Back to School at ING & Ramadan Kit

Mark Your Calendar: ING Presentations at 45th Annual ISNA Convention in Columbus, Ohio, 8/29– 9/01

Friday, August 29, 2008
8:30 – 10:00 p.m. – Plenary Session 3A: Hall C
Sharing the Spirit of Ramadan with Others: Outreach to the Greater Community
Speakers: Sayyid M. Syeed, Maha Elgenaidi, Rich Killmer, Jonathan Reckford
Moderator: Rizwan Jaka

Saturday, August 30, 2008
2:45- 4:00 p.m. – Parallel Session 6D: Room C 213-215
Promoting Civic Engagement
Speakers: Dan Sutherland, Eboo Patel, Maha Elgenaidi.
Moderator: Suhail Khan

Sunday, August 31, 2008
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Parallel Session 10C: Room D 130-132
Answering Difficult Frequently Asked Questions About Islam and Muslims
Speakers: Salam Al Marayati, Jamal Badawi, Ameena Jandali
Moderator: Maha Elgenaidi

Latest News on ING Blog
News relating to education on cultural diversity, interfaith relations, and separation of church and state

More Americans want church and politics separate: poll

HOUSTON (Reuters) – A slim majority of Americans, including more conservatives and Republicans than previously, want to keep religion out of politics, a survey released on Thursday found. The results come as Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain actively vie for the support of religious voters among others ahead of the November 4 presidential election. The survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52 percent of Americans thought that churches and other religious institutions should stay out of politics, an increase of eight percentage points since 2004, when the last U.S. presidential election was held.

Back to School at ING

As schools open across the Bay Area, ING is readying itself and its speakers for the flurry of requests that greet the organization every September. As teachers increasingly are scheduling presentations in advance to ensure they will get a speaker, ING has already received requests well into the semester. To request an ING speaker at your child’s middle or high school, invite your child’s teacher to contact ING at [email protected].

ING offers four presentation titles for schools, grades 7th-12th:

• “Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith”
• “Islamic Contributions to Civilization”
• “Roots of Muslims in America”
• “Women in Islam”

ING’s Ramadan Arts and Crafts Kit for K-6 Teachers and Parents

As the start of the academic year coincides with the start of Ramadan this fall, this is a perfect occasion for K-6 students to learn about the importance of Ramadan and how Muslim families celebrate its conclusion with the Eid festival using ING’s Ramadan Arts and Crafts Kit for K-6. The Kit includes a variety of activities, including not only a diverse array of arts and crafts, but worksheets, recipes, and even music complete with notes. The Kit is designed either for parents to use in their children’s classrooms or for teachers in their student’s classroom.

Islamic Speakers Bureau Training Workshop, 08/16/08

To fulfill its ever increasing requests for presentations in various venues, ING conducted an Islamic Speakers Bureau training on Saturday, August 16, 2008 in the South Bay. After completing the training and being tested on the workshop material, trainees will accompany veteran speakers to presentations at a variety of venues, where they will eventually be certified, and scheduled for presentations relating to Muslim culture not only in schools, but also universities, health care and law enforcement agencies, corporations and other institutions, where they help to promote a better understanding of Muslims through education and inter-religious dialogue. The workshop was attended by diverse professionals, including a director of engineering, nurse, dental hygienist, a sales manager and a PR executive, all willing and eager to volunteer their time to provide education and engage in outreach. The training included a review of ING’s newly revamped presentation titled “Getting to Know American Muslims & their Faith.” It also included a review of ING’s updated frequently asked questions about Islam and Muslims, and tips for speaking. Congratulations to the new recruits. If you’re interested in becoming an ING speaker, please contact ING Programs Director, Grace Fong at [email protected].

Women in Islam Presentation at Dominican University, 8/08/08

ING speaker Ameena Jandali spoke to a class on World Religions at Dominican University on Friday, August 8th, where she described the role of women in Islam, and related principles and practices. After explaining some of the little known liberating aspects of the faith that were introduced 1400 years ago, such as the rights to vote, earn and keep one’s money, inherit, and divorce, she addressed some of the more complex issues which often feed stereotypes, including the confusion between cultural practices and religious teachings. Students had questions about issues they had encountered directly in interacting with Muslims as well as from their readings on the topic. The students were pleased to have the opportunity to learn more about this misunderstood subject and ask the questions they had long pondered. To request a presentation on women in Islam for your organization, contact ING at [email protected].

Luncheon Speaker at San Mateo Rotary Club, 8/07/08

On Thursday, August 8th, ING president, Maha Elgenaidi was the invited guest speaker at the San Mateo Rotary Club’s luncheon meeting. The event was attended by over 70 local professionals, including the police chief of San Mateo, city manager, and business people from diverse backgrounds. After delivering an overview on American Muslims post 9/11, she opened up to questions from the audience. The first question echoes a common question ING speakers often hear, “why do we not hear from Muslims condemning terrorism?” She responded that it may be due to the fact that most Americans are either not listening, or acknowledging speakers like herself all across the country who are taking time out of their day to address Islamic perspectives, including those on violence, and engage Americans of other faiths. This was followed by a series of questions that clarified Islamic perspectives on a number of other issues relating to women, Shia-Sunni differences and living the faith in America. Audience members expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about this misunderstood topic, and many extended invitations to other events.

ING Convenes First Interfaith Speakers Bureau Meeting, 8/06/08

On Wednesday, August 6th, ING convened the first meeting of its newly formed Interfaith Speakers Bureau at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose. The Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) is modeled after the Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB), but is composed of speakers from the five major world faiths. The IFSB was launched in the spring semester, and met with a great deal of enthusiasm by both speakers and those requesting the presentations in this groundbreaking new program. To learn about the program, please contact Grace Fong at [email protected].

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