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

5/20: Responding Collectively to Ahmaud Arbery’s Murder

From left to right, top to bottom, Maha Elgenaidi (ING), Ishaq Pathan (ING), Dr. Hien Do (San Jose State University), Rabbi Melanie Aron (Shir Hadash Synagogue), Dr. Mansa Bilal King (Morehouse College), Rev. Ray Montgomery (PACT-SJ), Marcos Pizarro (San Jose State University), and Shannon Rivers (Akimel O’otham Tribe) speaking to audiences over Facebook Live.

Watch our most recent online Intercultural Speakers Bureau panel addressing Ahmaud’ Arbery’s case, and how we must respond both collectively and individually to counter all forms of bigotry, racism and violence against marginalized communities. To view the panel discussion and calls to action about this critical topic, visit this page.

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

Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) Events

5/21: Faith Communities during COVID-19

ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi speaking on the San Francisco Interfaith Council Briefing via webinar.

NG Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi spoke today on a San Francisco Interfaith Council Briefing on “Addressing COVID-19 Hate Speech Targeted at Asian People.” She spoke about the bigotry that Muslims Americans are also facing, its roots in constructed historical narratives that have been institutionalized in all aspects of society, and how to overcome the consequences through solidarity among all Americans in order to protect American values and ideals. View the recording here.

5/14: Interfaith Virtual Iftar: Celebrating Motherhood in Religious Tradition

A few participants from the virtual iftar on May 14th.

ING hosted an interfaith virtual iftar on the theme “Reviving and Maintaining Spirituality” with representatives from the three Abrahamic faiths discussing how they are reviving and maintaining their spirituality, both as individuals and congregations while practicing social distancing, and how this impacted their holiday observances this year. The inclusive and engaging event ended with a Muslim call to prayer (athan), iftar and closing prayers by speakers. To view the recording, visit this page.

5/7: Interfaith Virtual Iftar: Reviving and Maintaining Spirituality While Social Distancing

A few participants from the virtual iftar on May 7th.

ING hosted an interfaith virtual iftar on the theme “Reviving and Maintaining Spirituality” with representatives from the three Abrahamic faiths discussing the role of motherhood and examples of famous mothers in their religious tradition. The inclusive and engaging event ended with a Muslim call to prayer (athan), iftar and closing prayers by speakers. To view the recording, visit this page.

5/7: Conducting Zoom Calls with Confidence

ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan speaking on the San Francisco Interfaith Council Briefing.

ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan spoke on a San Francisco Interfaith Council Briefing on “Conducting Zoom Calls with Confidence”. He addressed how the Muslim community across the country has been targeted by on-line harassment and intrusions also known as “zoombombing” that are intended to disrupt, shock, and intimidate communities already experiencing the trauma of social distancing and COVID-19. View the recording here.

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

Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) Events

5/14: Supporting Muslim Patients during COVID-19

ING Content Manager Ameena Jandali speaks to chaplains at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center via webinar.

ING Content Manager Ameena Jandali conducted a webinar for chaplains and healthcare providers at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital about the impact of the pandemic, Islamophobia, and Ramadan on Muslim patients. After the presentation she responded to questions from attendees about how to best support their Muslim patients.

5/7: Ramadan, School, and COVID-19 Part 2

From left to right, top to bottom,  Ishaq Pathan (Bay Area Director, ING), Helena Miller-Fleig (Educator, St. Ignatius Prep), Ameena Jandali (Content Manager, ING), and Berta Guillen (Educator, MetWest High School) speaking to audiences over Facebook Live.

This second webinar in the two-part series about the impact of Ramadan on Muslim students during COVID-19 features ING staff and guest educators providing an overview of the impact of virtual education on students generally, before discussing the unique challenges for Muslim students fasting in Ramadan. It concludes with suggestions for reasonable accommodations for fasting students to promote inclusivity and productivity during this unprecedented time. To view the series, visit this page.

5/7: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in San Mateo

ING Speaker Nora Talebi speaks to students in San Mateo via webinar.

Supplementing school curriculum, ING speaker Nora Talebi presented an introduction to Muslims and Islam and then answered student questions on her experiences as a Muslim in the United States.

5/7: Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith in Alameda

ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan Speaker speaks to students in Alameda via webinar.

Supplementing school curriculum, ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan discussed the beliefs and practices of Muslim Americans, commenting on their demographics, history, and contributions. Following his presentation, students asked many questions about certain Muslim practices including the Five Pillars of Islam and Muslim holidays.

5/6: Countering Islamophobia through Education and Interfaith-Intercultural Engagements

ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi to audiences at the Salaam Islamic Center via Youtube Live.

ING Founder and Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi addressed the topic of countering Islamophobia through education and interfaith-intercultural engagement for Salaam Islamic Center’s weekly conversations about Islam during Ramadan. To view the recording, visit this page.

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

INGYouth (YTH) Events

5/20: INGYouth Workshop

ING Bay Area Director speaking with students at Francisco Middle School via webinar.

ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan hosted a workshop with Muslim students to discuss their experiences during Ramadan. Students spoke about their challenges of adjusting to Ramadan while attending school at home and ways their teachers can accommodate them to create more inclusive classrooms.

5/5: Ramadan, School, and COVID-19 Part 1

From left to right, top to bottom, Ishaq Pathan (Bay Area Director, ING), Banafsheh (Student, INGYouth Speaker, California), Huda (Student, INGYouth Speaker, Pennsylvania), Sarim (Student, INGYouth Speaker, Texas), Omar (Student, INGYouth Speaker, Illinois), and Aliza (Student, INGYouth Speaker, California) speaking to audiences over Facebook Live.

This Facebook Live webinar was the first in a two-part series about the impact of Ramadan on Muslim students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It features graduates of the INGYouth program discussing the various challenges as well as their strategies to balance fasting during Ramadan, social distancing, studying and attending school online. To view the series, visit this page.

To book an INGYouth workshop, visit this page.