215474_01-64.qxd:IH
6/11/10
12:32 PM
Page 12
ISNAMATTERS Dr. Elsanousi (second from right, second row), Joshua DuBois (first right, first row), and Mara Vanderslice (second right, first row) __________________________________________________
Religions for Peace
I
SNA was represented by Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi (director of community outreach, ISNA Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances) in the executive council meeting of the Religions for Peace USA held under the theme Advancing Partnerships between US Religious Communities and the US Government” on 7 April. The meeting discussed the report "A New Era of Partnerships - Report of Rec-
12 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
ommendations to the President" and focused on the section dealing with interreligious cooperation. Rev. Joshua DuBois (Assistant to the President; executive director, White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships) reiterated the government’s commitment to interreligious cooperation and partnership and reported on the enthusiasm and cooperation across all federal agencies as regard to this new beginning. He reaffirmed the President’s commitment to the implementation of the recommenda-
tions of the President’s Taskforce on Interfaith Dialogue and Partnerships. ISNA president Dr. Ingrid Mattson was member of this taskforce. Rev. DuBois lauded ISNA’s leadership and participation in the United we Serve project last summer. Dr. Elsanousi appreciated the Administration’s involvement in the project at the highest level and noted the positive messages it sends to interreligious communities at the grassroots level such as the Muslim community’s response to the President’s call for service. Muslim Americans organized more that 3000 service projects last summer—a report on these projects was presented to the White House. He said implementation of these recommendations already started in various ways. Action at the highest level, he added, has sent a positive message globally and manifested in ways such as the visit by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue to Washington to learn about various interfaith projects and activities.