Salam alaykum,

Fall 2016 is off to an impressive start! Our local speakers have been busy traveling all over the San Francisco Bay Area giving presentations about Islam and Muslims and participating in interfaith panels and discussions. Through these efforts we’ve been able to reach nearly 5,000 people face-to-face between September 1st and October 31st, and have nearly twice as many presentations and panels scheduled over the next few months.

ING Highlights in September and October

Over the past two months, ING has been invited to present at a number of churches and other houses of worship, schools, community based organizations, and colleges and universities, including San Jose State University, University of San Francisco, Grace Cathedral, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the USDA, and San Mateo County Behavioral Health Services, to name a few. Presentations like these help to further our mission of countering prejudice and discrimination, promoting intercultural understanding, and fostering mutual respect through education and community engagement.

“Overall, the presentation was both eye opening and very applicable to today’s political, religious, and socio-economic discourses. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned.”

– College student, University of San Francisco

Members of our Interfaith Speakers Bureau addressed religious extremism in different faith traditions at Ainsley House Museum in Campbell.

ING Content Director Ameena Jandali spoke to a group of law enforcement officers and volunteers at the Pleasanton Police Department. Ameena focused on the importance of enhancing cultural competency skills and building relationships with the local Muslim community.

ING speaker Ismael Nass gave a presentation to church leaders at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Jose. After the presentation, one attendee remarked,

“His presentation was exactly what I was hoping for. He built bridges by teaching us about the things that we have in common.”

ING CEO Maha Elgenaidi spoke to over 200 attendees at The Forum at Grace Cathedral. Among the many topics addressed, Maha discussed the issue of who belongs in America and the American Muslim experience.

We are very happy to report that we have added five new speakers to our Islamic Speakers Bureau. One of our newest speakers, Bahira Metwally, spoke at a private Catholic school in Gilroy. As you can see by the raised hands, the students were eager to ask Bahira many questions about Islam and Muslims.

Over a two-day period, ING Youth Coordinator Ishaq Pathan delivered our Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith presentation to a local middle school’s entire seventh grade class. That’s a grand total of 360 students!

These are a small part of ING’s national programs. Help us grow our footprint by donating online or mailing a check to ING (3031 Tisch Way, Suite 950, San Jose, CA 95218).

In peace,

Maha Elgenaidi
Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Networks Group