romman, a student at Oglethorpe University, is a committee member of COEXIST, a nonprofit organization that works to promote understanding of Jews, Christians and Muslims through education, dialogue and research. Following the luncheon, the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, an organization dedicated to the betterment of Atlanta region through philanthropy, invited Patel and a smaller group of community leaders to engage in further discussion about interfaith, intercultural and civic engagement, how to address the opportunities and barriers that exist, and ways to collectively ensure a vibrant community for all.
|
ISB Organizes "Being Your
Neighbor's Keeper" Food Drive |
 The ISB is taking the lead in bringing the Muslim community of Atlanta together to launch a food drive to help those in need.
"Being Your Neighbor's Keeper Food Drive," which was launched January 23 and will continue until March 6, was organized by ISB volunteer Amani Elghoroury. "I am so excited that so many of us have chosen to start the New Year by thinking of others, our neighbors," said Elghoroury.
Non-parishable food items will be donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Participants in the drive include Al-Falah Academy, Ilm Academy, congregants from the Islamic Society of South Atlanta, Masjid Al-Ihsaan, Roswell Community Masjid, the Islamic Community Center of Atlanta, Community of Bosniaks, Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah, the Islamic Center of Marietta, and Hamza Islamic Center.
To make a donation to this worthy cause, please contact Elghoroury at 678-656-4638.
|
ISB Participates in Women's
Interfaith Discussion | |
The ISB participated in a women's interfaith workshop and discussion on January 27.
 | | From Left to Right: Mary Manhardt, Soumaya Khalifa, Terry Carsick, Beth King, Hounada Sinno, Shelly Rose |
"Being an Ally: Standing Up to Prejudice and Discrimination," which was organized by the Roswell Interfaith Women's Group, was held at the Roswell Presbyterian Church. Leading the workshop were ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa and Associate Director at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Shelly Rose.
According to ISB speaker Fairyal Halim, who attended the workshop along with ISB speaker Hounada Sinno, Khalifa and Rose shared "six tools" on how to deal with prejudice. The attendees, around 40 women, were broken into groups and were asked to apply the tools to various real life situations.
|
|
ISB's Role in Panel Discussion Highlighted
in Reporter Newspapers
| |
A biweekly newspaper reported on a panel discussion in which ISB speakers were participants.
 | | Interfaith panelists at Pace Academy (with Noor Abbady and Fairyal Halim in the middle). Photo credit: Pace Communications |
The Reporter Newspapers published an article, "Pace Academy Panel Discussion Explores Faith Tradition," on January 1 that highlighted an interfaith panel discussion that took place on December 7, 2012 (click here to view ISB Atlanta News December issue). ISB speakers Noor Abbady and Fairyal Halim participated in the discussion titled, "Examining Our Traditions and Beliefs: A panel Discussion on Christianity, Islam, and Judaism."
Reporter Newspapers are delivered to residents in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven.
To read Reporter Newspapers article, please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save The Date
|  |
2013 ISB Annual Building Bridges Awards Dinner
Internationally acclaimed
author and media critic
Dr. Jack Shaheen
Keynote Speaker
November 9
|
|
"Meet Your Muslim Neighbor"
|  |
"Meet Your Muslim Neighbor," the sixteen-part series on Islam, is still airing (for more information on show times, click here).
The ISB teamed up with the Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB), an interfaith and educational television and internet network, to produce the show.
A wide range of topics have been selected to be addressed during each episode (for a full article, click here).
|
|
Presentations
| |
Soumaya Khalifa conducted a workshop for the Muslim Girl Scouts at the Roswell Community Masjid on January 18. This was part of a three-workshop series. The other two will be conducted in February and March.
The workshop titled, "It's All About You," focussed on how to create a personal brand and portray a positive image. Attending the workshop were ISB speakers Hounada Sinno and Rania Atef along with 25 Girl Scouts and some mothers. During the workshop, Khalifa explained the difference between "our self-image" and "the image people actually see," reported Sinno. "Khalifa stressed that it is crucial for each of us to define ourselves before others define us," Sinno continued. The girls were assigned homework on "How to Create Your Own Brand" to be reviewed at the next workshop in February.
On January 11, Khalifa was invited to speak to the Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta, an organization dedicated to connecting community members, nonprofits and other partners for the betterment of the Atlanta region through philanthropy.
Khalifa conducted a presentation about the history of ISB, its programs, and achievements. She also presented "Getting To Know American Muslims and Their Faith." Khalifa was invited as part of the Foundation's lunch and learn series. Members of the Foundation wanted to expand their understanding about American Muslims as they embark on a new project, "One Region Initiative." The new initiative focuses on increasing interfaith and cross-cultural relationships, with an emphasis on the engagement of Americans Muslims. "One Region Initiative" supports community building, leadership development and civic engagement efforts that address the rich diversity that exists in the Atlanta area.
Dr. Bilal King conducted "Roots of Islam in America" presentation to the Muslim Student Association at Kennesaw State University on January 29. "Most of the attendees were 1st or 2nd generation Muslim Americans, and they said that this information was very much appreciated," reported Dr. King. |
 |
 |
|
|
