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.

Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) Events

3/31: Spirituality in a Time of Crisis: Reflecting on Gratitude and Faith in a Time of Crisis

From left to right, top to bottom, Sheila Mohan (Hindu), Dianne Muller (Christian), Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist), Content Manager Ameena Jandali (Muslim), Rabbi Melanie Aron (Jewish), and Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan (Facilitator) speak on Facebook live. 

Panelists presented via Facebook Live for the third and final installment of ING’s ‘Spirituality in a Time of Crisis’ series. In honor of Women’s History Month, female spiritual leaders from the Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian faiths speak on how their faith helps them reflect on their blessings. This final installment focused on reflection, gratitude, and how faith helps its followers appreciate what we have during this time of crisis.

3/26: Spirituality in a Time of Crisis: Building and Inspiring Fellowship and Community in a Time of Crisis

From left to right, top to bottom, Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist), Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan (Facilitator), Reverend George Anne McDonnell (Christian), Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi (Muslim), Rabbi Amy Eilberg (Jewish),and Lakshmi Subramanian (Hindu) speak on Facebook live. 

Panelists presented via Facebook Live for the second installment of ING’s ‘Spirituality in a Time of Crisis’ series. In honor of Women’s History Month, female spiritual leaders from the Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian faiths speak on how their faith provides ways to build solidarity and community in a time of crisis.

3/24: Spirituality in a Time of Crisis: Coping with Crisis

From left to right, top to bottom, Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan (Facilitator), Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist), Sister Marianne Farina (Christian), Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi (Muslim),  Lakshmi Subramanian (Hindu), and Bat Sheva Miller (Jewish) speak on Facebook live. 

Panelists presented via Facebook Live for the second installment of ING’s ‘Spirituality in a Time of Crisis’ series. Commemorating Women’s History Month, female spiritual leaders from the Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian faiths speak on the nature of our reactions to stress, and how religious traditions help their followers make sense of the world during a crisis.

To book an Interfaith Speakers Bureau panel, visit this page.

Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) Events

3/27: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Sunnyvale

ING Speaker Ismael Nass-Duce speaks to students in Sunnyvale via webinar.

ING speaker Ismael Nass-Duce presented an introduction to Muslims and Islam and then answered student questions on his experiences as a Muslim in the United States.

3/16: Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes in San Francisco

Program Manager Rahimeh and Content Manager Ameena speaks to students in San Francisco via webinar.

Program Manager Rahimeh Ramezany and Content Manager Ameena provided an overview of the status of Muslim women today in areas such as education, work, government, and movements for reform and highlighted the contributions of notable Muslim women both historically and today in politics, academia, sports, and other fields. They then presented Qur’anic and prophetic teachings about the role and responsibilities of Muslim women and examined the questions of hijab and gender relations, addressing some of the major misconceptions about Muslim women, concluding with an overview of Muslim organizations working for women’s rights.

3/10: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in San Jose

Program Manager Rahimeh speaks to students in San Jose.

Supplementing school curriculum, Program Manager Rahimeh Ramezany provided an overview of Muslim traditions and practices which was followed by answering various questions students had about life as a Muslim.

3/9: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Oakland

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaks with students in Oakland.

Supplementing a school field trip for a Catholic high school, Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan provided a tour of a mosque in Oakland and presented an overview of Muslim beliefs and practices. Ishaq answered questions on the role of the mosque for Muslims.

3/9: A History of Muslim Americans in Oakland

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaks with students in Oakland.

ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan presented at a school in Oakland on the long history of Muslims in the United States, including references to Muslims by the Founding Fathers, possible pre-Columbian contacts between African Muslims and the New World, and the substantial, documented presence of Muslims among enslaved Africans. He then described the successive waves of immigration that brought Muslims to our country from the 19th century on and the rediscovery of Islam among African Americans in the 20th century. He concluded by highlighting notable American Muslims in various walks of life, including politicians, journalists, sports celebrities, musicians, physicians, and educators.

3/5: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Utah

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaks to students in Utah.

ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan presented to a school in Utah via zoom. In addition to teaching about Muslims and their Faiths in the context of social studies, Ishaq answered questions on contemporary events relating to Islam and addressed his own personal experiences as a Muslim American.

3/1: Islamophobia and its Impact in San Jose

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaks at Stone Church of Willow Glen in San Jose.

Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan began by defining and examining both historic and contemporary sources which contribute to Islamophobia. He then looked at ways that Islamophobia is disseminated, including through the media, Hollywood, politicians, the internet and social media among others and how it manifests in discrimination of Muslim Americans and U.S. domestic and foreign policies. He concluded with strategies for countering Islamophobia through education and interfaith engagement.

To book an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation, visit this page.