March 28, 2021

Looking for Interfaith Events to Host During Ramadan?

With Ramadan just around the corner, take this opportunity for interfaith outreach and engagement. With Muslims still struggling with Islamophobia, it is critical that we continue to share our faith traditions with other religious practitioners, both for greater understanding, but also to uplift the role of religion in an increasingly secular world. It is through sharing our traditions that we can both learn how much we have in common, while gaining a deeper understanding of what divides us.

Join us and invite your neighbors to our virtual Interfaith Iftar, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 7:00 pm

Ramadan as a Celebration of Compassion and Unity

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan reminds all of us who are living through these increasingly polarized and economically challenging times about the universal value of showing compassion to all creation, and particularly to those who are most vulnerable in our communities. In honor of this heightened spiritual season, ING and Pacifica Institute invite people of all and no faiths to join us as we listen to local Muslim and interfaith speakers discuss the many lessons of Ramadan, including the importance of being charitable and especially generous with those in need, and how these injunctions are particularly relevant during this challenging time. Register here to join us on Wednesday, April 21st from 7:00 – 8:00pm PDT.

Host a Virtual Interfaith Panel
And Invite Your Neighbors and Friends

The Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) provides interfaith panels featuring representatives from the five major world religions (Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism) introducing their faiths and discussing a variety of topics while modeling interfaith understanding and acceptance of diversity. Topics include:

• Living the Faith
• Shared Values
• Religion and Pluralism
• Religion and Extremism
• The Abrahamic Faiths
• Women and Religion
• Peacemaking in Religion
• Religion and The Environment
• Religious Holidays
• Separation of Church and State

To learn more and request an interfaith panel, visit our site.

Host an Inspiring and Timely Virtual Anti-Racism Panel

The Intercultural Speakers Bureau (ICSB) addresses and counters racism faced by racial, ethnic, and religious groups by bringing together a panel of speakers from marginalized communities (Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, Indigenous Peoples, African Americans, Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans) who experience bigotry in the United States. The speakers address how racist narratives were formed historically and then embedded in culture institutionally and through implicit biases; its impact on their communities and what we can do together to counter racism.

To learn more and request an intercultural panel, visit our site.

Host a Virtual Presentation on Muslim Women: Beyond The Stereotype

The presentation features the newly elected president of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan along with the more than a dozen Muslim women who have served as heads of state.

The role of Muslim women and Islam’s view of women is one of the most widely misunderstood and misrepresented aspects of the religion and its practitioners. This presentation describes the diversity of Muslim women worldwide today, and highlights examples of notable Muslim women. It describes normative Qur’anic and prophetic teachings about the role and responsibilities of Muslim women, and explains issues such as the head scarf and gender relations. Learn more about the presentation or request a presentation at our site.

Invite Muslim Parents, Educators, and
Workplace Colleagues to these Upcoming Ramadan Webinars

Tuesday, March 30th: Muslim Teens Speak: Balancing School, Ramadan, and COVID-19 

Students have faced untold challenges switching to fully remote learning in the last year. As we approach Ramadan, which begins this year on Tuesday, April 13, while many schools are still social distancing and others are beginning to open, Muslim students may experience additional strain on their attention and mental health. To address these needs, ING invites parents and educators of Muslim students to join a special webinar where we will hear from Muslim teens directly on what they have been experiencing, and how they can be best supported while balancing school, social distancing, and fasting. Register here to join us on Tuesday, March 30th from 4:00 – 5:00pm PST.

Panelists:

• Humza, INGYouth Speaker
• Raza, INGYouth Speaker
• Soha, INGYouth Speaker
• Omar, INGYouth Speaker

Moderator:

• Ishaq Pathan, ING Bay Area Director

Wednesday, March 31st: Supporting Muslim Essential Workers During Ramadan

Essential workers have been on the frontlines of providing critical services to communities across the country, including Muslim doctors, police officers, teachers, and frontline workers. It is through their courage and dedication that the rest of society has been able to quarantine safely. As we approach the second Ramadan while social distancing, ING invites you to join us in conversation with Muslim essential workers from various sectors to discuss their experiences, and how the public can support them through the most important spiritual time for Muslims. Register here to join us on Wednesday, March 31st from 12:00 – 1:00pm PST.

Panelists:

• Dr. Hasan Shanawani, Board Chairman, American Muslim Health Professionals
• Yousef Shansab, Commander, Union City Police Department
• Hazem Tabahi, Vice-President, Pita Inn Chain in Chicago Area

Moderator:

• Rahimeh Ramezany, ING Program Manager

Thursday, April 1st: Ramadan Inclusion: How Educators Can Accommodate Their Muslim Students During the Spiritual Season

Educators have their work cut out for them balancing the needs of all their diverse students, and this is the case more than ever as we enter the one-year anniversary of social distancing safety measures. For educators who have Muslim students in their classrooms, they may understand the importance of Ramadan, but may not feel equipped to properly support students participating in fasting and other special rituals of the month.

Join ING for a conversation, as our speakers discuss the challenges Muslim students may face while fasting, and best practices for parents and educators during the month of Ramadan. Register here to join us on Thursday, April 1st from 4:00 – 5:00pm PST. Panelists:

• Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Brisa Camacho-Lovell, ING Bay Area Board Member & Educator
• Ishaq Pathan, ING Bay Area Director

Moderator:

• Tabassum Haleem, ING CEO