A PASSION FOR GOOD
Lexington physician Hamid Hussain Sheikh has selected ISNA to host an endowment fund honoring his mother Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh (HRSS). The program, which comprises the HRSS Islamic Studies and HRSS Journalism scholarships, as well as the HRSS Lecture, traces its roots to Hajja Razia Sheikh (1920-89), a mother of eight with a passion for helping the less fortunate. Her family has established endowments and trusts so that her legacy will live on through helping others and educating university students about Islam. Born in Lahore, she had no formal schooling and learned the Quran and Islam at home. A firm believer in education, she nevertheless made sure that all of her children were highly educated. Three became physicians. A brave woman, she did not let her disabling stroke deter her from performing Hajj. An endowment at the University of Kentucky funds the library’s HRSS Islamic Civilization books section. Funds are also
SECRETARY GENERAL EXPLAINS HATE SPEECH
disbursed through the HRSS Islamic Studies scholarship and the HRSS Lecture program. Anna Secor, professor of geography, social theory, and gender and women’s studies at the university’s College of Arts and Sciences, was appointed on April 8 as the first Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh Islamic Studies professor. Sheikh and his wife Amy Lee created the endowed professorship under their HRSS endowment. Hamid Sheikh has eleven children and four grandchildren. An endowment at Oakland University, Rochester, Mich., funds the HRSS Islamic Studies Scholarship, the HRSS Lecture, the HRSS study abroad scholarship and the library’s HRSS Islamic books section. An endowment at the University of Michigan funds the HRSS Lecture, the HRSS Islamic Studies Scholarship and the HRSS study abroad scholarship in Islamic Studies. The Columbia University endowment funds the HRSS Islamic Studies Fellowship Scholarship. Efforts are underway to establish an HRSS Lecture there. These endowments support students interested in studying Islam’s history, traditions and culture, and students who, as part of their academic program, travel to a Muslim country. The program provides funds for tuition, fees, books, room and board and travel expenses. The HRSS Charity Trust in Pakistan serves the needy and the sick. To apply, visit isna.net/scholarships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled in an Islamic studies or journalism at an accredited institution in the U.S.
ISNA secretary general Hazem Bata (center) at the festival.
■
individuals for “Reentry” into society. Ali remarked, “The crucial work that chaplains do is admirable and inspiring. This special group of dedicated men and women provide vital services to those in need, which also impacts their families and society at large.”
■
The Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership Steering Committee, of which ISNA is a member, has published two resources on faith and mental health: “Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders” and its companCORRIGENDUM On Oct. 17, Sayyid M. Syeed, national director ion “Quick Reference of ISNA Office for Interfaith & Community on Mental Health Alliances, received the 2015 HCEF Faith and for Faith Leaders.” Tolerance Award from The Holy Land ChrisBoth of these can be tian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) board downloaded for free at www.psychiatry. of directors. In our Sept./Oct. 2015 issue, we org/faith. mistakenly used the short headline “Holy Land Foundation Honors Sayyid Syeed.” HCEF has These guides provide information to no relation to nor has it ever been associated help faith leaders understand more about in any way with the Holy Land Foundation. mental illness and how to help those Palestine is the Holy Land for Jews, Christians members of their congregations who are and Muslims alike. affected by these challenges.
■
ISLAMIC HORIZONS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
On Aug. 29, ISNA sponsored and participated in the annual Indianapolis Festival of Faiths hosted by the Center for Interfaith Cooperation. Indianapolis is one of few cities to host this event, which seeks to foster the humanitarian spirit by bringing people together to learn, understand and appreciate shared ideas and prayers as one human family. “There’s a lot of divisiveness today and it’s important that we build bridges through dialogue and experience to counteract the divisiveness.” ISNA Secretary General Hazem Bata stated. “The festival helps us recognize that we’re all sisters and brothers in humanity and fellow Americans. It brings us closer together in a beautiful way by celebrating our diversity. The Desmond Tutu Center for Peace, Reconciliation, and Global Justice hosted two workshops: the “I am Change Youth Empowerment” and the “Leadership Workshop and Social Awareness Table Conversations.” Bata discussed hate speech, one of the eight topics on his table’s conversations, by examining the legality of four scenarios, including antiIslam bus ads. The festival’s Sacred Art Stage highlighted various prayers, music, and dances from different faith traditions and cultures. Najam Sheraz, who also performed at ISNA’s 52nd Annual Convention in Chicago, sang nasheeds and traditional folk songs with lyrics that highlight Islamic beliefs. The stage was also used to demonstrate Jewish, Pagan, and Sikh wedding traditions. Booths set up by various places of worship and nonprofit organizations presented their faith tradition’s work and educational materials. ISNA worked with a local mosque and Muslim organizations to showcase their diversity as well as to create an opportunity to strengthen intra-faith partnerships. The festival concluded with a group prayer for world peace and unity.
■
11