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ISNAMATTERS A Community of Trust
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New ISNA Fellows
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SNA has announced the 2010-11 Fellows, whose studies in nonprofit management are supported by the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal/ISNA Fellowship Program. The winners are Anbar Mahar, Celene Ayat Lizzio, Sofia Latif, Mohammad Bilal Kaleem, Naaima Khan, and Shahla Khan. They will receive education and training in nonprofit management and philanthropy at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University or other accredited institutions of higher education and centers of philanthropic studies. Hasan Abdullah remarked: “I am very passionate about social justice, especially when working with Muslim American issues. Growing up in the United States, I have witnessed firsthand the progress of the Muslim American community. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of civil rights, representation, and identity. For a religious group with some of the highest levels of education, experience, success and diversity in the U.S., there is much potential for greater and accurate representation in all fields of society.” Naaima Khan, who believes that Muslim Americans have a great stake in continuing to expand social and advocacy organizations, would “like to take part in contributing to the growth
Doug Sauer (executive director, New York Council of Nonprofits), first left, spoke to ISNA fellows (Left to Right) Nida Saleem (ISNA Student Programs and Planned Giving Coordinator), fellows Shahla Khan, Celene Lizzio, Naaima Khan, Sofia Latif, Anbar Mahar, and Hasan Abdullah, with Ahmed ElHattab (executive director, ISNA Development Foundation) _________________________________________________
and development of Muslim nonprofits.” The fellowship, says Shahla Khan, will enable her to further “the advancement of those that are flourishing in my community, meeting and gaining experiences from other Muslims and nonMuslims who share the same passions I do, learning to work, share ideas, and communicate effectively with others in my community.” Sofia Latif hopes to utilize her internship to further explore her interest in applying data analysis-oriented fields so that nonprofits can focus their resources strategically to better serve their various stakeholders. Celene Ayat Lizzio seeks to develop a theoretical framework for leadership while honing skillsets and capacity to be that essential “behind-the-scenes” figure: the effective organizer, humble administrator, minister, and leader who does not chase after public recognition and praise. Anbar Mahar sees the fellowship as a “learning experience that goes beyond the classroom as key components of the program provide me the opportunity to learn from others.”
Leaders Meet at Entrepreneurship Summit ISNA was part of President Obama’s 14-30 Apr. “Summit on Entrepreneurship,”
which brought about 250 Muslim entrepreneurs from all over the world. On 29 Apr., ISNA joined Interfaith Youth Core, One World 2011, and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in feting Muslim delegates who had attended the summit proceedings earlier that day. The reception was addressed by Farah Pandith (U.S. State Department Representative to Muslim Communities),Virginia Sate Delegate Tom Rust (R), Dob Walsh (president, One World 2011), and Imam Mohamed Magid (vice president US-ISNA; imam and director, ADAMS), and Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed. Attendees included heads of national Muslim organizations and Muslim business executives. Robert Marro (board member, ADAMS) served as master of ceremonies. 10 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
t a conference on “Managing Fear through Faith,” held in suburban Washington (DC) on 23 Mar. Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed (national director, ISNA Office of Interfaith Alliances and Community Initiatives) emphasized that everyone must strive to build a community of trust by promoting mutual understanding and confidence. Drawing an analogy from the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, he noted that Chile had a far lower loss of human lives and infrastructure because it has a strong infrastructure and is relatively prepared for these disasters. This, he added, is just as “true for us as a multifaith society. We need to have strong intrafaith and interfaith institutions. Just like the impact of natural disasters can be less damagDr. Sayyid M. Syeed ing if there are institutions, similarly, extremism and bigotry can have less impact in societies where there are effective programs and activities that promote understanding.” This provided a very positive background for introducing ISNA’s interfaith activities and alliance building. Sponsored by Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, the U.S. in the World Initiative, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, this conference was co-hosted by the Bethesda Jewish Congregation, Idara e Jaferia Mosque, the “Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue,” the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, and the New America Foundation. David Gray (pastor, Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church) stressed the need to overcome stereotypes, division, and overreaction against groups in the event of another fearinducing event in America. Other speakers included Priscilla Lewis and Sue Veres Royal (co-directors, the U.S. in the World Initiative), David Myers (director, Department of Homeland Security Faith Based Office), Prof. Peter Stearns (provost, George Mason University), Stephen Heintz (president, Rockefeller Brothers Fund), Daisy Khan (executive director, American Society for Muslim Advancement), Clark Lobenstine (InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington), Chloe Breyer (Interfaith Center of New York), Arthur Waskow (The Shalom Center), Joshua Stanton (founder, “Journal of InterReligious Dialogue”), and Tyler Zoanni (Harvard University).