From Villains to Heroes: How Muslims Will
Become the Protagonists of American Narratives

(From left to right: Dean Obeidallah – Oct. 11, Wajahat Ali – Oct. 25, and Haroon Moghul – Feb. 6, 2016)

We’re incredibly excited to bring to the Bay Area some of the nation’s premier thought leaders and changemakers who are working to counter extremist narratives about Islam and Muslims. Each event will address a different strategy and is located in a different region to make it convenient for all of you to attend. Professional babysitting provided at no extra cost. There will be no fundraising at these events, but you will hear from me and other staff on the organization’s progress in our programs and endowment. We hope you will join us for these intellectually stimulating and entertaining evenings as well as invite your family and friends to attend.

Maha Elgenaidi
CEO and ChairmanSunday Oct 11, San Mateo Marriott – with Dean Obeidallah
“American Muslim State of the Union”
A humorous yet serious look at the status of American Muslims today
Dean Obeidallah’s joined ING staff and supporters on October 11th for his “American Muslim State of the Union.” It was a great evening as Dean brought laughs and shrewd commentary together for the audience. He noted, “Why am I optimistic about the state of American Muslims? Honestly it’s because of organizations like ING who are doing work to counter hate and ignorance.”

Sunday Oct 25, Santa Clara Marriott – with Wajahat Ali
“Between Antagonist and Token: Rewriting the Muslim American Hero”
Muslim-American cultural production as civic participation
Wajahat Ali is the award-winning playwright of “The Domestic Crusaders,” one of the first major plays about the American Muslim experience published by Mcsweeney’s. He is the lead author of the investigative report “Fear Inc.: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America” produced by Center for American Progress. He is currently working on a TV pilot with author Dave Eggers about an American Muslim cop. He is writing his first movie screenplay with filmmaker Joshua Seftel (“War Inc.”).

Saturday Feb 6, San Ramon Marriott – with Haroon Moghul
“Can American Muslims Stay Muslim?”
Asking difficult questions to bring about meaningful change
Haroon Moghul is an internationally recognized expert on Islam, foreign policy and the Muslim world. He’s appeared on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and Al-Jazeera. His writings have been published in Quartz, Boston Review, Foreign Policy, Salon, Guardian and CNN. He’s the author of a novel, The Order of Light, which was also translated into French, and an upcoming memoir, How to be Muslim. Currently a Senior Correspondent at Religion Dispatches, Haroon has been a Fellow at the Center on National Security at Fordham Law, and with the New America Foundation, in the National Security Studies Program. Haroon is the co-founder of Avenue M, which makes short films about identity in America. He’s married, allergic to nearly everything and lives in Brooklyn. Register here.

Tickets for each event are $55. VIP Tables of 10 and sponsorships are $5,000, part of which will go towards the ING endowment. For all sponsorships, contact ING Development Manager Kate Bridges-Lyman at [email protected]