On April 7, congregants of Shaare Torah in Gaithersburg, Maryland, found their synagogue defaced with swastikas and profanity. The incident devastated congregants like Michael Weisel, who said, “When my wife called me and told me what happened, I was speechless. I started to cry.” Continue reading…

To read more papers and essays by Maha Elgenaidi, visit her editorial page.

May 9th South Bay Luncheon for
ING Supporters and Guests
11:30 am – 2:00 pm

We cordially invite ING supporters and their guests to a special luncheon on May 9th from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Attendees will receive an important brief on the impact of ING programs in the community, as well as an update on the new endowment campaign. Please register for the luncheon here.

Social Justice Conference in San Jose

ING speakers Asma Ghori and Ismael Nass participated in a Social Justice Conference organized by teachers in San Jose. The purpose of the conference was to inform the public about issues related to inequality and how it affects our lives on a daily basis. The organizers stated, “It is paramount that the community and people’s organizations know that we are struggling to bring equality into the forefront of our society and struggle; without equality our communities and society cannot move forward into building an equal and strong world.” Asma and Ismael participated in two workshops, where they spoke about Muslim Contributions to Society andMuslim Women beyond the Stereotypes. Both presentations were well received by the audience who appreciated the speakers’ perspective.

Interfaith Panel on War and Children

ING Speaker Ismael Nass was part of an interfaith panel that addressed the effects of war on children last Saturday evening at the Interfaith Chapel of the Presidio in San Francisco. The panel was organized in conjunction with two concerts by the San Francisco Girls Chorus on April 17 and 19 where they performed works based on texts exploring that topic.

ING CEO Reads from “Native Informants” at
Stanford Avicenna Journal Program

ING CEO Maha Elgenaidi read excerpts from her paper “American Muslim Groups as Native Informants of Neo-Orientalism: Essentialism, Reproduction, and Intellectual Manipulation” at a reception and program for Avicenna, the Stanford Journal on Muslim Affairs. To read her full article, see the new volume of Avicenna.

Lake Merritt Senior Living Lecture on Islam and Muslims

ING’s Content Director Ameena Jandali delivered a presentation on Islam and Muslims to a group of senior citizens at an Oakland retirement home, where she described the basic tenets and practices of the faith before addressing commonly misunderstood issues relating to extremism and women. The lecture was followed by a Q and A session where attendees asked a variety of questions about sectarianism, shariah law, and Muslim women. Many of the attendees had travelled or lived in Muslim-majority countries and had live experience interacting with Muslims.

Save the Date – May 16th
Second Annual ING Service Day

ING is holding its second annual Service Day on May 16th from 10:00-12:00. We will be joining Rahima Foundation in its monthly food distribution at 2345 Harris Way, San Jose 95131 (New SBIA Bldg). If you interested in participating in our service day, please contact[email protected].

 Upcoming Events

Monday, April 27 – 6 PM
Dialogue and Friendship Dinner
Tresidder Union – Stanford University

This event, endorsed by ING, aims to enhance intercultural understanding and dialogue within the Stanford community by bringing individuals from diverse backgrounds together, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, businessmen, and religious and community leaders. The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. John Esposito.

Wednesday, April 29 – 7 PM
Book signing and panel: “Granada: A Pomegranate in the Hand of God”
Interfaith Chapel of the Presidio – San Francisco

Author Steven Nightingale will read a brief selection from the book, focusing on the legendary convivencia—the “living together” of Moslem, Christian, and Jewish communities in Medieval Spain. It was a brilliant historical example of the power and intelligence of interfaith communities. An interfaith panel will discuss the ways in which just such work is carried out today, and how it might be deepened, extended, and enriched, so as to build a foundation of hope for a future of peace.

Wednesday, May 6 – 9 AM
Rituals of Death, Dying, and Mourning
Pacific School of Religion – Berkeley

ING Content Director Ameena Jandali will be the Muslim speaker on an interfaith panel discussing “Rituals of Death, Dying, and Mourning” for classes in field education and in weddings, baptisms, and funerals at the Pacific School of Religion. Other students and members of the wider community may also attend.

Saturday, May 9 – 9 AM
Notre Dame de Namur University Commencement
Notre Dame de Namur University – Belmont

ING CEO Maha Elgenaidi will deliver the invocation at commencement ceremonies for Notre Dame de Namur University.

Saturday, May 9 – 11:30 AM
ING South Bay Luncheon
Santa Clara Marriott – Santa Clara

ING supporters and their guests are invited to a special luncheon on May 9th from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Attendees will receive an important brief on the impact of ING programs in the community, as well as an update on the new endowment campaign.

Saturday, May 16 – 6 PM
Community Conversation with ING & CAIR: Chapel Hill Murders, Islamophobia, and Moving Forward
West Valley Muslim Association – Saratoga

The West Valley Muslim Association will hold a conversation with ING, CAIR-SFBA, and with a representative from the Muslim Mental Health Professionals Network about the current landscape of hate crimes and Islamophobia. With anti-Muslim advertisements running on buses in San Francisco and the tragic killings in Chapel Hill, understanding what is happening and what we can do to push back as individuals and a community is critical.