Saturday, AIF hosted "A Glimpse of Islam in America", which was a panel of Muslims representing different facets of Islam in the Atlanta area. Each panelist told a bit about their beliefs and how their beliefs could shape and benefit the communities of which both panelists and participants are a part.
The goals of the panel were:
1. To raise audience awareness (both Muslim and Non-Muslim) of some of the many different expressions of Islam in the United States.
2. To familiarize the audience with some unique characteristics of these expressions of American Islam.
3. To share unique ways these various facets enhance the greater Islamic community as well as the society at large.
4. To demonstrate tolerance, respect, understanding, cooperation and value in the discussion of differences of faith and practice as fellow seekers of God's Mercy and Grace.
5. To spiritually enrich the panelists and audience in the discussion of faith and help us strengthen our faith/ submission to God and to serve our communities in more compassionate and grace-filled ways.
I believe the goals were met and each partcipant walked away with something on which to do and/or ponder.
This, I hope, is just a start to a larger dialogue with and a move towards building bridges both inside and outside the Islamic community.
To hear audio of the event, please visit the following links:
A Glimpse of Islam - Part I - Introduction, Jannah Godlas, Dr. Jalal Zuberi, Dorrah Nensey
A Glimpse of Islam - Part II - Fereydoun Taslimi, Melissa Robinson, Patrick Muhammed
A Glimpse of Islam - Part III - Question and Answer session
Note: These audio files are in Mp3 format and are large, so they may take awhile to download.
We have several Questions that could not be addressed due to time constraints. In the new few days, parts of the questions will be posted to help you see into the mind of the audience.
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Something to Ponder - New Progressive Books
Religion Dispatches looks at two books that address interfaith, universal religion and Judaism among other things. I believe I see potential book club selections brewing!!
It's Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian
by Samir Selmanovic
Everything Is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism
by Jay Michaelson
Careful, these books might make you really look at your own faith in a different way!
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
It's Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian
by Samir Selmanovic
Everything Is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism
by Jay Michaelson
Careful, these books might make you really look at your own faith in a different way!
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
How Can I Help? MLK Day of Service
Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. worked tirelessly during his lifetime to strengthen communities, empower individuals and build bridges. The MLK Day of Service is an opportunities to continue his legacy. There are many ways to serve the community today and throughout the year.
The MLK Day website, sponsored by the United States government, has lots of information, including a history of Martin Luther King, Jr. and ways to serve.
Also, please visit AIF's "How Can I Serve My Community if I am Busy?" document about how to serve in person, online and with resources.
Thanks for working to help the community, to empower yourself and to build bridges!
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. worked tirelessly during his lifetime to strengthen communities, empower individuals and build bridges. The MLK Day of Service is an opportunities to continue his legacy. There are many ways to serve the community today and throughout the year.
The MLK Day website, sponsored by the United States government, has lots of information, including a history of Martin Luther King, Jr. and ways to serve.
Also, please visit AIF's "How Can I Serve My Community if I am Busy?" document about how to serve in person, online and with resources.
Thanks for working to help the community, to empower yourself and to build bridges!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
How Can I Help? Haiti Earthquake
The American Islamic Fellowship sends thoughts and prayers to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.
There are many, easy ways to help!
Charity Navigator has a fantastic guide called Help Survivors of the Earthquate in Haiti that details what to do to help and how. Money is the greatest need right now and giving even just $5 is a tremendous help. The website also has ratings and guides to help you confidently give to the charitable groups assisting those in need.
A few recommended by AIF:
American Red Cross - Text Haiti to 90999 to quickly donate $10 to the Haiti Relief Fund
Doctors without Borders
Islamic Relief USA
UNICEF
These are all groups AIF has actively supported in some capacity in the past.
Thank you for helping those in need!
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
There are many, easy ways to help!
Charity Navigator has a fantastic guide called Help Survivors of the Earthquate in Haiti that details what to do to help and how. Money is the greatest need right now and giving even just $5 is a tremendous help. The website also has ratings and guides to help you confidently give to the charitable groups assisting those in need.
A few recommended by AIF:
American Red Cross - Text Haiti to 90999 to quickly donate $10 to the Haiti Relief Fund
Doctors without Borders
Islamic Relief USA
UNICEF
These are all groups AIF has actively supported in some capacity in the past.
Thank you for helping those in need!
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Op-Ed: Love for Jesus can Bring Christians, Muslims Together
Love for Jesus Can Bring Christians, Muslims Together
By Ibrahim Hooper
“Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.’”
Before searching for this quote in the New Testament, you might first ask your Muslim co-worker, friend or neighbor for a copy of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text. The quote is from verse 45 of chapter 3 in the Quran.
It is well known, particularly in this holiday season, that Christians follow the teachings of Jesus. What is less well understood is that Muslims also love and revere Jesus as one of God's greatest messengers to mankind.
Other verses in the Quran, regarded by Muslims as the direct word of God, state that Jesus was strengthened with the “Holy Spirit” (2:87) and is a "sign for the whole world.” (21:91) His virgin birth was confirmed when Mary is quoted as asking: “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?” (3:47)
The Quran shows Jesus speaking from the cradle and, with God’s permission, curing lepers and the blind. (5:110) God also states in the Quran: “We gave (Jesus) the Gospel (Injeel) and put compassion and mercy into the hearts of his followers.” (57:27)
As forces of hate in this country and worldwide try to pull Muslims and Christians apart, we are in desperate need of a unifying force that can bridge the widening gap of interfaith misunderstanding and mistrust. That force could be the message of love, peace and forgiveness taught by Jesus and accepted by followers of both faiths.
Christians and Muslims would do well to consider another verse in the Quran reaffirming God’s eternal message of spiritual unity: “Say ye: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves.’” (2:136)
The Prophet Muhammad himself sought to erase any distinctions between the message he taught and that taught by Jesus, who he called God’s “spirit and word.” Prophet Muhammad said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
When Muslims mention the Prophet Muhammad, they always add the phrase “peace be upon him.” Christians may be surprised to learn that the same phrase always follows a Muslim’s mention of Jesus or that we believe Jesus will return to earth in the last days before the final judgment. Disrespect toward Jesus, as we have seen all too often in our society, is very offensive to Muslims.
Unfortunately, violent events and hate-filled rhetoric around the world provide ample opportunity for promoting religious hostility. And yes, Muslims and Christians do have some differing perspectives on Jesus’ life and teachings. But his spiritual legacy offers an alternative opportunity for people of faith to recognize their shared religious heritage.
America’s Muslim community stands ready to honor that legacy by building bridges of interfaith understanding and challenging those who would divide our nation along religious or ethnic lines.
We have more in common than we think.
~~~~~
Ibrahim Hooper
Ibrahim Hooper is National Communications Director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization. He may be contacted at: ihooper@cair.com
~~~~~
Note: Op-ed contributions are presented as a service to readers interested in Islamic, Interfaith and other faith-based articles. The views and ideas presented in articles are not necessarily supported by the American Islamic Fellowship. Views expressly supported by the American Islamic Fellowship will be signed by the American Islamic Fellowship Board of Directors.
By Ibrahim Hooper
“Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.’”
Before searching for this quote in the New Testament, you might first ask your Muslim co-worker, friend or neighbor for a copy of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text. The quote is from verse 45 of chapter 3 in the Quran.
It is well known, particularly in this holiday season, that Christians follow the teachings of Jesus. What is less well understood is that Muslims also love and revere Jesus as one of God's greatest messengers to mankind.
Other verses in the Quran, regarded by Muslims as the direct word of God, state that Jesus was strengthened with the “Holy Spirit” (2:87) and is a "sign for the whole world.” (21:91) His virgin birth was confirmed when Mary is quoted as asking: “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?” (3:47)
The Quran shows Jesus speaking from the cradle and, with God’s permission, curing lepers and the blind. (5:110) God also states in the Quran: “We gave (Jesus) the Gospel (Injeel) and put compassion and mercy into the hearts of his followers.” (57:27)
As forces of hate in this country and worldwide try to pull Muslims and Christians apart, we are in desperate need of a unifying force that can bridge the widening gap of interfaith misunderstanding and mistrust. That force could be the message of love, peace and forgiveness taught by Jesus and accepted by followers of both faiths.
Christians and Muslims would do well to consider another verse in the Quran reaffirming God’s eternal message of spiritual unity: “Say ye: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves.’” (2:136)
The Prophet Muhammad himself sought to erase any distinctions between the message he taught and that taught by Jesus, who he called God’s “spirit and word.” Prophet Muhammad said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
When Muslims mention the Prophet Muhammad, they always add the phrase “peace be upon him.” Christians may be surprised to learn that the same phrase always follows a Muslim’s mention of Jesus or that we believe Jesus will return to earth in the last days before the final judgment. Disrespect toward Jesus, as we have seen all too often in our society, is very offensive to Muslims.
Unfortunately, violent events and hate-filled rhetoric around the world provide ample opportunity for promoting religious hostility. And yes, Muslims and Christians do have some differing perspectives on Jesus’ life and teachings. But his spiritual legacy offers an alternative opportunity for people of faith to recognize their shared religious heritage.
America’s Muslim community stands ready to honor that legacy by building bridges of interfaith understanding and challenging those who would divide our nation along religious or ethnic lines.
We have more in common than we think.
~~~~~
Ibrahim Hooper
Ibrahim Hooper is National Communications Director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization. He may be contacted at: ihooper@cair.com
~~~~~
Note: Op-ed contributions are presented as a service to readers interested in Islamic, Interfaith and other faith-based articles. The views and ideas presented in articles are not necessarily supported by the American Islamic Fellowship. Views expressly supported by the American Islamic Fellowship will be signed by the American Islamic Fellowship Board of Directors.
Friday, December 11, 2009
A Thought for Today
"The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don't agree with." -- Eleanor Holmes Norton
Friday, December 4, 2009
Community Event - Human Rights in Islam Symposium
Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta
2nd Annual Symposium
Sunday December 13th
10am To 5pm
at Al-Farooq Masjid
Balancing Rights and Obligations In Light of Qur’an and Sunnah
Participating Masajid: Al-Farooq Masjid, Masjid Al Hedaya, Atlanta Masjid, Hamzah Masjid, ICNF, Masjid Omar Bin Abdul Aziz, Roswell Community Masjid
Speakers: Mufti Khalid, Mufti Sajid, Mufti Saiful Islam, Br. Hisham Hawasli, Br. Plemon El-Amin, Rev. Ben Johnson, and Others
Al-Farooq Masjid (AFM) is committed to the advancement of the knowledge of Islam and its understanding as a way of life. It aims to promote the development of a community which is God conscious and understands its role in advancing all that is good in the society at large. AFM also aspires to establish relations with non-Muslims in order to forge new relationships based on dialogue and communication.
~~~~~
Note: Community Events are presented as a service to readers interested in Islamic, Interfaith and other faith-based events. The views and ideas presented during community events are not necessarily supported by the American Islamic Fellowship. Events and Views expressly supported by the American Islamic Fellowship will be signed by the American Islamic Fellowship Board of Directors.
~~~~~
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
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