Table of Contents:

• Last Chance – Register Today for ING’s Halaqa-Seder
• ING Speaker Helps Community Members “Correct Misconceptions” About Islam and Muslims
• Answering Difficult Questions about Islam and Muslims in the Current Political Environment
• Birds of Longing: Exile and Memory – Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Poetry from the Convivencia
• Featured Events from ING’s Interfaith Allies Program

***Last Chance – Register Today!***
ING’s Muslim-Jewish Halaqa-Seder:
A Celebration of the Exodus Story

Sunday, April 3rd, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Rehearsals continue for the Muslim-Jewish Halaqa-Seder: A Celebration of the Exodus Story, convened by ING in partnership with Congregation Shir Hadash, the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and the Pacifica Institute this Sunday April 3rd, 2016.

Muslim and Jewish actors will present short dramatic reenactments of scenes from the Exodus Story in Muslim and Jewish scriptures followed by engaging interfaith table conversations and a halal/kosher dinner among members of the South Bay’s Muslim and Jewish communities.

Registration closes soon – Reserve your seats today! Tickets are $10/person (to cover costs). Contact Deputy Director-Programs Sean Rose ([email protected]) for further information.

ING Speaker Helps Community Members
“Correct Misconceptions” About Islam and Muslims

Last weekend, an ING Speaker was in Santa Cruz to deliver a “Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith” presentation at Calvary Episcopal Church. With almost 70 attendees from across the community, the presentation was standing room only and included a lively and thoughtful Q&A session. One of the organizers told us: “I can’t thank you enough for your excellent presentation. We’re still talking about it! In fact, what I learned was very useful in helping me correct some misconceptions of friends the very next day. This is exactly the kind of broader impact we hope will come of discussions like this. Peace be with you.”

Register Now for Our April 16th Workshop on Answering Difficult Questions about Islam and Muslims in the Current Political Environment

Saturday, April 16th, 12:30 PM in San Ramon

For Muslims participating or wishing to participate in interfaith work or speaking to the public about Islam, this workshop was designed for you. Non-Muslim interfaith allies welcome!

The current moment is one of the most challenging times to be an American Muslim. Islamophobia is at an all-time high, fueled in part by recent tragic national and international events in Brussels, San Bernardino, Paris, and elsewhere, and with growing anti-Muslim and anti-minority rhetoric during this election year. This day-long workshop will focus on guidelines, methodology, and knowledge for understanding and responding to frequently asked questions about Islam and Muslims. The workshop is suitable for ages high school and above. Attendees will receive a printed kit with answers to common FAQs. Registration fee: $10 which covers materials and coffee and snacks. Register today!

Birds of Longing: Exile and Memory – Muslim, Jewish,
and Christian Poetry from the Convivencia
Thursday, March 31st, 7:00 – 9:00 PM in Los Gatos

The art project “Birds of Longing: Exile and Memory” interweaves Muslim, Jewish, and Christian poetry and spiritual texts from the period of the Convivencia in Spain (eighth through fifteenth centuries) and from contemporary Middle Eastern poets, particularly Palestinian and Israeli. ING Chief Executive Officer Maha Elgenaidi will participate on an interfaith panel reflecting on the artwork and texts.

Featured Events from ING’s Interfaith Allies Program