University of Georgia students of Abrahamic faith unite to fight prejudice
By Emily Erdelyan at The Red & Black
While society says to leave the topic of religion at the doorstep when being welcomed as a guest at someone’s home, this is hardly the case in the recently established religious club, the Abraham Alliance.
The name of the club is inspired directly by its purpose, which is to “facilitate inter-religious dialogue and education” between students of the Abrahamic faiths and “replace ignorance and hatred with true appreciation for the diversity this campus offers,” according to the organization’s statement of purpose.
“Our generation has grown up in the shadow of 9/11 and the [war on terrorism], which have led to negative cultural stereotypes,” Kaytlin Butler, The Abraham Alliance Club President, said. “If we leave this campus with those same stereotypes, then we failed as a community.”
While texts from Christian, Jewish and Muslim scriptures are central to some club activities, the club is non-exclusive and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. The club holds holy book studies once or twice a month in the Tate Student Center.
“The holy book studies open people’s eyes to different religious views and allow them to find things they have in common with other students that they may have been unaware of,” Vice President Anna Beth Havenar said. “Conversations start between people that usually wouldn’t interact.”
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Muslim group helps save old English synagogue
Bradfordlistedbuildings.co.uk
Source: Times of Israel
A Muslim organization in northern England announced it would raise funds and lobby for the preservation of the last remaining synagogue in Bradford.
The Bradford Council for Mosques recently began working together with the local authority to raise funds for the Bradford Synagogue, to ensure the building remains a sacred space for future generations, the Telegraph reported on March 5.
“When the chair of the Bradford synagogue approached the Muslim community for help and assistance towards the maintenance of this building, it was a challenge which didn’t take us long to decide on,” Zulfi Karim, secretary of Bradford Council for Mosques, said.
The building was originally founded in 1880 and is an example of Moorish Victorian Architecture.
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American diplomat offers thoughts on Journey into America
[A]s we’re about to see in Professor Ahmed’s documentary, where there is greater understanding there is not only tolerance but – even more important – there is hope.
What also comes through, from the voices of many of the Muslims he meets during his road trip, is a tangible sense that they belong to America.
Which, for me, is the essential discovery: that you can be an American and a Muslim and it diminishes neither your national nor your religious identity.
I know that this notion is at the heart of the debate taking place at the moment about multiculturalism, diversity and extremism.
To my mind, it is a possible and realistic vision.
And finding a way to strengthen the hand of those moderates who are not only comfortable, but also entirely positive, about being fully devoted to your country and your religion is the key to progress.
– Barbara J. Stephenson, Embassy London and former Ambassador to Panama – November 28, 2012
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Screening at the U.S. Embassy London tonight
The first screening as part of the One Film 9/11 interfaith initiative will take place tonight between 5:00 and 8:00pm at the U.S. Embassy in London. Unfortunately, the screening is closed to the public and open with an invitation only. However, I will be sure to report back on the event so that all can have the details.
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One Film 9/11 interfaith initiative entering new phase
First I would like to send a big thanks to all the media outlets and newspapers for publishing the recent article on Islam, the Founding Fathers and the One Film 9/11 interfaith initiative. I would also like to send my warm thanks to all those who have joined the blog and the Facebook page. Now that you’re here we need your helping in spreading the word. Feel free to invite people to the Facebook page or direct them to the blog. If you have any contacts in media, be sure to alert them as well!
One Film 9/11 has reached the world through publications in Voice of America, Huffington Post, Arab News, Alhurra, The Frontier Post (tribal areas of Pakistan), Bikya Masr (Egypt), Le Soir (Belgium), and Islamophobia Today. One Film 9/11 is entering a new phase which is focused on finding partners and sponsorers as well as setting up screenings and events. The next two events will be held at the U.S. Embassy in London and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. You can read more about these events HERE.
Any questions or comments about One Film 9/11 should be directed to Craig at considic@tcd.ie
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One Film 9/11 reaches the Middle East, North Africa, and Australia!
For the first time One Film 9/11 has reached the hearts and minds of Arabic speakers in the Middle East and North Africa!
Alhurra is a United States-based Arabic language outlet funded by the United States Congress which broadcasts news to the Middle East and North Africa. Its stated mission is to provide ‘objective, accurate and relevant news and information’ to its audience while seeking to ‘support democratic values’ and ‘expand the spectrum of ideas, opinions, and perspectives’ available in the region’s media.
Alhurra just wrote a review of an article I recently wrote on Islam and America’s Founding Fathers. The review should be read by many people considering that Alhurra has over 625,000 followers on Facebook and over 100,000 on Twitter.
You can find that review here.
In addition to the Alhurra review, Muslim Village also published the article, ‘Islam and America’s Founding Fathers‘. Muslim Village is one of the largest outlets reaching Muslims in Australia with over 24,000 followers on Facebook.
Related articles
- Comment on Islam, American identity, and One Film 9/11 on Huffington Post (journeyintoamericadocumentary.wordpress.com)
- Work: New One Film 9/11 article in Middle East Voices of Voice of America (craigconsidinetcd.wordpress.com)
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Press release for One Film 9/11 initiative for Journey into America (2009) film
By now many of you have heard of the propaganda film Innocence of Muslims which led to a tragedy in Benghazi and an almost-tragedy in Cairo. For better or worse, these events proved that one film can make a huge difference, which is why I want to inform you about Journey into America (2009) by Ambassador AKBAR AHMED and its subsequent initiative One Film 9/11.
Ambassador Ahmed is a scholar of contemporary Islam, a respected interfaith spokesman, and believer in the vision of America’s founding fathers. His ultimate goal is to improve the relationship between Americans and Muslims both in the U.S. and in the Muslim world. The film documents Ahmed’s team as they travelled around the U.S. for nine months to visit more than 100 mosques in cities, suburbs and towns across America. His team of students, of which I was one, explored the relationship between Americans and Islam in light of 9/11.
In Journey into America, some influential theorists had through provoking things to say about Islam and American identity. Noam Chomsky, one of the greatest critics of American society and U.S. foreign policy, said Americans have always been driven by ‘myth and ‘fear’. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, an American-born convert to Islam and leader of Zaytuna College, talked about Malcolm X and the last respected forms of racism in American society. Reverend Jessie Jackson, the civil rights campaigner alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, said Americans have to work hard at inter-ethnic relations.
Read more here.
"Journey into America" documentary 