ING REPORT

Transcription

1 Islamic Networks Group (ING) ING REPORT Program Service Accomplishments Dr. Henry Millstein, Programs Manager

2 ING Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles... 2 Background... 4 ING Celebrates 22 Years of Community Service ING Presentations and Panels for School Grades ING Professional Development Workshops for K-12 School Districts ING Presentations for Colleges and Universities ING Presentations for Healthcare Facilities ING Presentations for Civic and Community Organizations ING Presentations for Faith-Based Organizations ING Presentations for Corporations ING Presentations for Law Enforcement Agencies ING Speakers Training Workshops INGYouth Workshops, Financial Statement.. 27 Roster of ING Officers and Board Members ING Board of Trustees ING Board of Directors Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 1

3 ING VISION, MISSION, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES VISION A world in which people of all religious backgrounds are understood, respected, and their contributions valued, and in which American Muslim communities play a vital role in promoting values of inclusion and coexistence. MISSION In pursuit of this vision, ING's mission is to counter prejudice and discrimination against American Muslims by teaching about their traditions and contributions in the context of America s history and cultural diversity, while building relations between American Muslims and other groups. ING emphasizes the importance of countering all forms of bigotry while working within the framework of the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom and pluralism. Founded in 1993, ING achieves its mission through education and community engagement. We work though regional volunteers and affiliated organizations across the country who provide thousands of presentations, training seminars and workshops, and panel discussions annually in schools, colleges and universities, law enforcement agencies, corporations, healthcare facilities, and community organizations as part of cultural diversity curricula and programs. Reaching hundreds of groups and tens of thousands of individuals a year at the grassroots level, ING is building bridges among people of all backgrounds. GUIDING PRINCIPLES ING programs are based on the following principles: We believe in adhering to the highest standard of professionalism in the operation of our organization, striving for full accountability and transparency. We believe that a deeper understanding of different religions and cultures contributes to peace and harmony in the world. We believe that diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and ideologies contributes to personal enrichment and social strength. We interact with people based on the belief that they are good, decent, and honest human beings, and we respect their diverse beliefs and practices. We emphasize face-to-face interaction with our audiences as an effective way to overcome stereotypes and prejudice and build bridges of understanding and friendship. We strive to build long-term, honest, and intimate relationships with individuals and institutions by meeting their needs and expectations, valuing their feedback, and delivering top-quality products and services, based on scholarship. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of behavior and character, including good manners, kindness, sincerity, integrity, authenticity, generosity, and a dedication to continuous learning and growth. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 2

4 We subscribe to the principles expressed in the religious clauses of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; our products and services are therefore academic, informative, objective, neutral, but never devotional in nature. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 3

5 BACKGROUND ING PROGRAMS Islamic Speakers Bureau Initiated in 1993, ING s original core program, the Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB), provides trained speakers on Muslims and various aspects of their faith and life, using professionally prepared content that conforms to First Amendment Center guidelines. Our speakers, all American Muslims, present to schools, colleges, community organizations, religious groups, and other venues. The ISB offers the following presentations: Exploring Muslim Traditions and Practices: Designed for middle school classes in world history and geography, this presentation teaches students about Muslim traditions and practices in relation to other world religions. Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith: This presentation begins with basic terminology and the demographics of Muslims in the United States and the world, describes the major beliefs and practices of Islam, including major Muslim holidays, and expands on the faith s principal theological teachings, including its relation to Judaism and Christianity. It also addresses common misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. History of Muslims in the United States: Most Americans are unaware of the long history of Muslims in the United States. This presentation remedies that lack, depicting the substantial, documented presence of Muslims among enslaved Africans in the Americas, describing both the successive waves of immigration that have brought Muslims to our country from the 19th century on and the rediscovery of Islam among African Americans in the 20th century, and highlighting notable American Muslims today. Muslim Contributions to Civilization: Muslims have had a major and creative impact on world civilization. Particularly during the medieval Golden Age of Islam, Muslims in many lands made major contributions in diverse fields, including art, architecture, music, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and even cuisine, clothing, and furniture. This presentation shows how the Muslim world has related to, influenced, and interacted with other cultures from its beginning. Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes: The role of Muslim women and Islam s view of women is one of the most widely misunderstood and misrepresented aspects of the religion and its practitioners. This presentation discusses the present status of Muslim women around the world and describes Qur anic and prophetic teachings about the role and responsibilities of Muslim women, including the different roles that women play in Muslim life. It also includes a description of notable Muslim women from the founding of Islam until the present and information about contemporary American Muslim women. All ING presentations include ample time for question and answer with the speaker. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 4

6 Interfaith Speakers Bureau Initiated in 2007, the Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB) is both a natural outgrowth of the interfaith friendships and connections the organization has built in the course of its work and recognition that the acceptance of Islam and Muslims is intimately related to the degree to which our society accepts and welcomes cultural and religious diversity and pluralism in general. The Interfaith Speakers Bureau extends ING s outreach efforts to build bridges among religious communities and enhance religious literacy and mutual respect. By leveraging the success of the Islamic Speakers Bureau and through partnerships with over 50 Bay Area interfaith organizations, ING can provide schools, colleges, universities, and other organizations with onsite interfaith speaker panels that represent multiple religions. Every panel includes a Muslim presenter with one or more speakers representing Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, or Hinduism. The student and adult audiences enjoy the interactive dialogue and especially the opportunity to ask the panelists candid questions about their faiths. The Interfaith Speakers Bureau offers two major types of panels. Requesters can choose the Five Faith Panel and select from one of the following topics: Shared Values: Religions and cultures differ, but all the major world religions share key values. In this panel discussion, panelists discuss the human and ethical values they share with one another. This panel illustrates the possibility, and indeed the necessity, for diverse religions to join together in a common effort for a more harmonious and peaceful world. Living the Faith: How do adherents of different religions implement and live their beliefs, practices, and values in the busy life they lead in the San Francisco Bay area? In this panel discussion, panelists answer this question, drawing on their understanding and experiences living in this region. Among the topics addressed are how religions influence everyday life, how people make room in their daily schedule for the demands of their religion, and how they negotiate possible tensions between religious practice and their working and living environment. Separation of Church and State: The relations between religious institutions and state power have been a source of controversy and conflict throughout human history. In this panel discussion, panelists discuss the different ways that their religious community has interacted with the state in history and in today s world, demonstrating that all traditions can respect the independence and impartiality of government and that a secular state need not be a threat to religion. Religion and Modernity: The modern world is widely believed to pose unique challenges to traditional religions. Science can be viewed as threatening religious conceptions of the universe, while the emergence of new ideals and values may challenge traditional values and principles. Increasing communication and cooperation among people of diverse cultures and traditions may call into question the preservation of distinct cultural and religious traditions. In this panel discussion, representatives of major world religions address how their religion interacts with modernity. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 5

7 Religion and Pluralism: How do different religions view the beliefs and practices of other traditions? Is adherence to one religious tradition compatible with respect for the many other religious traditions and convictions in our world? In this panel discussion, representatives of the major world religions address these questions and explain how each of their traditions is able to adhere to its convictions while taking a positive and respectful stance toward the diverse beliefs of others. Religion and Environmental Concerns: Environmental degradation and climate change have become major global concerns that threaten our existence as we know it on this planet. In this panel presentation, panelists discuss their religion s teachings about conservation and environmental preservation. While environmental issues are a new concern in the form they present themselves today, religious traditions have long addressed the question of how humanity relates to and interacts with the environment. Religion and Extremism: Various forms of fundamentalism and extremism pose a problem in all religious traditions and communities. In this panel presentation, panelists discuss the forms that extremism and fundamentalism take in their traditions and how their communities meet the challenge posed by such distortions of their beliefs. Requesters can also choose the Muslim-Jewish Panel, titled Jewish-Muslim Relations in the U.S.: In the Shadow of the Middle East Conflict. The purpose of this panel is to change the paradigm of Jewish-Muslim American conversations away from the Middle East conflict towards common interests as Americans, addressing topics such as anti-semitism and Islamophobia and maintaining a religious identity as two of the largest religious minorities in the country. ING s interfaith work is now taking on a new dimension, bringing together people of different faiths together for service as well as conversation. The IFSB regularly organizes interfaith service projects at various locations throughout the Bay area in cooperation with a number of social service agencies, both secular and faith-based. Cultural Diversity Seminars Initiated in 1995, this program offers professional development seminars with a focus on American Muslims to meet the need for diversity education and cultural competency skills development. Seminars are especially designed for executives, administrators, managers, and educators. In the face of growing negative perceptions about Muslims, as evidenced in a recent survey by Pew Research that shows that Americans feel more coldly to Muslims than to members of any other religious group, our diversity seminars address contemporary issues and the need for education to eradicate harmful stereotypes, providing culturally competent services that improve the quality of life for American Muslims. ING offers the following seminars: Developing Cultural Competency: Working with American Muslim Communities: This seminar is designed for police chiefs, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants; senior detectives, investigators Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 6

8 and staff; sheriffs and deputy sheriffs; and other law enforcement administrators and leaders. It begins with a discussion of common stereotypes about Muslims and their faith and the impact of such perceptions in a post-9/11 environment, followed by an overview of Muslim demographics, practices, and traditions and of pertinent contemporary issues and their implications for law enforcement work. It addresses protocols for interaction with both individuals and community institutions and provides law enforcement leaders an opportunity to share their policies and experiences interacting with Muslim members of the community. The seminar ends with a discussion of opportunities for cooperation. Developing Cultural Competency: American Muslims in the Workplace: This seminar is designed for corporate executives, human resources managers, diversity professionals, and other key department directors and leaders. It begins with a conversation about common stereotypes and other barriers faced by Muslims in the workplace, followed by an overview of Muslim traditions and practices, including those that specifically impact Muslim employees on the job. The seminar provides tips and strategies for preventing discrimination and steps towards building an inclusive and productive work environment where all employees can perform their best. Managers have the opportunity to share their current policies and assess how their departments are accommodating cultural diversity needs. Developing Cultural Competency: Healthcare for the Muslim Patient: This seminar is designed for hospital and healthcare executives and administrators; medical directors, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare service leaders; and deans, department chairs, and faculty in medical and nursing schools. It provides healthcare professionals with the information and skills to enhance their healthcare delivery to Muslim patients. After an overview of terminology, beliefs and practices, and demographics, topics include Islamic perspectives on illness and healthcare, family systems, decision-making processes, dress codes, privacy and gender issues, dietary guidelines, women s healthcare, including reproductive issues and labor and delivery, Islamic views on death and dying and end-of-life issues, emergency treatment, life support, terminal illness, and palliative care. Participants are encouraged to share their current policies and experiences caring for Muslim patients. ING also offers a seminar specifically designed for mental health professionals. Understanding Muslim Students: Fostering an Inclusive Environment: This seminar is designed for K-12 school district administrators and staff, K-12 teachers and higher education faculty, college professors, deans and department chairs in colleges and schools of education, and preservice teachers. It begins with a discussion of common stereotypes of Muslims and the sources of those stereotypes, followed by an overview of Muslim traditions and practices and relevant contemporary issues and their implications for Muslim students. It covers federal laws and education codes pertaining to teaching about religion, addresses the topic of religious practice in the public school system, and provides suggestions for accommodations for students religious practices. It concludes with tips for interacting with Muslim students in a post-9/11 environment while ensuring an inclusive and safe learning environment for all students. Educators and administrators have an opportunity to share their experiences teaching in today s diverse classrooms. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 7

9 Online Curriculum Initiated in 2012, the program makes ING content available online to educators in middle and high schools and colleges and universities. This is designed particularly to serve communities outside areas where ING and its affiliates can provide live speakers. ING s online curriculum currently includes four of its most popular digital presentations related to teaching about Muslims and their faith: Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, A History of Muslims in America, Muslim Contributions to Civilization, and Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes. We also provide two of our multifaith panel presentations: Shared Values and Living the Faith, which address these topics as they relate to five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We are about to release a curriculum package on Emir Abdelkader, a leader of the resistance to the nineteenth-century French conquest of Algeria who became a leading spokesman for interfaith and intercultural understanding. Also in preparation is a curriculum package on Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a Muslim disciple of Gandhi in the non-violent struggle for Indian independence. Each curriculum includes several lesson plans with slides and scripts. Each lesson includes notes that describe each slide in the presentation, discussion questions, and suggestions for other learning activities, with links to films and discussion questions about the films. Each lesson concludes with references and suggested resources for both teachers and students. Two additional curriculum resources focus particularly on clearing up misunderstandings and misconceptions about Islam: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Muslims and A Closer Look at Sharia in the United States. These curricula are designed to be used either jointly or independently, depending on the time available and the desired focus of the teacher. INGYouth The goal of the INGYouth Program is to increase young American Muslims Islamic literacy to help them respond to frequently asked questions about Islam, as well as to prevent extremism which is often based on ignorance of authentic religious teachings; build confidence in their Islamic identities based on a sound understanding of their faith; and inspire action towards bridge-building between American Muslims and people of other faiths, or those with no faith. To this end, starting in 2014, ING has offered INGYouth workshops, day-long events in which young people review the basics of their faith and practice answering questions about it with one another. Evaluations of participants show that these workshops result in increased confidence in students ability to talk about their faith with their peers. ING also provides a variety of resources for youth on its website, including resources to support work against bullying. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 8

10 Affiliates Initiated in 2000, this program encourages and supports the formation of affiliates around the country, providing them with materials and training that enable them to reproduce ING s programs in their local area. ING now has 19 affiliates in 16 states and one Canadian province. ING affiliates use ING content and adhere to the same professional standards as the parent organization in their speaker training and certification and the conduct of their presentations. All affiliates embrace the mission, values, and principles of ING. The goal of the affiliate program is to extend the reach of ING across the country. The issues of Islamophobia and of intercultural and interreligious understanding that ING addresses are, of course, national (and international) in scope and in fact in many areas more pressing than in the San Francisco Bay region in which ING was founded. Through ING s affiliates, the organization serves the Muslim and multi-faith communities throughout the United States. ING affiliates normally begin by developing an Islamic Speakers Bureau. Several affiliates are now moving towards establishing Interfaith Speakers Bureaus also. ING STANDARDS Speaker Training and Certification ING speakers in both the Islamic and Interfaith Speakers Bureaus are certified after a rigorous process of professional development, testing, and observation in a live setting by ING staff and veteran speakers. When presenting, ING speakers adhere to the First Amendment Center guidelines developed by legal scholar Dr. Charles C. Haynes. (For more information on the Center, go to These guidelines emphasize that speakers must adhere to the highest level of academic neutrality and objectivity when teaching about religion. All ING speakers are required to be active practitioners of the religion they represent and must belong to a congregation or community of that religion. They must agree to ING s standards of professionalism and objectivity whenever speaking for the organization and are expected to follow ING content and scripts in their presentations. The ING speaker training process for both ISB and IFSB begins with an introductory session presenting the ING mission and principles, the basics of ING presentations and content, the requirements for ING speakers, and the steps to be taken leading to certification. Prospective ISB speakers must take an open book test at the conclusion of the day s training and must pass with a grade of 85% or better to continue in the training process. They then receive a speaker s kit with the content for the two most popular ISB presentations, Exploring Muslim Traditions and Practices and Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith. Within the school semester in which they take the initial training, they must take a closed-book written exam evaluating their knowledge of presentation content and of the style of presentation appropriate for an American teenage audience. This exam must also be passed with a grade of 85% or better. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 9

11 ISB trainees then deliver a test presentation to an audience of veteran speakers, who evaluate both the trainee s knowledge of content and his or her demeanor and style as a speaker. This evaluation must be passed with a grade of 90% or better from all the evaluators. Prospective IFSB speakers, if they wish to continue in training after the initial session, receive the IFSB panelist s kit, containing both ING s principles and the content for all IFSB presentations for the five religions represented. Within the school semester in which they take the initial session, they must pass an open-book exam on ING principles and on the content for their religion with a grade of 85% or better. They must attend at least one IFSB presentation. They then deliver a test presentation to ING staff and speakers and must pass with a grade of 90% or better. ING speakers are regularly audited and evaluated by ING staff and must renew their certification every two years. ING organizes several speakers meetings each year to allow speakers to review their work and pursue further education in the content of their presentations. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 10

12 Content As noted above, ING has a variety of standard presentations. Content for these presentations is developed by the ING Content Department. ING content is designed to supplement content standards in social studies and world history and addresses many of the themes developed by the National Council for the Social Studies Curriculum Standards and the National Center for History in the Schools at UCLA. Many of these themes are also addressed in state social studies content standards of leading states, California, Texas, and New York. (All states now require instruction in major world religions as part of their history and social studies standards.) ING content is also designed to meet Federal, state, and corporate mandates on cultural diversity training. All ING content is drafted by or in consultation with recognized academic scholars in the religion in question. These scholars include: Ameena Jandali, M.A., Near Eastern Studies, University of California, Berkeley Maha Elgenaidi, M.A., Religious Studies, Stanford University Dustin Craun, M.A., Ethnic Studies, San Francisco State University Justin van Boom, Ph.D. candidate, European History and Religious Studies, University of California, Berkeley and Graduate Theological Union Haroon Moghul, Ph.D. candidate, Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies, Columbia University; Fellow in Muslim Politics and Societies, Center for National Security, Fordham Law School Dr. Kristy Coleman, Ph.D., Religion and Culture, Claremont Graduate School Dr. Henry Millstein, Ph.D., Jewish Studies, University of California, Berkeley and Graduate Theological Union Venerable JianHu Shifu, Abbot, Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale The Rev. Dr. D. Andrew Kille, Ph.D., Biblical Studies, Graduate Theological Union Dr. Karnamadakala Sreeharsha, San Jose State University (deceased) Dr. Jim Ryan, California Institute of Integral Studies Rabbi H. David Teitelbaum, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Jacob Rabbi Joshua M. Berkenwald, Congregation Sinai For ING cultural diversity training in corporations, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities, professionals in those fields contribute to content development. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 11

13 ING CELEBRATES 22 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE During the past 22 years, we have seen an increased awareness about Islam and Muslims in the United States. From the Gulf War in 1991 to the tragic events of September 11th and subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the image of Islam and Muslims, which is often associated with these events by the media, is often not representative of the true nature of Islam or its practitioners. In order to provide a more balanced perspective, ING has spent 22 years providing valuable educational programs and resources, including onsite presentations about Muslims and their faith. Our goal is to eliminate stereotypes, dispel myths, and increase religious literacy while fostering mutual respect among people of all faiths and none. The Interfaith Speakers Bureau expands these efforts by teaching about the five major world religions through interactive panels that discuss the commonalities and practices of each faith. Since 1993, ING's educational outreach efforts have had a positive impact in diverse venues both locally and nationally. ING s accomplishments are evidenced locally in the San Francisco Bay Area, home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the nation, as well as nationally, through the Islamic Speaker Bureau program which is implemented by our affiliates throughout the country. Learn about the positive impact that ING presentations and panels have had on students by reading a sampling of testimonials and see a complete two-year impact report, including statistics on attitude changes as a result of ING presentations, at ING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ING PRESENTATIONS AND INTERFAITH PANELS FOR SCHOOL GRADES In the calendar year 2013, ING visited 60 schools in the following areas: 20 schools in Santa Clara County 20 in Alameda County 5 in San Francisco County 4 in San Mateo County 4 in Contra Costa County 3 in Sonoma County 1 in Marin County 1 in Santa Cruz County 2 out-of-state via webinar. In these 60 schools, ING presented to a total of 272 classes. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 12

14 In the calendar year 2014, ING visited 61 schools in the following areas: 17 schools in Santa Clara County 16 in Alameda County 10 in San Mateo County 6 in San Francisco County 6 in Contra Costa County 3 in Sonoma County 1 in Marin County 2 out-of-state via webinar. In these 61 schools, ING presented to a total of 280 classes. ING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS In the calendar year 2013, ING presented two workshops for educators: March August o Living the Faith & Shared Values, Fremont Unified School District, Fremont, CA o Understanding Muslim Students: Fostering an Inclusive Environment, Fremont Unified School District, Fremont, CA In the calendar year 2014, ING presented one workshop for educators: April o Understanding Muslim Students: Fostering an Inclusive Environment, Wachusett School District, Holden, MA (via webinar) Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 13

15 ING PRESENTATIONS FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES In the calendar year 2013, ING made the following presentations at institutions of higher education: January February March April May o Experiential Environmental Education in Islamic Schools, Zaytuna College, Berkeley, CA o Interfaith Discussion on Jerusalem, Stanford Hillel, Palo Alto, CA o Shared Values, San Francisco City College, San Francisco, CA o Reel Muslims and Jews: Representation of Jews and Muslims in American Media, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA o Shared Values, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN (via webinar) o Jewish-Muslim Relations in the U.S.: In the Shadow of the Middle East Conflict, San Jose State University Muslim Student Association, San Jose, CA o Koran by Heart, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA o Interfaith Holi Festival, St. Mary s College, Moraga, CA o Muslim Women in the U.S. and Around the World, Las Positas College, Livermore, CA o Living the Faith, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA o Muslim Contributions to Civilization, Las Positas College, Livermore, CA o A Muslim View of Violence Against Women, Stanford University, Stanford, CA o History of Muslims in the United States, Las Positas College, Livermore, CA o Interfaith Panel on Death and Dying, Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA o Muslim Women in the U.S. and Around the World, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO (via webinar) o History of Muslims in the United States, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 14

16 September October November o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA o Living the Faith, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA o Living the Faith, Menlo College, Atherton, CA o History of ING, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA o Muslim Contributions to Civilization, San Francisco City College, San Francisco, CA In the calendar year 2014, ING made the following presentations at institutions of higher education: January February March April o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, CA o Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA o Living the Faith, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA o Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA o Shared Values, Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA o Muslim Contributions to Civilization, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA o Islam, ING, and the Environment, Center for Islamic Studies, Berkeley, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 15

17 May o Interfaith Holi Festival, St. Mary s College, Moraga, CA September October November o Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA o Shared Values, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA o Contemporary Issues: Religion and the Environment, Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA o Shared Values, University of Florida Interfaith Ambassadors, Gainesville, FL o Contemporary Issues: Pluralism, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, CA o History of ING, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA o The State of Syria, Stanford Muslim Students Awareness Network, Stanford, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Holy Names University, Oakland, CA o Living the Faith, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA o Living the Faith, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA o ISIS and Ice Cream, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 16

18 ING PRESENTATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES In the calendar year 2013, ING made the following presentations to healthcare professionals: March September October November December o Cultural Competency for Mental Health Care Professionals, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (via webinar) o Spiritual Diversity Panel, Hope Hospice, Dublin, CA o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, VITAS San Francisco Bay Program, Milpitas, CA o Women s Health in the Muslim Community, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley, CA In the calendar year 2014, ING made the following presentations to healthcare professionals: February o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, John Muir Health, Concord, CA March o Spiritual Diversity Panel, Hope Hospice, Dublin, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 17

19 July o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley, CA o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, Chaplaincy Institute, Berkeley, CA October November o Spiritual Diversity Panel, Hope Hospice, Dublin, CA o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley, CA o Healthcare for the Muslim Patient, St. Joseph s Medical Center, Stockton, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 18

20 ING PRESENTATIONS FOR CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS In the calendar year 2013, ING made the following presentations to civic and community groups: January February March September November December o About ING, Our Muslim Neighbor (radio interview) o Day of Remembrance: Connecting American Muslim and Japanese-American Communities, San Jose Taiko, San Jose, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Campbell Rotary Club, Campbell, CA o Living the Faith, Contra Costa Social Workers, Pleasant Hill, CA o President s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge Bay Area Forum, Moraga, CA o Combating Bias Against Muslims, Congressman Don Edwards Inns of Court, San Jose, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Corte Madera Lions Club, Corte Madera, CA o Social Justice for Muslims Post-9/11, Public Allies Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA o Multi-faith Peace Picnic, American Muslim Voice, Palo Alto, CA o Inspired by Malala: Muslim Women Discuss Activism, Community, and Islamophobia, International Museum of Women, San Francisco, CA o Getting to Know American Muslim Women, San Ramon Library, San Ramon, CA o Anti-Bullying Talk, Open Youth Forum, Milpitas, CA o Challenging Islamophobia, San Francisco Islamic School, San Francisco, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 19

21 In the calendar year 2014, ING made the following presentations to civic and community groups: February April May June July September o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Rotary Club of Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale, CA o Caste, Cows, and Curriculum: What your Children Are Learning about your Culture, Heritage, and Religion in Schools, Hindu American Foundation, San Ramon, CA o Alumni Networking Banquet, Association for Muslim Professional Development, Berkeley, CA o Shi a and Sunni, Ends and Means Luncheon, San Francisco, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Jewish retired professionals group, San Anselmo, CA o The Tag Project Panel, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA o Symbols and Customs of Local Religions, Fremont Family Resource Center, Fremont, CA o Ramadan, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA o Anti-bullying Event, Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Hillhouse Club, San Francisco, CA o Peace Picnic, American Muslim Voice, San Jose, CA o American Muslims and Social Justice, Public Allies Silicon Valley, Milpitas, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 20

22 October November o The Changemaker Who Lives Next Door, Orinda Community Center, Orinda, CA o Technology, Gaza, and Perception: A Human Response to Human Suffering, IEEE Global Technology Humanitarian Conference, San Jose, CA o Unmosqued, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Santa Clara, CA o Religion and Environmental Issues, Pacifica Institute, Sunnyvale, CA o Distinguished Muslim Women s Panel: Contemporary Perspectives on Hijab, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 21

23 ING PRESENTATIONS FOR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS In the calendar year 2013, ING made the following presentations to religious congregations and organizations: January February April May July October November o Swami Vivekananda s Legacy in Interreligious Harmony, First Unitarian Church, Oakland, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Skyland Community Church, Los Gatos, CA o Faith and Gender in 21st Century Pluralistic Society, San Francisco Interfaith Council, San Francisco, CA o Opening our Hearts: Interfaith Truth in Action Concluding Gathering, Hillcrest Congregational Church UCC, Pleasant Hill, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, St. John s Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Islamic Society of the East Bay, Fremont, CA o Muslim Women in the U.S. and Around the World, Episcopal Church Women, Santa Cruz, CA o Koran by Heart, Or Shalom, San Francisco, CA o Reading Each Others Scriptures, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, San Jose, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Islamic Center of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA o Judaism and Islam, Congregation Sherith Israel, San Francisco, CA o Judaism and Islam, Congregation Sherith Israel, San Francisco, CA o Interfaith Panel on Climate Change, Berkeley Buddhist Temple, Berkeley, CA o Muslim-Jewish Women s Dialogue Event, Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 22

24 o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Bay Area Satsang, San Jose, CA December o Burning Questions about Islam and Muslims, American Muslim Voice, Newark, CA In the calendar year 2014, ING made the following presentations to religious congregations and organizations: January February March April June July o Shared Values, St. Martin s Catholic Church, San Jose, CA. o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Skyland Community Church, Los Gatos, CA o World Interfaith Harmony Day, Fremont, CA o Roles and Views on Women in Islam, Temple Sinai, Oakland, CA o Current Events Affecting Muslims, St. Albert Catholic Church, Palo Alto, CA o Muhammad and Social Justice, Islamic Center of North Marin, Novato, CA o Religion and Empire, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, San Jose, CA o Getting to Know American Muslims and their Faith, Silicon Valley Progressive Faith Community, San Jose, CA o Fostering a Healthy Environment for Muslim Families, Islamic Society of North America, Dallas, TX o Creating a Just Society: Love, Compassion, and Respect for Others, Islamic Society of North America, Dallas, TX o Islam and the Environment, First Congregational Church of Bekeley, Berkeley, CA o Anti-bullying Event, Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 23

25 August o Bullying Prevention: Keeping our Children Safe and Secure, Islamic Society of North America, Detroit, MI o Truth to Power, Islamic Society of North America, Detroit, MI o Interfaith Unity Banquet, Islamic Society of North America, Detroit, MI November o Muslim-Jewish-Christian Women s Dialogue Event, Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos, CA o Beauty in Diversity: 8th Annual Leadership Banquet, Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Hartford, CT o Economic Crisis and People s Lives, Berkeley Buddhist Temple, Berkeley, CA ING PRESENTATIONS FOR CORPORATIONS In calendar year 2013, ING made the following presentation to a corporate audience: June o Shared Values, Intuit Corporation, Mountain View, CA ING PRESENTATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES In calendar year 2013, ING made the following presentation to a law enforcement agency: April o Developing Cultural Competency: Working with American Muslim Communities, American Muslim Advisory Council, Murfreesboro, TN Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 24

26 ING SPEAKERS TRAINING WORKSHOPS In the calendar year 2013, ING conducted the following training sessions and meetings for local speakers and for affiliates across the country: March o Affiliate ISB Speaker Training (via webinar) o Train the Trainers: Cultural Diversity Seminars for Law Enforcement (via webinar) o Train the Trainers: Cultural Diversity Seminars for Educators (via webinar) o Train the Trainers: Cultural Diversity Seminars for Healthcare Professionals (via webinar) April o IFSB Training for Affiliate Directors (via webinar) June o Speaker Training, Alabama ISB, Huntsville Islamic Center, Huntsville, AL o Affiliate ISB Speaker Training (via webinar) July September o IFSB Speaker Training, ING, San Jose, CA o ISB Speaker Recertification Training, ING, San Jose, CA (2 sessions) o Affiliate ISB Speaker Training (via webinar) o Affiliate Orientation to ING Advanced Presentations (via webinar) o Affiliate Orientation to ING Cultural Diversity Seminars (via webinar) In the calendar year 2014, ING conducted the following training sessions and meetings for local speakers and for affiliates across the country: January June o IFSB Speakers Retreat, Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA o Speaker Training, Colorado Muslim Speakers Bureau (via webinar) Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 25

27 September o Speaker Training, ISB-NYC (via webinar) INGYOUTH WORKSHOPS, 2014 November December o Muslim Community Center of the East Bay, Pleasanton, CA o Dayton Mercy Center, Miamisburg, OH o Islamic Center of the East Bay, Fremont, CA Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 26

28 2014 Financial Statement Total support and revenue $ 686,435 Expenses: Program services 332,372 Management and general 20,271 Fundraising 61,889 Total expenses 414,532 Net increase in net assets 271,903 Net January 01, ,472 Net December 31, 2014 $ 426,375 Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 27

29 ROSTER OF ING OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS ING BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairperson: Manal Fakhoury Manal is the President and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International. Her civic engagement includes sitting on a dozen community boards of organization and businesses that include United Voices for America, Go Red for Women, HUGS Charities, United Way, Ocala Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters, and Sun Trust. Her awards include Person of the Year, and she has been named in Ocala Magazine s Women of Influence for several years. Manal enjoys traveling and exercising and is currently working on her Midnight Blue Belt. She is also a certified hypnotherapist and executive coach. Manal earned her doctorate and bachelor s degrees in Pharmacy from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Webster University. Treasurer: Randy Pond Randy Pond is Executive Vice President at Cisco Systems, Inc., overseeing Corporate Quality, Customer Service and Operational Systems, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal Affairs, and Worldwide Manufacturing. He chairs Cisco s strategic executive councils for Business Process Operations and Business Oversight. Randy was previously vice president of finance and operations and chief financial officer at Crescendo Communications and served in finance and operations capacities for Versatec, David Systems, Xerox Corporation, Schlumberger, and Arthur Andersen. He has a bachelor s degree in accounting and economics from Ball State University in Indiana. Maha Elgenaidi Maha Elgenaidi is the founder and CEO of the organization. She is the author of training handbooks on outreach for American Muslims as well as training seminars for public institutions on developing cultural competency with the American Muslim community. A senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum and recently named by the San Jose Business Journal as one of Silicon Valley s Women of Influence, Maha has been recognized with numerous civil rights awards, including the Civil Rights Leadership Award from the California Association of Human Relations Organizations and the Citizen of the Year award from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. She earned a master s degree in Religious Studies from Stanford University, and a bachelor s degree in Political Science and Economics from the American University in Cairo. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 28

30 Shakila Ahmed Shakila is Director of Business at the Allergy & Asthma Specialty Center in West Chester, Ohio as well as President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. She also serves as Vice Chair of the YWCA Cincinnati, heading Racial Justice, and is a member of the board of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and the regional FBI multicultural task force. She is founder of the Muslim Mothers Against Violence initiative as well as the Tours & Talks Education and Outreach programs at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. Her civic engagement has included board leadership in a dozen non-profit organizations including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. She is also a member of Leadership Cincinnati and among her many awards is the Cincinnati Enquirer Professional Women to Watch Tabassum Haleem Tabassum A. Haleem is Director of Government Relations at PolyBrite International Inc,, working with federal and state officials in advocacy for LED lighting. Prior to joining PolyBrite, Ms. Haleem was President of her own audit, accounting and tax firm; Regional Controller of BMW NA; and Financial Analyst at Paramount Pictures Corp. Tabassum also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Naperville Education Foundation and the Advisory Committee for the Naperville Chamber of Commerce-Green Leadership Council. She is also a fellow of the Leadership Greater Chicago and McCormick Tribune Urban Policy Leadership and has served as a co-chair for DuPage United. She is a certified CPA and holds a master s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a bachelor s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Zehra Wamiq Zehra Wamiq is a founding member and executive director of the Delaware Valley Speakers Bureau, an ING affiliate based in Pennsylvania, serving the Greater Philadelphia area, parts of Delaware and Southern New Jersey. She has been involved in many community development projects and currently serves as co-chair on the outreach committee of Circle of Hands, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing intercultural and interfaith understanding in and around Wilmington, Delaware. She also serves as chair of the diversity committee of a Montessori School in Wilmington. Zehra has a bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. She later studied Interior Design at Delaware College of Arts and Design. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 29

31 Members at Large - Scholars (Listed in alphabetical order) Imam Tahir Anwar South Bay Islamic Association Imam Tahir Anwar is an American Muslim Imam (religious leader) who has been around Imams since the day he was born--namely his father and grandfather (his first teachers), and his two brothers, who are also both Imams in California. Born in London, Imam Tahir moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1983 and made San Jose his home. Since completing his religious studies in India, he has been serving as the Imam of one of the oldest mosques in the country, the Islamic Center of San Jose, since He is also the head of the Islamic Studies Department and a teacher at Granada Islamic School in nearby Santa Clara, an institution in its 26th year. After serving on the Human Rights Commission for the City of San Jose for over 5 years, Imam Tahir now serves on the Human Relations Commission for the County of Santa Clara. He also sits on Zaytuna College s Management Committee as well as other panels and boards. Imam Tahir has been leading a group to perform Hajj for several years, with CNN twice covering this pilgrimage. He currently resides in San Jose, California with his wife and two sons. Reza Aslan, PhD Scholar of religions and author Dr. Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions, is a contributing editor at the Daily Beast. Dr. Aslan has degrees in Religion from Santa Clara University, Harvard University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa, where he was named the Truman Capote Fellow in Fiction. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities, and the Pacific Council on International Policy. He serves on the board of directors of the Ploughshares Fund, which gives grants for peace and security issues; Abraham's Vision, an interfaith peace organization; PEN USA, which champions the rights of writers under siege around the world; and he serves on the national advisory board of the Levantine Cultural Center, building bridges between Americans and the Arab/Muslim world. Aslan's first book is the international bestseller, No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, which has been translated into thirteen languages, and named one of the 100 most important books of the last decade. He is also the author of How to Win a Cosmic War (published in paperback as Beyond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism in a Globalized Age) and of the recent bestseller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, and editor of an anthology from Norton titled Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East. Aslan is President and CEO of Aslan Media Inc, whose holdings include BoomGen Studios, a mini-motion picture and media company focused entirely on entertainment about the Greater Middle East and its Diaspora communities. Born in Iran, he now lives in Los Angeles where he is Associate Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside. Islamic Networks Group (ING), Report Page 30