ILDC Chaplains Conference
The 5th Annual Muslim Chaplain’s Conference (July 2-3, 2009) held in Washington D.C. was attended by chaplains with many years of experience as well as students of chaplaincy. The theme of the conference was “Chaplains as Caregivers, Mediators and Teachers”. The keynote speaker was Professor Khalid Blankinship from Temple University. His theme was “History of Islam and Chaplaincy”. He reflected upon the many centuries of Islamic history and shared some key insights along with hadith and ayahs of the Quran which support chaplains within the communities they serve. He mentioned “prison being the maximum institution and most controlled space for individuals” and tied that in with a hadith from Sahih Muslims which states “this world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the unbeliever.” He said that chaplains help “make the world better incrementally” and mentioned that the seed of chaplaincy might be of those who are mentioned in the Quran “…special groups stayed behind to teach the people….”
Other speakers were U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains Rear Admiral Robert F. Burt, US Army Chaplain Colonel Scottie Lloyd and BOP Chief of Chaplains Joseph Pryor who spoke about the need for more chaplains within their ranks to serve the Muslim community. The BOP has created an extensive outreach program with the Muslim communities in the U.S. and will need the help of chaplains and religious leaders to enlist Muslim Chaplains. Dr. Teresa Snorton from the Association of Clinical Pastoral Counseling shared her knowledge on “Is CPE is right for you?”
The Muslim Chaplain Association held a vote for the three positions of the current board and are as follows: Chair, Rabia Harris; Secretary, Shareda Hosein & Treasurer, Kamal Abu-Shamsieh. The advisory committee is Abu Ishaq Abdul Hafiz and Chaplain Abdul Rasheed Muhammad.
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Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Reaffirming Muslim-Catholic Agreement
ILDC Director Dr. Louay Safi spoke on May 2 at Sacred Heart Cathedral during an event to mark the 6th anniversary of Rochester’s Muslim-Catholic Agreement of Understanding and Cooperation. Muslim and Catholic leaders, including Bishop Matthew H. Clark, signed the agreement on May 5, 2003.
The agreement, signed on May 5, 2003, underscored a number of pledges made by the Diocese of Rochester and the Greater Rochester Council of Masajid (mosques), including the pledge to uphold freedom of speech, religion and conscience; to promote religious and ethnic tolerance; to foster mutual respect and cooperation; and to collaborate on community-outreach efforts. "The agreement of understanding and cooperation is believed to be the first of its kind to be signed by a Roman Catholic bishop and the Muslim community," argued Sister Judy Greene of St. Joseph.
During the 6th-anniversary celebration, Dr. Safi, executive director of the Leadership Development Center of the Islamic Society of North America, and Father Francis X. Mazur, the ecumenical and interreligious officer for the Diocese of Buffalo, spoke on justice and peace.
Justice is necessary to promote peace, and it comes about through the respect of human dignity, said Safi. Stressing that justice is considered in the Qur’an to stand at the foundation of life and faith, he pointed out that the faithful is called upon to exercise in relations to both friends and enemies. "We have a duty as people of faith to really try to translate what we believe in into actions, relations, and institutions," he said.
He urged the audience to consider the peaceful experience among religious groups in the U.S. to be a model for other religiously diverse societies around the globe. Ultimately, the United States’ interfaith community has the opportunity to show the rest of the world how the system of justice can be based upon respect for the rights of others, he said.
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Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Leading with Compassion Workshops
Leading with Compassion Workshop series is designed to help imams, educators, community leaders, and volunteers develop cutting-edge knowledge and skills to be able to organize their communities effectively in the best Islamic traditions. By the end of the training, participants will be able to communicate effectively, deal confidently with conflict, and develop vision and priorities as well as the practical knowledge and skills they need for implementation. Participants will also learn what it takes to inspire others to get involved in community life, and to reach out to the public and meet the many challenges facing the American Muslim community.
Leaders are individuals who make a difference in the life of their community by advancing the common good. To lead is to take responsibility for improving your life and the lives of people around you. Anyone who chooses to respond to community needs and do something about the challenges facing his or her community is indeed a community leader. Leadership, though, is not merely a choice, but also involves a continuous endeavor to build character and improve skills.
This is why we developed the Leading with Compassion Workshops. It is an intensive two-day, multi-weekends workshop designed to help you develop better understanding of the nature of the challenges facing the Muslim community, and to acquire the knowledge needed to lead your community effectively. The Leading with Compassion Workshop series is the flagship program of ISNA Leadership Development Center (ILDC). Participants are provided with training tailored to meet the needs of the North American Muslim community, with a comprehensive package that includes a resource book, a work book, online courses, and case studies and exercises designed to help participants master the concepts and learned skills.The Workshop offers leadership development, communication, conflict management, strategic planning, team building, time and event management, and other workshops geared at developing leadership attitude and skills.
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Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009
Action Alert
(March 9, 2009) The Islamic Society of North American is deeply concerned
about the recent vote in Oklahoma lower house to ban the use of head cover for
driver’s license photos, and believes that such move violate the civil rights of
Muslims. The Oklahoma state Senate is considering a bill that has already passed
the Oklahoma state House, HB1645, which is intended to amend the present law to
prohibit Oklahomans from wearing head scarves or other coverings in driver’s
license photographs. If passed, the law will violate the religious and
constitutional rights of Oklahomans Muslim women who are required by their faith
to cover their heads in public.
Full story click here:
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Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009
An Open Letter to the Leaders of American Muslim Communities
By Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali
Executive Director, ADAMS
Center
Vice-President, The Islamic Society of North America
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is saddened and shocked by the
news of the loss of one of our respected sisters, Aasiya Hassan whose life was
taken violently. To God we belong and to Him we return (Qur’an 2:156). We pray
that she find peace in God’s infinite Mercy, and our prayers and sympathies are
with sister Aasiya’s family. Our prayers are also with the Muslim community of
Buffalo who have been devastated by the loss of their beloved sister and the
shocking nature of this incident.
The full article
Note: Under the publication tabs are study guides to download for Imams for tips on how to deal with Domestic Violence
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Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
American Muslim, Baptist Leaders Hold Groundbreaking Meeting
Leaders from the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), and the Alliance of Baptists met Jan 4-5 in Hartford, Conn. with Dr. Sayyid Syeed of the Islamic Society of North America, to begin discussions on ways Baptist and Muslims can speak, share and learn from each other as we seek to fulfill Paul's admonition in Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
Members of the taskforce to plan the dialogue include: Rev. Erica Wimber Avena and Rev. Hopeton Scott of Connecticut, Rev. Paul Eppinger of Arizona and Rev. Roy Medley - American Baptists; Dr. Rob Sellers - CBF, Rev. Stan Hastey - Alliance of Baptists, and Rev. Alan Stanford - North American Baptist Fellowship.
"As a result of these consultations, hopefully Muslims around the world will realize that many Baptists want to listen to, learn from, and build friendships with them," said Dr. Robert Sellers, professor at the Logsdon School of Theology in Abilene, Tex. "Moreover, Baptists may also be reminded that dialogue and cooperation across religious lines are not only prudent actions in our fractured world, but also reflect the very nature of Jesus, who came into our context with compassion, gentleness, and a desire to understand us."
The initiative for this effort came from visits last year by Roy Medley, general secretary of ABCUSA, to Lebanon and the Republic of Georgia. In each place, Medley was urged by both Baptist and Muslim leaders of those countries to seek to improve relationships between the two faiths. The ABC Committee on Christian Unity eagerly accepted the challenge and offered an invitation to other Baptists to join in.
"We enter into these dialogues as fully committed disciples of Jesus," said Medley, "understanding that so much of the peace of the world depends upon how Muslims, Christians, and Jews are able to live together with mutual respect and a common commitment to the well-being of all.”
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Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009
4th Annual Muslim Chaplains Conference
The 2008 Muslim Chaplain's Conference was held on August 27 – 28, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The event opened just before the 45th Annual ISNA Convention. This year’s theme was “Building Professional and Leadership Capacity.” The conference began with a half day program consisting of lectures and presentations by renowned speakers in the field of chaplaincy. The conference was kicked off with opening remarks from the ILDC Executive Director, Louay Safi. Dr. Safi urged Muslim chaplains to seek opportunities to develop themselves professionally, reminding everyone of the important role that chaplains have in promotion of religious dialogue in America's greatest institutions. He also stressed the importance of leadership that chaplains have in the greater community, reminding us that chaplains are the face of the Muslim community.
The first session entitled "Recruiting, Training and Sustaining Muslim Chaplains" featured insightful, motivational and educational presentations by Khalid Latif, Director/Chaplain Islamic Center at NYU, Chaplain Bilal Ansari and C. George Fitzgerald, Director of Spiritual Care Service at Stanford Hospital and 
Clinics. The session focused on ways and means to improve professional capacity of Muslim chaplains by leading in unprecedented work environment settings such as universities and hospitals. This session encouraged chaplains to learn from those successful models of other faith groups and exchange personal unique experiences with each other for collective support. A commitment to building a professional Muslim chaplaincy association was introduced as a foundational goal in sustaining professional and leadership capacity.
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Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Behind the Blindfold of Justice
ILDC Executive Director Louay Safi spoke on March 25, 2008, on the issue of Balancing National Security with Civil Liberty, at Yale University. Dr. Safi’s statement was part of a panel discussion organized by the Council on Middle East Studies at the Macmillan Center under the title “Behind the Blindfold of Justice: Security, Individual Rights, & Minority Communities after 9/11.”
Panelist included Valerie Caproni, the General Counsel of the FBI from the office of the General Counsel, FBI, Washington, DC; Reva b. Siegel, Nicholas Deb. Katzenbach Professor of Law and associate dean of Yale law school; Jack m. Balkin, Knight Professor of constitutional law & the first amendment, Yale Law School; and Beverly Gage, assistant professor of history, Yale University.
The discussion focused on the impact of security measures enacted in the wake of 9/11 attacks on civil liberties and individual privacy. Dr. Safi stressed that national security is one of the highest priorities of the federal government, and that Americans expect their leaders to give it the importance it deserves. He argued, however, that national security must be balanced against civil liberties, and highlighted several excesses by federal agencies. He discussed the use of the National Security Letters, among other examples, of excessive use of investigative and surveillance powers beyond the constitutional limitations.
“A National Security Letter,” Dr. Safi pointed out, “is an administrative subpoena issued by the FBI.” “Under the Patriot Act,” he continued, “the FBI can compel US citizens and residents to surrender information in their position, even if they are not suspects in criminal investigation.” He argued that the practice violates the 4th Amendment because it sidesteps the requirement of judicial oversight, and give the executive branch unrestricted powers. “Judicial oversight,” he contended, “must constitute the dividing line that demarcates when national security concerns ends and civil liberties starts.”
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Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008
Combating Islamophobia in Milwaukee
ILDC executive director spoke on October 20, 2007 at a seminar addressing the issue of Islamophobia, organized by Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin and the Islamic Center of Milwaukee. The program, entitled “Combating Islamophobia,” is part of a series of seminars on the question of Islamophobia organized throughout the month.
The seminar was attended by educationists, university students, and members of the media and law enforcement community. The panel included, along with Louay Safi, Hussein Ibish, executive director of the Hala Maksoud Foundation for Arab-American Leadership, and Edina Lakovic, communication director with the Muslim Political Action Council (MPAC).
Dr. Safi pointed out the Islamophobia is the new face of the old tradition of Orientalism, albeit in a more crude and ugly face, as it aims at demonizing Muslims throughout the world to perpetuate hostility and war between western and Muslim countries. Islamophobes, he emphasized are the counterpart of Muslim extremists and indeed feed on their rhetoric.
Dr. Safi further stressed danger of Islamophobic discourse to both the American Muslim community and the country at large, as it undermine both the civil rights of Muslims and the credibility and long term interests of the United States. Islamophobes are keen to turn the war on terrorism into a war on Islam, and as such, he stressed, they undermine all genuine efforts that aim at effectively dealing with extremism and terrorism.
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Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2007
Cherishing Diversity, Reaching Out in Unity
The first session entitled “A Conversation on Religious Diversity and Accommodations in Chaplaincy,” featured presentations by Muhammad Shafiq. The session focused on ways and means to improve working conditions in a diverse work environment setting, and to exchange such experiences. A new guide for interfaith dialogue was also introduced and discussed.
The second session focused on “Mapping the Future, Building on Past Experiences”. Conference participants developed strategies to strengthen performance, build capacity, improve networking, and use collective resources to address issues peculiar to the Muslim prison population. Bilal Ansari and Umar Bajwa facilitated this interactive session.
The first day concluded with keynote addresses by Col Steve Moon, US Army Chief of Chaplains Office and Dr. Muneer Fareed, ISNA Secretary General. Both distinguished speakers spoke on the importance of the role of Chaplaincy within the American Muslim context.
On Thursday there was a thematic panel discussion, followed by a thematic inter-active workshop which was held to establish working standards and measure that were rigorously discussed. The day began with the first session focusing on “Leadership Development: How we can raise the bar of Islamic Chaplaincy”. Abdullah Hulwe, Rabia Harris, Mumina Kowalski and Yahya Hendi stimulated discussion on the state of Muslim chaplaincy and explored ways and means to improve the work as well as raise professional standards. This session was followed by a breakout groups to discuss in more detail proposed ideas and then report the findings to the conference.
After afternoon prayer and lunch a discussion on “Trauma Transformation in the Work Place” was conducted by Osman Ali and George Fitzgerald. Questions such how does a chaplain become a transformative agent in your workplace when faced with traumatic events such as those mentioned and where does faith fit into the human dimensions of surviving trauma were addressed by both the speakers and participants.
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Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007