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

"The Hijab Problem" - A Poem

(after "The Problem" by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I like a shawl; I like hijab;
I love Muslimahs, think they're fab.
And on my heart hijabi styles
Fall like sweet strains, or kohl-eyed smiles;
Yet not for all her faith can see
Would I that hijab'd sister be.

Why should the scarf on her allure
Which I could not on me endure?

-Jannah Bint Hannah

~~~~~

Jannah
Friend of American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com

Opportunity to Make a Difference - International

Here is an opportunity to have your voice heard in an international project called the Charter for Compassion. Led by author Karen Armstrong and supported by the TED Prize, the Charter for Compassion Project is aimed at bringing together people from all walks of life and focused on the shared human concept through many philosophies and religions of The Golden Rule. You can contribute your thoughts to the charter and your stories about your faith and compassion you have experienced or given in you life.

From the Charter for Compassion website:

The Charter for Compassion is a collaborative effort to build a peaceful and harmonious global community. Bringing together the voices of people from all religions, the Charter seeks to remind the world that while all faiths are not the same, they all share the core principle of compassion and the Golden Rule. The Charter will change the tenor of the conversation around religion. It will be a clarion call to the world.

Video about the Charter for Compassion

Feel inspired and share your compassion with the world!

~~~~~~

Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com

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