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In fulfillment of ING’s mission of promoting peace among all by fostering a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Muslims and other faith-based, racial/ethnic, and cultural communities, through teaching, learning, and engaging across differences, here are highlights of prominent events during this month.
Intercultural Speakers Bureau (ICSB) Events
1/31: Creating Inclusive and Equitable Communities – A Call to Action in East Palo Alto
ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan, Content Manager Ameena Jandali, and Program Manager Rahimeh Ramezany delivering a workshop in San Mateo.
ING staff presented to various leaders during the San Mateo County Office of Education Friday CAFE, a monthly networking event for professionals supporting and engaging diverse families in the county. Over the course of the morning, participants learned about the roots of xenophobia, bigotry, and systemic racism in the United States, and discussed how they impact the families they work with while brainstorming strategies that we all can take to address these pressing issues.
1/13: Creating Inclusive and Equitable Communities – A Call to Action in San Francisco
From left to right, Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan, Content Manager Ameena Jandali, and Jessica Sterling speaking on a panel hosted by the Congregation Sha’ar Zahav.
This panel addressed the history and impact of bigotry against Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Black, Latinx, Asian, and Native American populations under colonialism and slavery, old and neo-orientalism, xenophobia, and internalized bigotry, concluding with calls to action on how to build an inclusive society.
To book an Intercultural Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page.
Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) Events
1/28: Shared Values Among Faiths in San Jose
From left to right, Madhu Kopalle, Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi, Harry Cornbleet, Berget Jelane, Diane Frankle, and Program Manager Rahimeh Ramezany speaking on a panel hosted by Del Mar High School in San Jose.
Before an assembly of high school students, panelists opened the panel by providing overviews of their faiths traditions and shared values and then proceeded to answer questions from the audience.
To book an Interfaith Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page.
Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) Events
1/26: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Lafayette
Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking to teens at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church.
Ishaq delivered a presentation on beliefs and practices of Muslims, Islamophobia as it impacts Muslim Americans, and how to develop allyship between Muslims and Christians by learning more about each other and challenging stereotypes that are disseminated by the media, Hollywood, and in popular culture.
1/22: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Santa Clara
Speaker Bahira Metwally speaking at Santa Clara University.
Bahira provided an overview on Muslim traditions and practices and proceeded to answer questions from the audience and discuss her experiences as a Muslim during her studies at Santa Clara University.
1/21 and 1/22: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in San Jose
Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking to high school students in San Jose.
Ishaq and Maha delivered presentations on Muslim traditions and practices to supplement school curriculum on religions. Throughout the presentation, students asked questions and took notes on important beliefs, texts, and figures in Islam.
1/18: Womxn’s March San Jose
Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi speaking at the Womxn’s March in San Jose.
Maha spoke alongside Diane Fisher from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley, Pushpinder Kaur from the Sikh community and Larin Smith from the University AME Church at the fourth annual Womxn’s March, which drew 8,000 participants. This interreligious group of women delivered a message of solidarity for peace building in our community in the face of increasing bigotry that has especially impacted Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, and Black communities.
1/17: Countering Islamophobia: A Cultural Diversity Seminar for Educators in San Diego
Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking at the San Diego Convention Center for the San Diego County Office of Education.
Ishaq shared ING’s best practices for addressing the Islamophobia that students face at school in his breakout session at the Equity Conference 2020, hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education. Throughout his session, district officials, administrators, and teachers from all across California were given practical remedies and resources they could use to further develop inclusive classrooms, schools, and districts.
1/9: Two Americas: The Aspirational and The Real Panel in Jackson, Mississippi
Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi on the International Museum of Muslim Cultures panel at Fondren Hall for the Metro Jackson Muslim Community.
Maha joined a scholarly panel discussion titled “America’s History of Slavery and Remedies for Equity and Healing” at the International Museum of Muslim Cultures in Jackson, MS. Maha spoke about the roots of Islamophobia in anti-Blackness.
1/5: Standing with University AME Church in Palo Alto
Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi amongst other interfaith leaders at the University AME Church in Palo Alto.
After this predominantly Black church was attacked with racist graffiti, over 500 people, including ING staff, attended a gathering to express their solidarity with church leadership and congregants. ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi was among the speakers representing bay area Muslim communities.
To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.
