Uncategorized

White House Launches “We The People”

The White House announced We the People, a new online engagement feature.  On this innovative WhiteHouse.govplatform, individuals will be able to create and sign petitions seeking action from the federal government on a range of issues. If a petition gathers enough signatures, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.   Visitors to WhiteHouse.gov can begin submitting petitions later this month.  To sign up for an alert when it launches and preview the feature, visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople.

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Intra-faith

Three Questions for American Muslims: Hussein Rashid | Muslimah Next Door

Three Questions for American Muslims: Hussein Rashid | Muslimah Next Door. The Muslim Portal at Patheos  is hosting the “Three Questions” project for the month of September in conjunction with the tenth anniversary of the terrorist acts of 9/11.  We are asking American Muslims from across the nation three simple but important questions. Click here to learn more about the project.  Hussein Rashid, an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and a writer, media personality, and consultant, offers his answers to the three questions:

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Politics

What it Means to be American: Attitudes in an Increasingly Diverse America Ten Years after 9/11

Public Religion Research – Research. Ten years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Americans believe they are more safe but have less personal freedom and that the country is less respected in the world than it was prior to September 11, 2001. A small majority (53 percent) of Americans say that today the country is safer from terrorism than it was prior to the September 11th attacks. In contrast, nearly 8-in-10 say that Americans today have less personal freedom and nearly 7-in-10 say that America is less respected in the world today than before the terrorist attacks.

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Charity

Member Spotlight: Zahra Kassam « Best Buddies Team Maria

So proud to know Zahra and her great work. Member Spotlight: Zahra Kassam « Best Buddies Team Maria. I joined Team Maria, along with ten other I-CERV volunteers (Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering).  We wanted to be part of a team of people who are passionate about making a difference in our communities, schools, and workplaces – and, we wanted to be part of an organization that shares the Muslim ethics of compassion and sharing.

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Religion

Notes and Video from “The State of Muslims in America”

Teachers from around the country attend webinar on “The State of Muslims in America” | The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University. In the contemporary context, Dr. Rashid spoke as well about the role of pop culture and media, including television sit-coms, music, and comedy (examples included the “Axis of Evil Comedy Tour” and the hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco among others), and the ways in which these have historically functioned as a normalizing force for marginalized communities in the U.S.  Participants in the webinar opened discussion about the notion of “Muslim culture” in this context, reflecting on the…

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Media Appearances

Quoted: Jewish Week on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

For Muslim Americans, A Decade Of Increasing Outreach | The Jewish Week. At the same time, Muslim Americans “are moving away from a single issue — what’s good for the Muslims — to what’s good for the communities in which they live,” said Hussein Rashid, an adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University.  They’ve become more and more involved in issues that affect the entire community, such as education, health, law enforcement and sanitation, said Rashid. Those, in turn, have led to greater contact and, in some cases, more friendships between Muslim Americans and others.

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Art

Special LIVE Performances of the Domestic Crusaders in NYC on 9-11 Weekend

Special LIVE Performances of the Domestic Crusaders in NYC on 9-11 Weekend. The award-winning two-act play written by Muslim American writer Wajahat Ali is returning to NYC for a special performance commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Audiences will have a unique and rare opportunity to share a day in the life of a modern Muslim Pakistani-American family of six eclectic, unique members, who convene at the family house to celebrate the twenty-first birthday of the youngest child.

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Events

Event: Houston, September 15, 2011

MFAH | Artful Thursday: High Notes – Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Up to thirty percent of the slaves brought to the United States from Africa were Muslim. They spoke and wrote Arabic, and carried a rich musical tradition. Centuries’ worth of Muslim instrumental and singing traditions were combined with those of other cultures encountered in the United States, eventually forming blues, jazz, rock, and hip-hop—uniquely American musical genres.

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