Four articles of interest

I have rarely been quoted in the media, but apparently when I have, it's been decently substantive! So, with much pleasure, I'd like to share some articles where the authors either interviewed me or just asked for general comments.

1) India Currents article on thoughts after attending a Homeland Security roundtable on post-9/11 civil liberties and human rights issues.

2) PBS Newshour feature on thoughts after an Americans for Informed Democracy conference in 2006.

3) CUNY Graduate Center colleague Mr. Marriah Star's article on social entrepreneurship.

4) The Nation contributor and friend/writer/journalist Jayati Vora's piece on the youth-led movement to restore democratic rule in Pakistan.

As always, feedback much appreciated!

Arsalan Iftikhar NPR radio show on 9/11 anniversary

Friends,

Arsalan has blazed a trail as one of the great voices of the Muslim American community, not just as a representative of the Council on American Relations, but now as Contributing Editor and Columnist for Islamica Magazine.

Visit this link to hear some of his thoughts on the recent 9/11 anniversary. I wish I could post more on the event, but just havent had time. Arsalan does perfect justice to what millions would like to say, but dont have the opportunity or access to media like he does.

Here's wishing him luck and success in all endeavors he undertakes!

Hope not Hate Film festival: Revitalizing US-Middle East relations - Saturday, 9/15

Americans for Informed Democracy

&

Imagining Global Asia at The New School

PRESENT A FILM FESTIVAL

MISSION POSSIBLE:

Revitalizing US-Middle East Relations

FEATURING:

CONTROL ROOM

WHOSE CHILDREN ARE THESE?

A SON’S SACRIFICE

MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET

DISCUSSION FACILIATATORS:

HAROON MOGHUL - Contributing Editor, Islamica Magazine;

Director of Public Relations, Islamic Center at NYU

YASMIN HAMIDI – Network of Arab-American Professionals of New York

MUSA SYEED - Producer: A Son’s Sacrifice

THERESA THANJAN - Producer/Director: Whose Children Are These?

FATIMA ASHRAF – Community Activist

DATE: Saturday, September 15^th, 2007

TIME: 10 AM – 6 PM

VENUE: The New School

Swayduck Auditorium - Room F-102

65 Fifth Avenue (between 13^th and 14^th streets)

Light refreshments will be served throughout the day!

More info and RSVP at: http://www.aidemocracy.org/hnhfilm.php

Newsweek feature(s): Islam in USA

More to be written about this later, but meanwhile, check it out - hot off the presses!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032542/site/newsweek

On the Pew Center's recent study on American Muslims...

The folks at Pew must be commended for a survey/poll that recently came out on American Muslims. While it may have been long overdue - at least it was done! The results were pleasantly refreshing, too. But I wont bore you with repetitions, and instead, draw your attention to an interesting article that speaks to the phenomenon of why news regarding Muslims is always negative - even when there is good news (such as in the results of the poll)!

Read on over here...

NY Event: Council on American Islamic Relations - NY Chapter Annual Banquet - 5/5

SAVE THE DATE!

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS - NY CHAPTER

Cordially Invites you to its Annual Banquet

Freedom of Speech EMPOWERING the Muslim Voice

Saturday May 5, 2007

Manhattan Center Studios – The Grand Ballroom

311 West 34^th Street New York, NY 10001

Key Note Speaker:

Reza Aslan

Author of “No god but God” and Middle East Analyst

Special Guest Speaker:

Merve Kavacki

Former Member of Turkish Parliament

Dr. Parvez Ahmed

Chairman of Board, CAIR National

Azhar Usman

Muslim Comedian

And other prominent guests!

Registration: 7:45PM

Dinner & Program: 8PM

Tickets Reservations

$100 for Adults Reserve in advance

$50 for Students Contact: fali@cair.com

475 Riverside Drive , New York, N.Y. 10115, Suite 246

212.870.2002(p) 212. 870.2020(f)

www.cair-ny.org

The Sixth Annual CIR Conference at Yale - 4/14

The Sixth Annual CIR Conference at Yale
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Hermeneutics and the Future of Islam in America

Linsly-Chittenden Hall, Yale University
Conference Schedule
8:00 - 9:15am Registration; Breakfast & Coffee
9:15 - 9:30am Welcome
9:30 - 11:30am Panel 1: Hermeneutics: Texts and Society
Response: Zareena Grewal; Moderator: Homayra Ziad

Juliane Hammer, "Hermeneutics, Identity & Society:
American Women's Approaches to the Qur'an"
Martin Nguyen, "Hermeneutics as Translation: An
Assesment of Islamic Translation Trends in America"
Saminaz Zaman, "From Imam to Cyber-Mufti: Navigating
the Supermarket of Islamic Identities in America"
Mark Gould, "Kemal A. Faruki: an Islamist, a
Modernist"

11:30 - 11:45am Coffee Break
11:45 - 1:45pm Panel 2: Change and Continuity in Theology
and Law
Response: Yasir Qadhi; Moderator: Sayeed Rahman

Ayesha Chaudhry, "The Problems of Conscience and
Hermeneutics: A Few Contemporary Approaches"
Fareeha Khan, "Gender, Tradition and Change: Some
Reflections on the Deobandi Presence in America"
Youshaa Patel, "Tradition in Motion: Pluralizing
Islamic Law through Incorporation of Custom"
J. Ahmed, F. Ahmed, I. Syed, "From Liberal to
Liberation Theology: An Islamic Hermeneutics of Social
Justice"

1:45 - 3:00pm Lunch Break and Dhuhr Prayers
3:00 - 5:00pm Panel 3: Case Study: Pluralism
Response: Matthew Ingalls; Moderator: Altaf Saadi

Vice Biondo, "Islam in the U.S. and Britain:
Tribalism and Pluralism"
Anas Malik, "The Case for a Minarchist Libertarian
Political Islam"
Al-Husein al-Madhany, "Pooh-Poohing Pluralism:
Ijtihading Hadith to Build a Theology of Exclusion"
Peter Wright, "Rethinking the Inimitable"

5:00 - 5:30pm Coffee Break and 'Asr Prayers
5:30 - 6:30pm Roundtable Panel Discussion, Moderator:
Mahan Mirza
6:30 - 7:30pm Keynote Address, by Ingrid Mattson,
Moderator: Mahan Mirza
7:30pm Conclusion & Maghrib Prayers