ING’s founding member and Content Director Ameena Jandali joined an esteemed interfaith dialogue panel around environmental issues that included Cardinal Peter Turkson, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and a key voice behind Pope Francis’ recent encyclical “Laudato Si“.

Ameena noted that “Nature is very much part of our daily routine as Muslims. It is part of the rhythm of our life.” Scholars and activists from the Muslim community recently released a declaration around issues of climate change and environmentalism. Islam has a long history of environmentalism and it is important to bring that Islamic voice to the table.

Playwright and TV Host Wajahat Ali on
Reclaiming the American Muslim Narrative

Noted playwright and al-Jazeera America host Wajahat Ali joined ING staff and friends for a recent Endowment Supporters Dinner in Santa Clara. Wajahat spoke about the important role of ING in educating and engaging Muslim and non-Muslim youth, their parents, their educators and their communities. “I wish there had been an ING when I was growing up!” he said. Programs like INGYouth and our educational curricula and presentations give people the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to engage more confidently with their Muslim identity.

ING Partners with White House Initiative on
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Program

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) has announced a new public awareness campaign to tackle bullying, particularly in the AAPI community. ING is a partner in the endeavor, and we’ve made our anti-bullying resources, particularly our Bullying Prevention Guide, available to its organizers. Bullying of Asian American and Pacific Islander students is statistically higher than national averages:

• A 2015 survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations found that 52% of Muslim students in California public schools reported experiencing verbal or social bullying because of their religion.
• That same report noted that of the students who were bullied, 20% of them experienced such discrimination by their teachers and administrators.
• A 2014 report by the Sikh Coalition found that 67% of turbaned Sikh youth in Fresno, CA, experienced bullying or harassment.

Bullying is a major civil rights issue and ING remains committed to helping students, parents, and educators enact programs and reforms to stop and prevent abuse. Our INGYouth Program training and resources, including our popular Bullying Prevention Guide, equip people to tackle bullying head-on and build safer, more inclusive, and more respectful communities.

ING Reaccredited by Better Business Bureau

We’re pleased to report to our clients and donors that ING was once again reaccredited for the fifth time (since 2008) by the Better Business Bureau for the years 2016-2017, meeting 20 out of 20 standards. For more information on the standards, visit How the BBB Accredits Charities. We appreciate the guidance of Muslim Advocates, and particularly Farhana Khera’s leadership, who first led us through this program to provide confidence to our donors and clients.

Please Welcome Seán, Kate, and Daniel to ING!

Thanks to our generous supporters and reflecting our continued growth and expansion in both programs and development, we are excited to announce the addition of three new staff people to the ING family. Please join us in welcoming Seán Rose (Deputy Director-Programs), Kate Bridges-Lyman (Development Manager), and Daniel Hayes (Accounting & Finance Manager). Each brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the organization and moves us closer to our big goals in 2016.

Daniel replaces our previous finance manager Ali Rangwala who until last month served ING since 2008. Ali joined a small Silicon Valley company as its Chief Operations Officer. We’re grateful to him for his time and energy and his many contributions to ING, including our filings for BBB accreditation. Ali has also joined our Board of Advisors.

Affiliate News: Cincinnati

Shakila Ahmad, president of the Board at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and ING Trustee, joined Rabbi Gary Zola, President of the American Jewish Archives, and four prominent female rabbis leaders for stimulating conversation and an inspiring program. These women from across the United States were the first females to be ordained as rabbis in their respective Jewish traditions: Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, and Orthodox.

Affiliate News: Arizona

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA), an ING Affiliate based in Phoenix, recently hosted their Building Bridges Awards Dinner, where they gave awards to individuals or organizations in Arizona who have shown a sincere commitment towards building bridges of understanding between different communities through education. Khalid Latif, the Executive Director and Imam of the New York University Islamic Center, gave a keynote address that spoke to the meaning and importance of pluralism in America and the world. Musical entertainment was provided by Raef Haggag, an American Muslim singer/songwriter whose music speaks to common Muslim themes but is accessible by all faith communities around the world.

Affiliate News: Tennessee

Zulfat Suara, Director of the American Muslim Advisory Council (ING Affiliate) in Tennessee, was recently inducted into the Tennesee Women’s Hall of Fame, a program of the Tennessee Economic Council on Women. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate and honor women who are extraordinarily accomplished and have made remarkable, unique, and lasting contributions to the economic, political, and cultural well-being of Tennessee. One Council member noted that “Zulfat’s community service is selfless and humble, serving as a volunteer, because she believes in making Tennessee a better place for women, children and families.”

On November 7th and 8th, Zulfat and the American Muslim Advisory Council will hold their annual Empowering Women: From Awareness to Action conference in Nashville.

Affiliate News: Dallas

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Dallas-Fort Worth (ISB-DFW) continues its growth, adding ten new certified speakers in 2015. In just the last two months, ISB-DFW has given 30 presentations in schools and faith-based organizations, including at MacArthur High School in Irving, where Ahmed Mohamed was taken into custody for bringing a clock to class.