Staff Insights
Virtuous Activism: Friday Reflection for ISNA
By Maha Elgenaidi, founder and Chief Innovation Officer January 22, 2021 This speech was delivered online to audiences at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on Friday, January 22nd, 2021. View the recording on YouTube. Bism Allah ar-Rahman ar-raheem. In the name… Read More
Does the Muslim American Community Have a Problem with Intra-Muslim Racism?
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. It’s hard for a community that feels under siege from Islamophobia to admit that it has a problem with racism and bigotry within its ranks; it’s hard, but necessary. Our Muslim American community must be united to respond effectively to bigotry directed against… Read More
Muslim-American Maha Elgenaidi On Advocacy And Experience
Muslim, a new online magazine and an off-shoot of the popular MuslimGirl featured ten prominent Muslim figures who have made an impact within the Muslim American community for their publication launch in the month of Ramadan. One of them is ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi featured below. Read More
Statement from the Executive Director on COVID-19
What an interesting time we live in! It is astonishing to me how something as miniscule as the COVID-19 virus, which is visible only through an electron microscope, can turn our world upside down as it has. As a Muslim, I am reminded of the Quranic verses… Read More
Decolonizing Interreligious Education: The Example of Islamic Networks Group (ING)
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. This speech was delivered at the American Academy of Religion conference in San Diego on Monday, November 25th, 2019. I. Context Good morning. The title of my presentation this morning is decolonizing Interreligious education by using the example of programs by… Read More
Celebrating Margaret Jones, Founder of URI Peninsula Circle, 2001-2013
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. This memorial speech was delivered at the New Vision United Methodist Church in Millbrae on Sunday, May 19th, 2019 as part of a funeral service for Margaret Jones, founder of URI Peninsula Circle from 2001-2013. I’m deeply honored to be here to… Read More
The Case Against Patriarchy in Islam: Fitra, viceregency, and universal principles
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. This article is published in the winter 2019 issue of Tikkun Magazine. I define patriarchy as a socio-cultural system in which men are ideologically viewed as inherently dominant over women, regardless of abilities, and therefore belong in positions of power and authority over… Read More
Interfaith Thanksgiving Speech on Gratitude in Action
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. This speech was delivered at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in San Jose on Sunday, November 18th, 2018 as part of the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Quranic verse on Gratitude Wa Laqad ‘Ātaynā Luqmāna Al-Ĥikmata ‘Ani Ashkur Lillāh… Read More
Muslim Americans Today: Working Together to Combat Hate
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. This homily was delivered at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco on Sunday, September 23rd, 2018. Salam alaykum, peace be upon you. Thank you for the invitation to speak during your day of interfaith. I am honored to be with you… Read More
Seventeen Years After 9/11, I’m Still Fighting for American Ideals of Pluralism and Inclusion
By Maha Elgenaidi, Executive Director. This opinion appeared at the ING blog. The terror attacks of September 11th, 2001 were a watershed event in American history. After more than a decade free of the machinations of the Cold War, the United States appeared to be advancing in… Read More
