PRESS RELEASE
November 6, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kelly Wentworth
American Islamic Fellowship
press@americanislamicfellowship.com
Ani Zonniveld
Muslims for Progressive Values
pa@mpvusa.org
American Islamic Organizations Unite in Wake of Fort Hood Shooting
Organizations encourage education and community involvement
ATLANTA, GA; LOS ANGELES, CA - November 6, 2009 - The American Islamic Fellowship and Muslims for Progressive Values united on Friday in voicing their concern and condemnation of the shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. The organizations send prayers and love to those affected by the shooting.
While the religion of the alleged shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, has not been confirmed, his names are often associated with practictioners of Islam. Thoughtless and groundless violence cannot ever be justified by any religious or personal beliefs and actions such as the shocking events in Fort Hood go against Islamic teachings of love and respect for life.
AIF and MPV expressly encourage people to continually educate themselves about conditions that contribute to such tragedies and to work with those organizations, like AIF and MPV, who strive to help eradicate society violence through continuous community involvement and violence prevention awareness.
About the American Islamic Fellowship
The American Islamic Fellowship (AIF) seeks to provide an open forum and spiritual community based on Islamic principles for the diverse voices of people of faith and to become an integral part of the Islamic and Interfaith communities locally, nationally, and internationally through the implementation of critical thinking, scholarly study, spiritual awareness, community action, and educational outreach.
About Muslims for Progressive Values
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) seeks to bring together progressive Muslims and friends who share their values to work for a more humane world. We welcome all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for the implementation of progressive values - social justice, human rights, economic opportunity, and separation of church and state - as well as tolerant and inclusive understandings of Islam.
~~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanisalmicfellowship.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Media Spotlight - The Wayne Fishell Experiment
This month, AIF would like to spotlight The Wayne Fishell Experiment.The Wayne Fishell Experiment is the very best gay-acoustic-indie-folk-pop music in the world! Wayne Fishell and big.peaches are long time supporters of the AIF Interfaith Music Festival and of AIF's bridge building work. AIF applauds The Wayne Fishell's continued efforts to bring peace and love to the community through music.
Check out The Wayne Fishell Experiment at: http://www.ofishell.com.
~~~~~American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.
~Billy Joel
Monday, September 28, 2009
Who Inspires You?
"Most Exalted is GOD, the only true King. Do not rush into uttering the Quran before it is revealed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase my knowledge." --Quran 20:114
~~~~~
In our discussion this week, we are going to look at inspirational people of faith. As we come to this topic, think about those people who have inspired you through their words, their deeds or in other ways. Is the person someone you know personally? Is the person an historical figure? Has the person inspired you to act intentionally or unintentionally? Is the person of the same faith or of a different faith or philosophy?
I can think of many people who have inspired me in my life. The members of my family are a group of people who have inspired me, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. My family continually positively challenges my faith by helping me further seek what it is that has brought me to this path on which I am.
My family is not the only group of people who have positively challenged me lately. I have been taking part in interfaith discussions with Christians through Understanding Islam sessions sponsored by a local church. The purpose of these discussions is to learn about Islam and learn about ways that Christians and Muslims can stay strong in each respective faith, but also learn how to build bridges with one another. The people in these sessions have made me really stop to think about why I am Muslim, what makes me a Muslim, how my beliefs are different from other religions/philosophies and how my beliefs are the same. I have enjoyed each discussion and look forward to developing lasting relationships with the people I meet.
I believe some of the most inspiring people of faith in my life are those who may not always agree with how I approach my spiritual path. I constantly look for ways I can ask God to "increase my knowledge" and believe this is absolutely done through these relationships.
How do you find inspiration in your faith?
Please share your thoughts with us at 8pm on Friday, October 2.
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
info@americanislamicfellowship.com
~~~~~
In our discussion this week, we are going to look at inspirational people of faith. As we come to this topic, think about those people who have inspired you through their words, their deeds or in other ways. Is the person someone you know personally? Is the person an historical figure? Has the person inspired you to act intentionally or unintentionally? Is the person of the same faith or of a different faith or philosophy?
I can think of many people who have inspired me in my life. The members of my family are a group of people who have inspired me, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. My family continually positively challenges my faith by helping me further seek what it is that has brought me to this path on which I am.
My family is not the only group of people who have positively challenged me lately. I have been taking part in interfaith discussions with Christians through Understanding Islam sessions sponsored by a local church. The purpose of these discussions is to learn about Islam and learn about ways that Christians and Muslims can stay strong in each respective faith, but also learn how to build bridges with one another. The people in these sessions have made me really stop to think about why I am Muslim, what makes me a Muslim, how my beliefs are different from other religions/philosophies and how my beliefs are the same. I have enjoyed each discussion and look forward to developing lasting relationships with the people I meet.
I believe some of the most inspiring people of faith in my life are those who may not always agree with how I approach my spiritual path. I constantly look for ways I can ask God to "increase my knowledge" and believe this is absolutely done through these relationships.
How do you find inspiration in your faith?
Please share your thoughts with us at 8pm on Friday, October 2.
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
info@americanislamicfellowship.com
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Interfaith Opportunitiy - Christian and Muslim Understanding
Trinity Presbyterian Church is sponsoring Understanding Islam sessions on Sunday, September 27 and Sunday, October 3 at 5pm.
These are round table discussions paired with a brief lecture by Dr. Ben Johnson, who has dedicated his life to bringing Muslims and Christians together for dialogue, so they can truly work together and endeavor to understand each other.
Each of these sessions seeks to increase understanding. There is no attempt by either group to convert each other.
Please come join us for a wonderful evening!
These are round table discussions paired with a brief lecture by Dr. Ben Johnson, who has dedicated his life to bringing Muslims and Christians together for dialogue, so they can truly work together and endeavor to understand each other.
Each of these sessions seeks to increase understanding. There is no attempt by either group to convert each other.
Please come join us for a wonderful evening!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Ms. Latifah in conjuction with Hajj Pros and Ashiq Entertainment
Presents
BassLine: Eid Concert
A Night of Music and Poetry as Ms. Latifah celebrates her birthday
Friday, 09.25.2009
8PM-12AM
The Black Lion: 253 Auburn Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303
Hosted by Comedian and Actor Omar Regan and Ms. Latifah
Featuring:
Amir Muhadith aka "Loon"
Liza Garza
Tyson
M-Team
Progress Theatre
Modern Day Prince
Basheer Jones
Sunni Patterson
Majee
Kelly Love Jones
Spinxx
Khalil Ismail
+ Live Band Gritz & Jelly Butter with DJ Mecca
AND VERY SPECIAL GUESTS!!!
Photography by Radcliffe Roye
Videography by Amir Tauheed
ONE AUDIENCE MEMBER WILL WIN THE PROCEEDS TOWARDS A TRIP TO HAJJ WITH HAJJ PROS!!!!
NO CHILDREN
Childcare can be provided
Contact Inshirah Jihad: 770/572-4566
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 @ the door
Visit http://www.mslatifah.com/ for more information, to purchase tickets, or donate towards Hajj!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Investing in People
Think back to the last time you were able to share a real conversation, of depth, with someone. Not the baseless trivial pleasantries we use, ad nasuem, to maintain relationships at bare minimum and, seemingly, make you dumber in the end. The kind you have with someone who shares, emphatically, the same ideologies as you, or deeply opposes them. It doesn't matter, either way, because something is ignited that hasn't been in a while. And all the while during this lengthy, tutelage descending discourse, you've managed to abandon 5 incoming calls and a hamburger patty left on the burner for close to two hours. That's the good stuff.
I was able to connect, in this way, with one of AIF's active fellows, Shahidah. We talked about everything from how people are desensitized by the news, which stemmed from a story in the news, to work and family woes. The article, in particular, was about a Saudi woman who was imprisoned for 9 months, along with her two children, for refusing to leave her husband after her half-brothers petitioned for her divorce.
Not satisfied as only a topic of conversation, Shahidah also detailed how I could take a more active role, as will I do for you. But this week, go the extra mile and give a piece of yourself to someone else. Invest in people because sometimes the greatest impact may be preceded by one phone call...or fax.
Here's a link to the interview with Fatima Bent Suleiman Al Azzaz: http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlemc.aspx?cp-documentid=20153794
Send a fax to: His Majesty, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at 011-966-1-491-2726. For a sample letter and more information, go to EqualityNow.org.
Here's a link to the interview with Fatima Bent Suleiman Al Azzaz: http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlemc.aspx?cp-documentid=20153794
Send a fax to: His Majesty, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at 011-966-1-491-2726. For a sample letter and more information, go to EqualityNow.org.
~~~~~
Abyan
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Georgia State University Professor Resigns over Bomb” Comments to Muslim-American Student
Georgia State University Professor Resigns over Bomb” Comments to Muslim-American Student
Atlanta, Georgia - July 1, 2009 - The Director of the Middle East Institute at Georgia State University, Dona J. Stewart, has resigned citing the university’s failure to address incidents of anti-Muslim bias.In August 2008 a Muslim-American doctoral student, Ms. Slma Shelbayah, was repeatedly asked by a senior faculty member, Dr. Mary Stuckey, if she was ‘carrying any bombs’ underneath her Islamic headscarf, or hijab.
Ms Shelbayah was also employed as a Visiting Instructor of Arabic in the Middle East Institute. She holds Bachelor and Masters degrees from Georgia State University.Dr. Stewart’s resignation cited retaliatory actions taken by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Lauren Adamson, following Ms. Shelbayah’s request that the incidents cease. The dean’s office demanded that Dr. Stewart remove Ms. Shelbayah from her visiting instructor position, cancelled Ms. Shelbayah’s registration for her doctoral courses, and declared Ms. Shelbayah ineligible to lead a study abroad program to Egypt previously approved by the president of the university.
Dr. Stewart refused to meet the dean’s demands, believing they violated Ms. Shelbayah’s constitutional rights and lacked due process. Dr. Stewart was subjected to numerous hostile comments and retaliatory actions by the dean that has impaired her ability to fulfill federal grant commitments and harmed her career.No disciplinary action was taken towards the senior faculty member.
The EEOC is currently investigating formal complaints filed by Stewart and Shelbayah.Dona Stewart is a former Fulbright scholar to Jordan and author of The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives. In 2006 she received GSU’s Exceptional Service Award and is the 2009 faculty recipient of the Sparks Award that recognizes GSU’s ‘unsung heroes’. She has led the Middle East Institute since 2002.
For further information contact: Attorney James E. Radford Dona J. Stewart, Ph.D.Parks, Chesin and Walbert, P.C. Professor of Geosciences75 Fourteenth Street, Atlanta, GA, 30309 donastewart@hotmail.com(404) 873-8000, JRADFORD@PCWLAWFIRM.COM www.gsu.edu/mideast
Atlanta, Georgia - July 1, 2009 - The Director of the Middle East Institute at Georgia State University, Dona J. Stewart, has resigned citing the university’s failure to address incidents of anti-Muslim bias.In August 2008 a Muslim-American doctoral student, Ms. Slma Shelbayah, was repeatedly asked by a senior faculty member, Dr. Mary Stuckey, if she was ‘carrying any bombs’ underneath her Islamic headscarf, or hijab.
Ms Shelbayah was also employed as a Visiting Instructor of Arabic in the Middle East Institute. She holds Bachelor and Masters degrees from Georgia State University.Dr. Stewart’s resignation cited retaliatory actions taken by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Lauren Adamson, following Ms. Shelbayah’s request that the incidents cease. The dean’s office demanded that Dr. Stewart remove Ms. Shelbayah from her visiting instructor position, cancelled Ms. Shelbayah’s registration for her doctoral courses, and declared Ms. Shelbayah ineligible to lead a study abroad program to Egypt previously approved by the president of the university.
Dr. Stewart refused to meet the dean’s demands, believing they violated Ms. Shelbayah’s constitutional rights and lacked due process. Dr. Stewart was subjected to numerous hostile comments and retaliatory actions by the dean that has impaired her ability to fulfill federal grant commitments and harmed her career.No disciplinary action was taken towards the senior faculty member.
The EEOC is currently investigating formal complaints filed by Stewart and Shelbayah.Dona Stewart is a former Fulbright scholar to Jordan and author of The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives. In 2006 she received GSU’s Exceptional Service Award and is the 2009 faculty recipient of the Sparks Award that recognizes GSU’s ‘unsung heroes’. She has led the Middle East Institute since 2002.
For further information contact: Attorney James E. Radford Dona J. Stewart, Ph.D.Parks, Chesin and Walbert, P.C. Professor of Geosciences75 Fourteenth Street, Atlanta, GA, 30309 donastewart@hotmail.com(404) 873-8000, JRADFORD@PCWLAWFIRM.COM www.gsu.edu/mideast
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