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White House Iftar Dinner Attended by Maha Elgenaidi, ING President
“I had the honor and distinction of sitting at President Obama’s table at the White House iftar dinner on Wed, August 10… Over dinner, I emphasized the work we do at ING promoting understanding of Islam and Muslims, interfaith engagement and bullying prevention… I told him how inspired and grateful I felt after attending the White House conference on bullying which led me to disseminate the federally promoted Stop Bullying Now program to several hundred youth at the MYNA and ISNA conventions. I thanked him for his recognition of American Muslim contributions to the U.S. and his administration’s inclusion of Muslim staffers and interns… I also expressed my concern about the political environment and what I call the “Perfect Storm:” the confluence of upcoming events…that have increasingly demonized American Muslims. I asked his advice about overcoming the prejudice against Muslims… He responded with optimism and, reflecting our philosophy at ING, encouraged us to continue doing the good work we do in education and interfaith engagement because he believed in the fundamental decency of the American people and was confident that what ING does in engaging and talking with people can and will overcome prejudice…”
Support ING in these last few days of Ramadan
Never has it been more vital to support the work of ING. The nation faces an unprecedented campaign of hate by a small but vocal minority against American Muslims and their faith, which ING challenges through its work. Donate securely. Double your donations through your company’s matching gifts program. ING is an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau. Recent Updates on ING can be found here.
9/11 Commemorations in which ING is Hosting or Speaking
Wednesday, September 7, 6:30-9:00 PM
ING 9/11 Commemoration: Transformation through Engagement
In partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose, the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley, the Silicon Valley Inter-religious Council, and the Council on American Islamic Relations – San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, Islamic Networks Group (ING) is hosting an interfaith gathering commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The event will both memorialize the victims and honor those who sacrificed their lives trying to save others on that tragic day. The evening’s program will begin with the Tribeca Film Festival 2011 documentary Love Hate Love, Executive Produced by Sean Penn which chronicles three families torn apart by terrorism. The film will be followed by a procession and remarks by religious leaders and government officials honoring public safety personnel and discussing how community engagement and service to others are a positive transformative force in the face of tragedy and trying times. Throughout the event participating organizations will be available with information and resources as well as to recruit volunteers. Location: McAfee Center for Perfoming Arts, Saratoga High School, 20300 Herriman Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070.
Sunday, September 11, 1:30 PM
ING President Maha Elgenaidi to Deliver Convocation at the San Francisco 10th Anniversary Observance of 9/11
The San Francisco Interfaith Council is joining forces with Mayor Ed Lee’s office and the San Francisco Opera to convene the 10th anniversary observance of the 2001 terrorist attacks. This observance will be held in conjunction with the San Francisco Opera’s annual Opera in the Park in Sharon Meadows at Golden Gate Park. In place of the traditional assemblage of operatic arias and ensembles, the program will feature Mozart’s Requiem, as well as works by Christopher Theofanidis, Harold Arlen, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and John Williams. Music Director Nicola Luisotti will conduct. The program will begin with a procession of religious and civic officials, greetings from the Mayor of San Francisco and SF Interfaith Council Executive Director Michael Pappas, followed by an invocation by ING President, Maha Elgenaidi. Admission to the observance is free. Location: Sharon Meadows at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Sunday, September 11, 5:00 PM
9/11 Commemoration – Pledging to Build a Path towards Peace
The Trinity Church in Menlo Park is hold an 9/11 service that will include a new prayer book that draws from the three traditions of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar with readings and prayers for peace. Speakers from each faith will share their rituals to honor the dead and those who have lost their lives, providing a means of reconciling ourselves with one another and to the holy one. ING speaker Shahzad Chaudry will be representing Muslims in the service. Location: Trinity Church in Menlo Park, 330 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94301.
Sunday, September 11, 7:00 PM
9/11 Commemoration – Joint Muslim and Christian Prayers for Peace
The Campbell United Methodist Church will be hosting a dinner and joint Christian and Muslim prayers for peace on September 11th. The event will provide an important opportunity for the development of better understanding and mutual respect between the two communities. To reserve a space at the event, please contact Ginny Johnson at [email protected]. Location: United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008.
ING Affiliate News
Azra Hussain, Director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
At the request of the US Attorney’s office in Phoenix, Azra Hussain, Director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona, conducted a training titled, “Developing Cultural Competency: Working with American Muslim Communities” to representatives of law enforcement agencies from across the state of Arizona. Arizona Police Officers Standards and Training (POST) and the Western Regional Director of the Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice also attended the training. The training was overwhelmingly successful based on feedback from the US Attorney and other participants.
Atlanta, Georgia
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISB) is proud to announce its upcoming “2011 Building Bridges Awards Dinner” on October 29, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate its 10th year anniversary. S
ince its inception in August 2011, the ISB has been at the forefront in educating and building bridges of understanding between American Muslims and Americans of other faiths. The 2011 gala will feature a networking reception followed by a banquet, an awards ceremony, and a keynote address from Dr. Azizah al-Hibiri, Founder and Chair of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights who was recently appointed by President Barak Obama to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). To learn more about the ISB, please visit their website. For ticket information, please click here. For questions, please email [email protected]
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Islamic Resource Group (IRG) received a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to capture and convey the Muslim experience in Minnesota through oral interviews and photographic portraits. The project documented 40 Minnesota Muslims chosen carefully to represent a diverse collection of experiences. Read more at the Muslim Experience in Minnesota.