Progressive Muslim Anthology

Progressive Muslim Anthology coming soon! Please send us your submissions!

Message from MPV USA , Chair, Ani Zonneveld -

Dear Progressive Muslims,

Muslims for Progressive Values is publishing an anthology on the perspectives and life stories of Muslim progressives living in North America (USA and Canada). We invite you to submit your writings on what being a progressiveMuslim means to you. We are looking for personal, thought-provoking and honest reflections on life as experienced byprogressive Muslims, experiences readers of all backgrounds can connect and relate to.

All too often, progressive Muslim perspectives are ignored, misconstrued, or overshadowed. Now is our chance to reclaim and celebrate our voices...to share ideas and opinions in our own words, on our own terms. Please join us in this powerful and unique opportunity.

We welcome submissions, long or short, on the following topics or any other issues you would like to write about:

- Personal spiritual journey
- Self empowerment/acceptance
- Mixed faith or multicultural parenting and marriages/relationships
- Career path/life goals
- Surviving trauma/violence/abuse
- Evolving perspectives on religion/spirituality/politics
- Contributing to communities (volunteering, activism, etc.)
- Poetry or other forms of self-expression are welcome

There are no minimum or maximum word requirements. However, submissions should not exceed 30 pages.

Writers are not limited to the above-mentioned topics. Please email us if you have any questions at info@mpvusa.org. Previously published work, appropriately credited and cited, will be considered. Our goal is to highlight and share diverse perspectives from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, sectarian affiliations, backgrounds, etc. This opportunity is open to those who have identified as a "progressive Muslim" for years before MPV was even founded and for those who are new to the "movement" and are figuring out what being a progressive Muslim means to them.

No previous writing experience is required. However, please edit for spelling and grammar prior to submission. We will work with writers to edit accepted submissions and ensure a cohesive narrative. There is no financial compensation forselected essays. All proceeds from book sales will support Muslims for Progressive Values. Published submissions will become the property of Muslims for Progressive Values.

The deadline for submitting essays is Tuesday, November 30th, 2010. Please email submissions to info@mpvusa.org. Include the essay in the text of the email and the following information: Name (and/or pen name), age, profession, and contact information (email and phone number).

And lastly, please forward widely!

Peace and many blessings,

Ani Zonneveld
Co-Founder/Chair
Muslims for Progressive Values

New Muslim Cool

PBS is offering a free encore streaming of NEW MUSLIM COOL on the POV website,http://www.pbs.org/pov/newmuslimcool

Please spread the word that the film is available for streaming for a limited time.

And of course after you check the film out on-line, you can support the work and get your own Home DVD copy and Fitna Free t-shirts athttp://www.newmuslimcool.com/buy

Unsettled, but Determined

I came home today after listening to the news on the radio and cried. So much so, that my husband said I should refrain from looking at it the rest of the evening. What upset me so? Well, not just one thing, but a combination of things.

WSB Radio started broadcasting in FM today. That, in and of itself, actually made me smile. I enjoy the station and listen to it almost daily. Sean Hannity was on in the afternoon. While not in total agreement with all things Sean Hannity, I do find the show to be amusing, much to many of my more political friends' sometimes puzzled looks. Brigitte Gabriel was a guest on the show. She has been a guest on both the radio and tv show several times. I usually just dismiss her or listen with sympathy about what events must have led her to be so full of hate.

It was the combination of all that shook me. Especially when Gabriel was given the sole voice after the counterpoint for a debate about the "ground zero" mosque left. Why did it upset me so? Well, Sean Hannity, while far from a bastion of constant love, generally stops people from outright vitriol regarding issues. He did not do that this time. Sean Hannity and his listeners, for me, represent my neighbors, my friends and my family. I grew up with people who are conservative in many areas, but not hateful. These are people who were conservative, but would defend someone's rights with every bit of themselves. I no longer see that, but the trouble is, I do not believe people like Sean Hannity can see how the current views being espoused by people like Brigitte Gabriel are poisonous, for society and the United States. WSB Radio is now heard in many more places and today, being the first day the station broadcasted in FM, met audiences with such a narrow view.

It is a scary situation when a person is a bigot, but does not see it. It is even more unnerving when those same people give serious consideration to someone who capitalizes on bigotry.

I wanted to write Mr. Hannity, but at this point, I see little point. I am not generally a defeatist, but I am a pragmatist and see little reason why writing directly to the show would help. So, I am appealing to a wider audience, people who read mainstream news sources. I encourage those reading this to write people like Sean Hannity to help them understand how encouraging people, like Brigette Gabriel, is wrong. While Ms. Gabriel has every right to express herself, it is important a louder, counter voice should move against people like her to soften her voice. Love, not hate, should be the loudest in the cacophony of daily news.

Even if the voices of hate become louder, I do know there is hope. In Atlanta, religious and interfaith groups are mobilizing to show solidarity with each other. For example, the Atlanta Masjid, along with the American Islamic Fellowship, are Emergent Christian Cohorts and other groups, united under the name Allah’s Supper, are sponsoring a dinner to celebrate the meaning of Ramadan to Muslims and the meaning of the Lord’s Supper to Christians. A growing Facebook group is promoting National Don’t Burn a Quran, Read a Quran, Bible, Torah (and other inspirational/religious texts) Day. On a larger scale, is a planned Global Prayer for Peace sponsored by the group Project - Peace on Earth. Such events are a constant and help mobilization against groups that subtly, and sometimes not so subtly, promote views contrary to the spirit of America and humanity.

I will not lose my optimism. I know, in the end, the foundation on which this country was founded will prevail. I may lose myself in the moment, but, to quote Daniel Webster, "We may be tossed upon an ocean where we can see no land -- nor, perhaps, the sun or stars. But there is a chart and a compass for us to study, to consult, and to obey. That chart is the Constitution."

The Muslim View

Despite the seeming outpouring of articles, sites, appearances and support from various sources to show the very diverse views and approaches to the Islamic faith, many people in the US and worldwide have very negative reactions to Muslims - from internalized fear to daily publicized rants.

There are many people inside the interfaith/philosophy community working to combat these fears and educate others about Islam. One site, The Muslim View, takes the approach of taking current events centered around the topic of Islam, summarizing an extremist view, an ordinary American view and then "The Muslim View". It is the hope of the site that it can combat stereotypical impressions and move past having one's named religion being the soul source of judgement of a person's character.

The Muslim View, pioneered by Muslim women including Laleh Bakhtiar of AIF's Scholar Board, strives to hear voices from many points of views. Stop by the site, see where you can contribute and where your view can be heard.

~~~~~~

Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com