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ING Presentations at Muslim Family Camp
and Berkeley Police Department
(from L-R, Imam Abdul-Azeez, Maha Elgenaidi, Bhawana Kamil)
ING’s Maha Elgenaidi spoke at the 31st Annual Muslim Family Camp, held every year at Yosemite National Park. The camp provides young Muslims and their families a safe space to engage about important issues facing the American Muslim community and to also kick back and have some fun around the campfire. Maha presented to a group of about 250 campers about the value of religious literacy and interfaith engagement and how they can get involved in ING’s work. Also speaking on other aspects of civic engagement were Imam Abdul-Azeez of Sacramento and Bhawana Kamil of the Muslim American Society-Bay Area.
ING Content Director Ameena Jandali delivered our diversity seminar “Developing Cultural Competency: Working with American Muslim Communities” for the University of California – Berkeley Police Department. She delivered the 2-hour training to two groups of UCPD officers. This was the second of two trainings following a previous training in August. The seminar included a discussion of common stereotypes about Muslims, an overview of Muslim demographics, pertinent contemporary issues and a discussion of common practices and their implications for law enforcement work.
Abdelkader Education Project Forum in Iowa
Known as Algeria’s George Washington, Emir Abdelkader was a warrior, scholar, and freedom fighter of the 19th century who was admired across the world. A lawyer in Iowa even named his new settlement (Elkader) in his honor in 1846. This year, the Abdelkader Education Project will honor high school and college students from across the U.S. for their winning essays on the importance of Abdelkader in today’s world. ING Content Director Ameena Jandali will present ING’s new curriculum about Abdelkader at the conference.
Stay tuned for our upcoming curriculum release about Emir Abdelkader and his legacy of interfaith leadership!
Hajj and Rosh Hashanah: A Time for
Introspection, Reflection, and Rejuvenation
This year two important religious holidays coincide, with the season for both beginning this week: the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, the month in the Islamic calendar when Hajj takes place begins tonight after sunset, and Rosh Hashanah began on Sunday, September 13th at sunset. Hajj is the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca which is obligatory on every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it and Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which according to Jewish tradition represents the day when Adam was created. The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah and Rosh Hashanah both represent a time for renewal, reflection, and change in a positive sense. They also present an opportunity for increased ritual worship. Continue reading…
