ING CEO Joins Post-Screening
UnMosqued Panel

ING CEO Maha Elgenaidi joined a panel of thought leaders and organization representatives for a panel discussion following the screening of the film UnMosqued at the Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara last Friday. Maha spoke about her own experiences with mosques and her disillusionment with the problems and short-comings that plague many mosques. She expressed her support for alternative spaces as well as genuine efforts to improve our mosques and make them places of spiritual growth and inspiration. Her thoughts on the topic were published this week on Patheos, where she asserts that Being UnMosqued and Complacent is No Longer an Option.

ING Speakers Presented to
Over 850 People Last Week

The end of October saw another busy week for ING with a total of over 850 people attending ING presentations or panels. Presentations included Naima Jameson offering Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith to two high school classes, Exploring Muslim Traditions and Practices to three classes at a middle school, and presentations on Muslim Contributions to Civilization to 20 classes at middle and high schools in Palo Alto, San Jose, and Fremont, a third being delivered via webinar. An interfaith panel representing all five major world faiths was delivered via webinar to a school in Brooklyn, New York in which speakers discussed the values shared among their faiths.

Catch the Inaugural INGYouth
Workshop This Saturday

How do we help prevent or respond to stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and bullying that impacts over 50% of Muslim youth and the adults in their lives? To that end, ING has launched INGYouth to support parents and middle through college age students in building confidence and pride in their identity, while taking constructive action in schools and college campuses to create a safer learning environment for all students.

Students age 11 through 22 as well as their parents are invited to join us at our upcoming INGYouth workshop at the Muslim Community Center of the East Bay in Pleasanton from 9:30-3:30. Register here.

ING Affiliate in Tennessee Holds
Annual Women’s Conference

The American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC), an ING affiliate in Tennessee), held their 2nd annual women’s conference “Empowering Women: Strength through Diversity,” with over 120 women from different races, ethnicities, and perspectives coming together to discuss issues dear to their hearts including mental health, physical well-being, financial literacy, and sustainability. The keynote speaker was Namira Islam, executive director of Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative.

Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty Holds Essay Contest On Religious Garb Conflicts

Entries are now being accepted for the 2015 Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee.

All high school students in the graduating classes of 2015 and 2016 can enter by writing an essay between 800-1,200 words addressing the following:

In an essay, discuss whether and to what extent an employer should be able to dictate an employee’s attire — such as denying an employee’s request to wear religious garb.

Should the image or brand the employer portrays with a dress code trump the employee’s religious expression? What are the broader implications for religious liberty?