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Greetings!
This has been a difficult last few weeks for us, both as Americans and as Muslims. We were all horrified as our country was again attacked by extremists in Boston. Additionally, and sadly, those same extremists attempted to justify their heinous actions by citing Islam, in direct contravention of everything that we know and believe to be the true nature of our religion. A sentiment that is very well expressed by comedian, writer and producer Dean Obeidallah, "I'm a Muslim, and I hate Terrorism."
Indeed, these last few weeks have tested us as communities and as a nation. But as so often has happened in the past, we as a nation have begun to pull together to heal and mourn the national loss of lives. Thankfully, this seems to be a strong national characteristic that all Americans share - irrespective of heritage or religion. When challenged, we fall back on the ideals that have come to define and unite us. And so our hearts are with those who lost loved ones and who were negatively impacted by what happened.
On a more personal note, we here in Atlanta also mourn the loss of a dear friend of ours. Fellow ISB friend and supporter, Aila Masud, was tragically killed this week in a traffic accident (read news story here). A devoted mother and community leader, Masud helped and inspired many of us, and her presence will be sorely missed. Our prayers and condolences go out to her family.
These tragedies serve as a reminder that we need to appreciate and love people around us. And no better person to start with than the mother in your life. ISB sends its well wishes to all mothers on Mother's Day. The ISB also sends well wishes to the Orthodox and Coptic Christians who celebrated Palm Sunday on Sunday, April 28 and will celebrate Easter on May 5. Finally, I would like to send love and appreciation to all ISB friends and readers.
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ISB Speakers Showcase Books On Islam
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 | | Noor Abbady and Dr. Sandra Bird |
ISB speakers partnered with a public libraty to feature books and films on Islam throughout the month of April.
To help promote the "Bridging Cultures Bookshelf on Muslim Journeys," ISB speakers Bassem Fakhoury, Zaynab Ansari, Dr. Rashid Naim, Alan Howard, Mansour Ansari, Ehab Jaleel and ISB friend and advisor Dr. Sandra Bird conducted presentations and showcased films on Islam at the Clarkston library location on April 6, April 13, April 20 and April 27. "The Muslim Journeys Bookshelf" is a collection of books, films, and other resources on the people, places, histories, beliefs, practices, and cultures of Muslims in the United States and abroad. ISB speaker Noor Abbady is the lead on coordinating this project (click here to view photo gallery).
 | | Muslim Journeys Book collection |
The ISB has partnered with the Dekalb County Public Library System, at the Clarkston branch location, to introduce the books and digital media on Islam to library patrons (click here for previous story).
The "Muslim Journeys Bookshelf" is a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office. For more information on the "Muslim Journeys Bookshelf," please click here.
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ISB Participates in Interfaith Health Summit
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ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa participated in an interfaith health summit on April 18 addressing challenges to disseminate health messages in interfaith communities.
The Fulton County Health and Wellness, Division of Health Promotion, Fulton County Interfaith Coalition Summit held "Barriers & Bridges: Integrating Faith, Science & Policy to Promote Health," to increase awareness on health among faith communities and to address the obesity epidemic in Fulton County.
The summit was attended by more than 130 participants from the interfaith community.
Khalifa was joined by President of Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta Reverend Cornelius Brown, President of Hindu Temple of Atlanta Narendar Reddy, Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church Reverend Dennis Meredith, Member of the Chinese Buddhist Community Simon Chu, and Minister of Youth and Education Reverend Robby Jackson.
The summit was held at College Park Regional Health Center. |
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ISB Stresses Importance of
Interfaith Work to Kids4Peace
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 Kids4Peace celebrated its 10-year anniversary on April 21st, and an ISB speaker was there to congratulate organizers and youth participants and their families on this milestone.
Kids4Peace is an educational outreach program that originated in the Episcopal church and has matured into a multi-faith effort that engages Israeli and Palestinian children in a 6-year program of learning and dialogue at after-school activities, weekend events, and summer camps (locally and aboard). The program seeks to forge lasting friendships across lines of conflict. The anniversary event was held at the historic Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead with dozens of families and organizers who had just completed a "Peace Walk."
Ehab Jaleel who has spoken at Kids4Peace participant orientation gatherings in the past joined Bill Nigut, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Yakir Eiglander, a Kids4Peace organizer to speak during the event.
Reflecting on the event, Jaleel said, "it is impressive to see how this kernel of an idea has matured into a movement over the years. The focus is correctly on the kids (12 and older), who in their innocence are in the best position to do what adults have not been able to."
Addressing the youth, all three speakers stressed the importance of seeking to understand others on a human level in the quest for peace between peoples. The ISB thanks Jennifer Combs, Kids4Peace - Atlanta Board Member, for giving us this opportunity.
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ISB Receives Out of State Presentation Request
|  The ISB received a request from a student organization in Florida for an ISB presentation.
Allan Howard traveled to Jacksonville, FL to present "Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith" at Florida Coastal Law School on April 9. Howard was invited by the Muslim Law Students Association(MLSA). The presentation was attended by 108 students and a few faculty members.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the courage and dedication to do what you do," said MLSA President Salwa Adly. "I have never received positive feedback about my faith or culture until the day you came here!" she added.
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| ISB Executive Director Receives FBI Leadership Award in National Ceremony | |
ISB Executive Director Soumaya Khalifa was recognized in a special ceremony at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Headquarters on April 15.
Khalifa received the FBI-Atlanta "Director's Community Leadership Award" for her community leadership on December 13, 2012 (click here to view article). FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III presented the awards in Washington, D.C. to 58 community leaders from across the U.S. for their extraordinary contributions to their communities.
"Although I was presented with this prestigious award, I believe it is really for the entire organization and in recognition of everyone's handwork," said Khalifa to the ISB team.
Khalifa attended the FBI Citizens' Academy, a community outreach program that brings civic, business, and religious leaders together and offers them an up close look at how the FBI operates and investigates crimes and threats to national security, in February 2012 (click here for story).
For more information on the award, please click here. For a video of the ceremony, please here.
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Upcoming Events
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What: The film "Koran by Heart" will be screened and a presention by Imam Plemon Al Amin will follow.
When: May 6th,
Where: Northlake Library
What: Soumaya Khalifa to address Gabr Fellows. The Gabr Fellowship is an innovative international educational exchange created to foster greater understanding and cooperation among emerging leaders in Egypt and the United States.
When: May 7
Where: Morehouse College
What: Presentation on "Asian American Muslims" by ISB speakers Amjad Tawfique and Slma Shelbaya
When: May 13th,
Where: Toco Hill Library
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Save The Date
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2013 ISB Annual Building Bridges Awards Dinner
Internationally acclaimed
author and media critic
Dr. Jack Shaheen
Keynote Speaker
November 9
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"Meet Your Muslim Neighbor"
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"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).
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Presentations
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ISB speakers conducted two series of presentations at the Georgia Perimeter College. Emad Hamid presented "Overview of American Muslims and Their Faith" on April 8, and Zaynab Ansari presented "Women in Islam" on April 11. The presentation series were part of the "Islam Awareness Week" organized by the Muslim Student Association(MSA). MSA organizer Nusaiba Mubarak is also a certified ISB speaker.
Dr. Bilal King delivered a custom made presentation titled, "History of Islam in Atlanta and Georgia," at Kennesaw State University (KSU) Sturgis Library on April 11. He was invited by Dr. Julia Brock, curator at KSU's Museum of History and Holocaust Education. The presentation was attended by a group of 20 people comprising of students, staff and faculty members.
Salma Stoman and Ruwa Romman led a "Meaningful Conversations" workshop during a Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST) competition held at Georgia State University (GSU) on Aril 13. Meaningful Conversations is an ISB-Atlanta created workshop designed to provide individuals the tools to engage in interfaith dialogue with others. The workshop was attended by more than 50 MIST competitors along with their coaches and parents.
Huma Faruqi and Zaynab Ansari presented "Overview of American Muslims and Their Faith" to four back-to-back world religions classes at Marist School on April 19. A total of 80 11th grade students heard the presentations. The speakers were invited by Dr. Doug Seanor who has hosted ISB speakers many times in the past.
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