ING’s Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) panels are a hit with the classes of San Jose State University lecturer Linda Levine, who has invited us for several years. On February 26, two classes of her general education students enjoyed panels on “Living the Faith,” dealing with how practitioners of five major world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism) live out their faith in the busy and demanding world of the San Francisco Bay area.

panel ING Speakers Berget Jelane (Buddhism), Joy Aspenall and Dianne Muller (Christianity), Sheila Mohan and Sulochina Lulla (Hinduism), Nauman Azhar (Islam), and Esther Heller (Judaism, also serving as facilitator) explained both the challenges of negotiating the demands of their faith in their busy lives and the rewards that come with their practice. Their presentations touched off a lively discussion with the students. Professor Levine summed up the mood in her words of gratitude: “Thank you for helping to make the world a more loving and understanding and joy-filled place. We are so glad that you came to speak!” Panel photos courtesy of Joy Franco.

Read more about our Interfaith Speakers Bureau .

Hope Hospice
Spiritual Diversity Panel

On Thursday, March 20, ING Speaker Nora Talebi took part in an interfaith panel dealing with issues of care of the terminally ill and their families in different religious traditions. The panel was delivered to volunteers at the Hope Hospice in Dublin. She discussed some of the specific religious and cultural practices relating to care for the terminally ill, as well as practices around the time of and after death. Nora is a pharmacist by profession. Read more about our Interfaith Speakers Bureau .

ING’s Minnesota Affiliate Inaugurates Historical Exhibit

The Islamic Resource Group (IRG) kicked-off the Tracks in the Snow exhibit by holding a preview event on March 15 at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and then formally inaugurating it on the Muslim Day at the Capitol on March 19.

Tracks in the Snow is the third phase of the Minnesota Muslim Experience project produced by Islamic Resource Group (IRG) through generous support from the Minnesota Historical Society Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF). The traveling exhibit is designed to expose Minnesotans to the untold narratives of Minnesota Muslims, a deep-rooted and growing part of the state’s community. This exhibit provides a glimpse into the lives of one of the least known and rapidly expanding populations in America and in Minnesota – the Muslim community.

One of the most common phrases to appear in the titles of talks, conferences, books, and articles about the condition of Muslims in the United States is some variation of “American Muslim Identity”. This idea is presented as urgent, universal, and consequential. But do we really have any good idea of what we mean when we say “identity,” “American,” or even “Muslim” for that matter?

On March 19, IRG formally inaugurated the exhibit at the Minnesota Capitol and James Fogerty of Minnesota Historical Society introduced the exhibit to the 200+ audience that was gathered at the Muslim Day at the Capitol (MDAC).

IRG plans to take this traveling exhibit around Minnesota. Toward this end, IRG is soliciting interest from organizations to host this exhibit. All inquiries regarding hosting this exhibit should be directed to [email protected].