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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230920T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230920T160000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
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SUMMARY:Partner Event: SDGs Conference 2023
DESCRIPTION:In the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)\, the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) and its 36 Global Partners from 24 countries are organizing the hybrid SDGs Conference 2023 to convene world leaders\, diplomats\, civil society members\, journalists\, and academics to discuss contemporary impediments for the timely and effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). \nThe SDGs Conference 2023\, formerly known as the UNGA Conference\, is the flagship event of the Journalists and Writers Foundation\, creating a platform for diverse stakeholders to discuss the Global Agenda 2030\, offer innovative solutions\, strategies\, and policy recommendations to advance the culture of peace\, human rights\, and sustainable development. As 2023 marks the 8th annual SDGs Conference\, this global event gathered over 150 high-level speakers across the globe\, forming an interdisciplinary group of distinguished panelists to discuss a particular set of agenda over three-panel sessions and propose a framework for action for the full and effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. \nAs a result of the diligent review of the 2022-2023 agenda items and priority working areas of diverse UN agencies and offices\, as well as world-renowned international summits\, the SDGs Conference 2023 will address: \n(1) Building a New Momentum Towards the 2030 Deadline for the SDGs\, \n(2) Press Freedom as an Instrument to Defend Human Rights for All\, and \n(3) Widening Gap between Erosion of Democracy and Rise of Autocracy. \nin the margins of the UNGA 78th Session on Wednesday\, 20 September 2023 from 10 am to 4 pm. \n[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/partner-event-sdgs-conference-2023/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230502T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230502T203000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20230417T182926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230502T030834Z
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SUMMARY:In-Person Book Talk: "Profiles in Peace"
DESCRIPTION:This new book traces the lives of Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs in Israel and Palestine who have dedicated their lives to building peaceful relations among the two peoples and between individual people who seek to live in peace and harmony with one another. These people have acted courageously and consistently in their work for peace. \nIn this book\, the author profiles the lives\, thoughts\, feelings\, and actions of six important peacebuilders — men and women\, secular and religious\, 3 Jewish Israelis: Rabbi Michael Melchior\, Professor Galia Golan\, and Mrs. Hadassah Froman; and 3 Palestinian Arabs: Professor Mohammed Dajani\, Ms. Huda Abuarquob\, and Bishop Munib Younan. \nThe reader learns about their visions for peace and their activities to bring their ideas to fruition in the real world of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Too many people have given up on peace. In contrast\, the people in this book persevere for peace\, thus keeping a flicker of hope alive for Israelis and Palestinians who live in the same land for people everywhere who continue to yearn for a peace agreement to be reached in the region. \nAlliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP) is a coalition of over 170 organizations—and tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building people-to-people cooperation\, coexistence\, equality\, shared society\, mutual understanding\, and peace among their communities. We add stability in times of crisis\, foster cooperation that increases impact\, and build an environment conducive to peace over the long term. \n\n\nAuthor\nRabbi Dr. Ron Kronish is an independent scholar\, writer\, blogger\, lecturer\, teacher\, and mentor. For several years\, he has been a Library Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. From 1991-2015\, he served as the Founder and Director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI)\, Israel’s premier interreligious institution. \nHe was educated at Brandeis University (BA)\, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion\, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is the editor of Coexistence and Reconciliation in Israel: Voices for Interreligious Dialogue (Paulist Press\, 2015) and the author of The Other Peace Process: Interreligious Dialogue\, A View from Jerusalem (Hamilton Books 2017) and Profiles in Peace: Voices of Peacebuilders in the Midst of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2022). \nHe writes a regular blog for The Times of Israel and is a contributor to The Jerusalem Report. He teaches courses about Interreligious Dialogue and Peacebuilding at the Schechter Institutes for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem\, in the Department for Adult Education\, and at the Drew University Theological School (via Zoom) in Madison\, NJ. \n\nModerator\nRabbi Gerry Serotta served as Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington from 2014 through 2020\, where he continued his work as a leading voice for interfaith cooperation\, religious freedom\, and human rights. He is the founding rabbi of Shirat HaNefesh from 2008 to 2014. Rabbi Serotta has served as Executive Director of the interreligious organization Clergy Beyond Borders\, Associate Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase\, and Director of the Hillel Foundation at George Washington University. He was the founder and chair of Rabbis for Human Rights – North America\, and he chaired the Board of Chaplains of George Washington University. \nRabbi Serotta has received many awards for his communal work. He was named a Public Policy Conflict Resolution fellow by the University of Maryland School of Law and served as a senior rabbinic scholar in residence at the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Serotta received a master’s degree in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College\, a Master of Sacred Theology from New York Theological Seminary\, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hebrew Union College. \n\nDiscussant\nIbrahim Anli is a civic entrepreneur with a career record that bridges nonprofit and academic experience. He was a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 2007-08. Ibrahim joined the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (JWF) Ankara office as the diplomacy coordinator in 2010. In 2013\, he became the secretary-general of Abant Platform\, JWF’s Istanbul-based forum of intellectuals. Ibrahim Anli was a lecturer and acting chair at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tishk International University in Erbil in 2016-17. He is currently a volunteer instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University\, a member of the Braver Angels Scholars Council\, and a member of the Public Diplomacy Council of America. \nIbrahim Anli writes opinions in his independent blog and has published peer-reviewed book chapters and articles. He holds a BA in Economics from Istanbul University\, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University\, and a certificate in Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs from Harvard University.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/in-person-book-talk-profiles-in-peace/
LOCATION:Lutheran Church of the Reformation\, 212 East Capitol Street NE\, Washington\, DC\, 20003\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Speaker Series,Upcoming Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230330T170000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230330T203000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20230405T144018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230405T144856Z
UID:19872-1680195600-1680208200@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: Interfaith Bridges\, Intrafaith Divides\, and Polarization
DESCRIPTION:On March 30\, 2023\, Rumi Forum and the Braver Angels D.C. Project organized a special America’s Public Forum event on interfaith alignments\, intrafaith divisions\, and the experiences of religious communities in American polarization in our time. \nDiscussants were Rich Tafel\, Minister of the Church of the Holy City in downtown Washington\, D.C.\, and Ibrahim Anli\, Executive Director of Rumi Forum. Between their interfaith and pastoral and intellectual work\, they brought decades’ worth of experience to questions of the place of religion in American public life amid all the divides of the recent past. Luke Nathan Phillips of Braver Angels hosted a conversation with them examining the ongoing divides in and between religious communities\, the lasting common ground and prospects for new bridges among them\, and the ways religious communities’ navigation of these divisions might inform approaches to American polarization as a whole. \nFollowing the conversation\, including audience Q&A\, participants joined an Iftar dinner courtesy of the Rumi Forum. The event took place at the Friends Meeting of Washington\, DC. \nEvent Photos \n[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”409″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/panel-discussion-interfaith-bridges-intrafaith-divides-and-polarization/
LOCATION:Friends Meeting of Washington\, 2111 Decatur Pl. NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230216T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230217T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20230222T201802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T040738Z
UID:19746-1676534400-1676653200@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Conference: "The Hizmet Movement: Responses to Contemporary Challenges"
DESCRIPTION:On February 16 and 17\, 2023\, The Department of Religious Studies at California State University\, Long Beach\, organized a conference on the Islam-inspired Hizmet Movement (a.k.a. Gulen Movement) entitled “The Hizmet Movement: Responses to Contemporary Challenges.” The conference mainly focused on the Hizmet Movement’s status in Turkey and around the world\, as well as how the Movement responds to the challenges which are posed or exacerbated by global trends and events. This includes the Movement’s status and direction both transnationally and locally. \nConference Schedule \nAcademic Board \nPresenter Bios \nEvent Photos \n[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”407″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]  \nOrganizing Institution: \nThe program in Religious Studies develops students’ critical understanding of the forms of religious phenomena in their cultural and historical contexts and a sensitivity to different value systems. The program provides students with an introduction to the major religious traditions and to religion in the modern world. Because religion infuses human cultures in visible and invisible ways\, Religious Studies place special emphasis on relating the religious dimension of human life to the humanities\, sciences\, and social sciences.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/the-hizmet-movement-responses-to-contemporary-challenges/
LOCATION:California State University\, Long Beach\, 1250 Bellflower Blvd\, Long Beach\, CA\, 90840\, United States
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230131T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230201T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20230119T043147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230214T042617Z
UID:19655-1675152000-1675270800@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Partner Event: IRF Summit 2023
DESCRIPTION:Rumi Forum is a proud Convening Partner and Steering Committee Member of the IRF Summit 2023\, which will bring together a broad coalition that passionately supports religious freedom around the globe for a two-day in-person event in Washington D.C.\, January 31st–February 1st. \nTogether we will raise the profile of international religious freedom on a wide variety of issues using an array of mechanisms best suited for each circumstance. The Summit will connect resources and advocates interested in religious freedom and highlight the personal testimonies of survivors of religious persecution and restrictions on religious freedom. \nBringing attention to the plight of religious adherents who are persecuted\, individually and collectively\, will grow the grassroots and global movement for religious freedom. Breakout sessions hosted by the convening partners will go deep on important IRF topics. \nTogether we will gain political support for the global religious freedom movement and encourage civil society\, people of faith\, and governments to take a stand for religious freedom. \nEvent Photos \n[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”406″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″] \nRumi Forum welcomed participants at the booth and supported the ‘Documenting After IRF Violations’ panel. \n \nSummit Co-Chairs \n \nDr. Katrina Lantos Swett serves as President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice\, established in 2008 to continue the legacy of her father\, the late Congressman Tom Lantos. Under her leadership\, The Lantos Foundation has rapidly become a distinguished and respected voice on key human rights concerns. Dr. Lantos Swett is the former Chair and Vice-Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and teaches Human Rights and American Foreign Policy at Tufts University. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Board of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and the Budapest-based Tom Lantos Institute. \nDr. Lantos Swett also serves on the Advisory Board of UN Watch\, the annual Anne Frank Award and Lecture\, and The Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice\, Leadership\, and Public Policy. Lantos Swett earned a Political Science degree from Yale University at the age of 18\, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California\, Hastings College of the Law\, and a Ph.D. in History from The University of Southern Denmark. \nSam Brownback served as Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom from February 2018 to January 2021. He served as Governor of Kansas from 2011 to 2018. Prior to that he represented his home state in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. While a member of the Senate\, he worked actively on the issue of religious freedom in multiple countries and was a key sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Prior to his public service\, Ambassador Brownback practiced law and taught agricultural law at Kansas State University. He earned a B.S. from Kansas State University and a J.D. from the University of Kansas. \nAmbassador Brownback currently serves as co-chair for the International Religious Freedom Summit and as a Senior Fellow at Open Doors USA. He and his wife Mary have five children and six grandchildren.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/partner-event-irf-summit-2023/
LOCATION:Washington Hilton\, 1919 Connecticut Ave\, N.W.\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Speaker Series,Upcoming Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221026T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221026T200000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20221001T034519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221203T042126Z
UID:19289-1666809000-1666814400@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:In-Person Book Talk: "Between Thought & Action"
DESCRIPTION:This in-person book talk by Dr. Ori Z. Soltes was a discussion on “Between Thought & Action”\, Fethullah Gulen`s intellectual biography of thoughts\, words\, and actions including interviews with Hizmet movement followers. \nThis volume has two goals. One is to explore the life and the thought of Fethullah Gulen and the important educational and peace-inducing activities in which he and those inspired by him have been engaged for several decades. The outcome of those efforts—of creating schools and providing diverse social and cultural services that bring people together people from diverse backgrounds—has been to provide the face of civic and civil Islam as an antidote to the uglier side of political Islam. \nThe second goal has been to make clear how the accusations against Mr. Gulen by the minions of Turkey`s President could hardly be more false: that what Gulen and the Hizmet (service) movement that he has inspired are ultimately about is improving the world and saving it from its uglier inclinations. A brief discussion of his life and thought has been supplemented by the voices of more than 70 interviews conducted over several years\, with individuals intimate and more distant but all inspired to be part of the process of serving humanity. \n  \nEvent Video \n\n  \nAbout the Author: \n \nOri Z. Soltes teaches at Georgetown University across a range of disciplines\, from art history and theology to philosophy and political history. He is the former Director of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum and has curated more than 85 exhibitions there and in other venues across the country and overseas. He has authored or edited 25 books and several hundred articles and essays. Recent volumes include “Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish\, Christian\, and Muslim Art Draw from the Same Source”; “Searching for Oneness: Mysticism in Judaism\, Christianity\, and Islam”; “Untangling the Web: Why the Middle East is a Mess and Always Has Been”; “Tradition and Transformation: Three Millennia of Jewish Art & Architecture”; and “God and the Goalposts: A Brief History of Religion\, Sports\, Politics\, War\, and Art”.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/in-person-book-talk-between-thought-action/
LOCATION:National Press Club\, 529 14th St NW-13th Floor\, Ballroom\, Washington\, DC\, 20045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220929T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220929T200000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20220914T180132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221006T160750Z
UID:19149-1664476200-1664481600@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:In-Person Book Talk: "Hearts & Minds"
DESCRIPTION:This in-person book talked about a comparative and qualitative study of an educational phenomenon\, Hizmet\, functioning worldwide. \nDr. Parrillo and Dr. Ansari present a cross-cultural study of Hizmet schools in seven countries of varying histories and ethnic compositions. Some are fairly homogeneous\, while others are longstanding multicultural\, multiracial societies. Some have Muslim-majority populations\, others a small Muslim minority. Through hundreds of interviews with students\, parents\, staff\, and financial supporters\, the authors explored individual perceptions and experiences\, as well as the triad of student/parent/school interaction. Analyzing the commonality of the schools’ structures and processes in different settings\, they offer their insights about the schools’ success in achieving their twin goals of offering quality education and promoting interethnic harmony. \nAuthor: \n \nVincent N. Parrillo is the author of numerous books and journal articles\, some of them translated into ten languages. He is a Professor Emeritus of sociology at William Paterson University and a Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright Senior Specialist. An internationally recognized expert on immigration\, he is the author of two historical novels about Ellis Island: Guardians of the Gate and Defenders of Freedom. His newest book is Hearts and Minds: Hizmet Schools and Interethnic Relations. He is also the executive producer\, writer\, and narrator of six award-winning PBS television documentaries: Ellis Island: Gateway to America; Smokestacks and Steeples: A Portrait of Paterson; Gaetano Federici: The Sculptor Laureate of Paterson; Paterson and Its People; Silk City Artists and Musicians\, and Paterson: A Delicious Destination. \nActive in community theater\, he directed the Sondheim musical Follies in May 2022 for the Players Guild of Leonia\, where he has directed numerous mainstage productions of all genres (comedies\, dramas\, musicals)\, as well as appearing in others. He also directed The Comedy of Errors in July 2015 at Bergen County Overpeck Park.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/in-person-book-talk-hearts-minds/
LOCATION:National Press Club\, 529 14th St NW-13th Floor\, Ballroom\, Washington\, DC\, 20045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Speaker Series,Upcoming Events
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220314T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220314T193000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20220207T173231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220407T153349Z
UID:18477-1647280800-1647286200@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:In-Person Book Talk: "I Never Thought of It That Way"
DESCRIPTION:We think we have the answers\, but we need to be asking a lot more questions. \nPartisanship is up\, trust is down\, and our social media feeds make us sure we’re right and everyone else is ignorant (or worse). But avoiding and attacking one another is breaking… everything. \nJournalist Mónica Guzmán is the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who voted—twice—for Donald Trump. When the country could no longer see straight across the political divide\, Mónica set out to find what was blinding us and discovered the most eye-opening tool we’re not using: our own curiosity. \nIn this timely\, personal guide\, Mónica Guzmán\, takes you to the real front lines of a crisis that threatens to grind America to a halt—broken conversations among confounded people. She shows you how to overcome the fear and certainty that surround us to finally do what only seems impossible: understand and even learn from people in your life whose whole worldview is different from or even opposed to yours. \nEvent Video \n\n  \nAbout the book: “I Never Thought of It That Way“ \nDrawing from cross-partisan conversations she’s had\, organized\, or witnessed everywhere from the echo chambers on social media to the wheat fields in Oregon to raw\, unfiltered fights with her own family on election night\, Mónica shows how you can put your natural sense of wonder to work for you immediately\, finding the answers you need by talking with people—rather than about them—and asking the questions you want\, curiously.  \nIn these pages\, you’ll learn:  \n • How to ask what you really want to know (even if you’re afraid to) \n • How to grow smarter from even the tensest interactions\, online or off \n • How to cross boundaries and find common ground—with anyone \nWhether you’re left\, right\, center\, or not a fan of labels: If you’re ready to fight back against the confusion\, heartbreak\, and madness of our dangerously divided times—in your own life\, at least—Mónica’s got the tools and fresh\, surprising insights to prove that seeing where people are coming from isn’t just possible. It’s easier than you think. \nEvent Photos \n[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”398″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″] \nAuthor\n \nMónica Guzmán is the Director of Digital and Storytelling at Braver Angels\, a nonprofit working to depolarize America and host of the Crosscut interview series Northwest Newsmakers. She was a 2019 fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation\, where she studied social and political division\, and a 2016 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University\, where she studied how journalists can better meet the needs of a participatory public. \nMónica lives for great conversations sparked by curious questions. Before committing to the project of helping people understand each other across the political divide\, Mónica cofounded the award-winning Seattle newsletter The Evergrey and led a national network of groundbreaking local newsletters as VP of Local for WhereBy.Us. She was named one of the 50 most influential women in Seattle\, served twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes\, and plays a barbarian named Shadrack in her besties’ Dungeons & Dragons campaign. \nDiscussant\n \nBrian Allain founded and leads Writing for Your Life\, a resource center and conference for spiritual writers\, which includes the Publishing in Color conference series\, intended to increase the number of books published by spiritual writers of color. Brian also founded and leads the teams that produce Compassionate Christianity and How to Heal Our Divides. Previously Brian served as Founding Director of the Frederick Buechner Center where he led the launch of Mr. Buechner’s online presence and established several new programs and strategic partnerships.  \nBrian has developed and led spiritual writers conferences at Princeton Theological Seminary\, Drew Theological Seminary\, Western Theological Seminary\, the University of Southern California\, Belmont University\, New Brunswick Seminary\, and several churches. He led the publishing effort for the book Buechner 101: An Introduction to Frederick Buechner\, in collaboration with Anne Lamott\, and also the book How to Heal Our Divides. All of this is a second career\, coming after business and technology leadership in high-tech. Brian has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania\, where he was designated a Palmer Scholar\, their highest academic award.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/i-never-thought-of-it-that-way/
LOCATION:Church of the Holy City\, 1611 16th Street\, NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220209T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220209T210000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20220109T154059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220308T172247Z
UID:18340-1644433200-1644440400@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: "Modern Muslim and Jewish Thinkers Who Have Inspired Us"
DESCRIPTION:On February 9\, 2022\, at 7:00 p.m.\, the Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society (JIDS) and Rumi Forum brought in four scholars to talk about Muslim and Jewish thinkers who left their mark on the modern world. We heard presentations about two modern Jewish thinkers: Rami Shapiro\, who has brought a passion for various eastern faiths into his study of Judaism\, and Menachem Mendel Schneerson (aka the Lubavitcher Rebbe)\, whose ideas sparked the rapidly growing Chabad Movement within Judaism. We will also hear presentations about two modern Muslim thinkers: Said Nursi\, whose commentary of the Qur’an inspired a renewed way of engaging with the modern age; and Muhammad Iqbal\, who had a remarkable impact on the intellectual and cultural reconstruction of Islam in South Asia and beyond. \n As a collaborating partner of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW)\, the event took place during the 3rd Annual World Interfaith Harmony Week in the DMV. Dan Spiro\, who’s the president of JIDS\, moderated the dialogue between these scholars to lead to an enriching conversation between the participants.  \nEvent Video \n\n  \nDr. Marcia Hermansen talked about Muhammad Iqbal\, who was known as the “intellectual father of Pakistan” due to his contribution to the reconstruction of Islam in South Asia. Iqbal was deeply intrigued by contemporary Western thought and reached his audience through poetry in Urdu and Persian while also delivering critical analyses in English. Herb Levy discussed Rabbi Rami Shapiro\, who had a multilingual approach to Judaism and taught a Judaism that was free from chosenness\, xenophobia\, and ethnonationalism. He saw religions as languages\, asserting that no language is true or false\, and believed writing is nature’s way of showing us how sloppy our thinking is. Like Iqbal\, he also used poetry to speak to his audience. Dr. Zeki Saritoprak brought up Said Nursi\, whose writings were inspirations for modern sciences and technologies. Nursi emphasized the importance of knowledge and dialogue\, preached non-violence\, and portrayed the prominence of shared values. Rabbi Lee Weissman talked about the Lubavitcher Rebbe\, who was often referred to as the “leader of the generation.” His view was inclusive of the entirety of Jewish people\, and he took mystical philosophy and turned it into an activist movement. \nAll of these thinkers brought changes and inspirations to many people\, emphasizing the importance of knowledge\, writing\, and shared understanding. They depicted the beauty of faith within oneself and how it flourishes within a community. \n  \n \nThese presentations were given\, respectively\, by four scholars: Herb Levy\, Rabbi Lee Weissman\, Dr. Zeki Saritoprak\, and Dr. Marcia Hermansen.  \nRumi Forum and JIDS present this event as a collaborating partner of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) during the 3rd Annual World Interfaith Harmony Week in the DMV. We are glad that this panel discussion coincides with the annual worldwide observance during the month of February 2022. \n  \nPanelists: \nHerb Levy was raised in an Orthodox home in Baltimore\, completing the high school department of the (then) Baltimore Hebrew College\, in addition to public high school. Through his college years\, he became disconnected from the Judaism that he was raised on but began to reconstruct Judaism to address the social change commitment he made in his life. He spent over 40 years working in affordable housing as his contribution to Tikkun Olam. He’s been active in Kol Ami Reconstructionist of Arlington VA since its birth in December 2000. \n  \nRabbi Lee Weissman has been a Jewish educator in California for over 25 years. For over 10 years\, Lee has been an interfaith activist both online and in person. His Facebook forum “Abraham’s Tent” offers a place for Muslims and Jews to communicate on religious issues. His Twitter account @JihadiJew has a wide interfaith following. Lee’s personal passion is Chassidic philosophy\, particularly the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Lee currently attends Magen David Sephardic Congregation. \n  \n  \nDr. Zeki Saritoprak is the Bediuzzaman Said Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies and a Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland\, Ohio. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology from the University of Marmara in Turkey. His dissertation which examines the personification of evil in the Islamic tradition was published in 1992. Professor Saritoprak is the author of over thirty academic articles and encyclopedia entries on topics in Islam. His most recent books are “Islam’s Jesus” (University Press of Florida\, 2014) and “Islamic Spirituality: Theology and Practice for the Modern World” (Bloomsbury\, 2017). \n  \nDr. Marcia Hermansen is Director of the Islamic World Studies Program and Professor in the Theology Department at Loyola University Chicago where she teaches courses in Islamic Studies and the academic study of religion. She received her Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Chicago and her numerous authored and co-edited books include Religious Diversity at School: Educating for New Pluralistic Contexts (2021)\, Varieties of American Sufism (2020)\, Islam\, Religions\, and Pluralism in Europe (2016)\, Islam and Citizenship Education (2015)\, and Muslima Theology: The Voices of Muslim Women Theologians (2013)\, as well as translations of works of Shah Wali Allah of Delhi.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/modern-muslim-and-jewish-thinkers-who-have-inspired-us/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Modern-Muslim-and-Jewish-Thinkers-Who-Have-Inspired-Us.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220203T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220203T210000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20220111T181357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220210T181543Z
UID:18365-1643914800-1643922000@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion:"How Do We Deal With Covid\, Social Injustice\, and Polarization?"
DESCRIPTION:Rumi Forum\, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights\, and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System presented a virtual panel discussion on “How Do We Deal With Covid\, Social Injustice\, and Polarization?” on February 3\, 2022\, for a conversation for our time\, in recognition of World Interfaith Harmony Week. \nEvent Video \n\nHow do we build and use interfaith harmony to develop restoration\, reconciliation\, and resiliency as applicable to the world that we live in now? We are plagued: by the Covid-19 pandemic\, by social injustice\, by economic inequities\, limited and inequitable access to resources\, environmental injustice\, and the polarization of our times. Three faith leaders will consider these difficult questions and provide hope and practical solutions to taking steps towards restoration\, reconciliation\, and resiliency today. Join Rumi Forum\, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights\, and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System on February 3rd at 7 pm for a conversation for our time\, in recognition of World Interfaith Harmony Week. \nPanelists: \nRahmah A. Abdulaleem is the Executive Director of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights where she works to create a global network of advocates knowledgeable about the gender-equitable principles of Islam and are able to advance the cause of Muslim women’s rights in legal and social environments. Ms. Abdulaleem was raised in Philadelphia and was an active member of Masjidullah in Philadelphia during her youth. She graduated from Duke University with a double major in Religion and Sociology and a certificate in Markets & Management Studies. Ms. Abdulaleem obtained her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and worked at a top international corporate law firm for 14 years.  \n  \nRabbi Abbi Sharofsky is the JCRC’s Director of Intergroup Relations/JCRC Rabbi in Residence. She studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary and was ordained in 2012. Abbi also holds a master’s degree from the Davidson School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary\, specializing in experiential Jewish education. Abbi was the deputy director of the Jewish Welfare Board Jewish Chaplains Council\, where she worked with Jewish military personnel and veterans. Rabbi Sharofsky is the recipient of the 2016 JPRO Network Young Professional Award for her dedication to the Jewish community through her work in the Jewish not-for-profit field. She is a Rabbis Without Borders fellow\, 2018 cohort.  \n  \n \nCharles A. Tapp was elected President of the Potomac Conference Corporation in March of 2021. Prior to taking this post\, Tapp served as senior pastor of the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist church. \nFor nearly 40 years and in many scenarios\, Tapp has served as a pastor\, professor\, administrator\, writer\, and radio/television host sharing God’s love and saving grace with the world. His ministry is fueled by the message found in Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might\, nor by power\, but by my Spirit\, says the LORD Almighty.” Prayer is at the center of his life and the way he leads the ministry of Sligo Church. \n  \n \nRumi Forum presents this event as a collaborating partner of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) during the 3rd Annual World Interfaith Harmony Week in the DMV. We are glad that this panel discussion coincides with the annual worldwide observance during the month of February 2022.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/how-do-we-deal-with-covid-social-injustice-and-polarization/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3R-Interfaith-Panel-Feb.3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211209T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211209T200000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20211123T173852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211216T194529Z
UID:18154-1639074600-1639080000@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:In-Person Book Talk: "People of the Book"
DESCRIPTION:On December 9\, 2021\, participants joined this in-person book talk for a considered study of Muslim–Christian coexistence and dialogue in the time of Prophet Muhammad. \nThe Christians that lived around the Arabian Peninsula during Muhammad’s lifetime are shrouded in mystery. Some of the stories of the Prophet’s interactions with them are based on legends and myths\, while others are more authentic and plausible. But who exactly were these Christians? Why did Muhammad interact with them as he reportedly did? And what lessons can today’s Christians and Muslims learn from these encounters? \n  \nScholar Craig Considine\, one of the most powerful global voices speaking in admiration of the prophet of Islam\, provides answers to these questions. Through a careful study of works by historians and theologians\, he highlights an idea central to Muhammad’s vision: an inclusive Ummah\, or Muslim nation\, rooted in citizenship rights\, interfaith dialogue\, and freedom of conscience\, religion\, and speech. In this unprecedented sociological analysis of one of history’s most influential human beings\, Considine offers groundbreaking insight that could redefine Christian and Muslim relations. \nYou can find more information about the book here. \nAbout the author\nDr. Craig Considine is an award-winning professor and the best–selling author of The Humanity of Muhammad–A Christian View (2020). He is recognized as an authority in interfaith dialogue\, particularly Christian and Muslim relations. Dr. Considine has written seven books for the field of Islamic studies\, including People of the Book–Prophet Muhammad’s Encounter with Christians (2021)\, Muslims in America: Examining the Facts (2018)\, and Islam\, Race\, & Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora (2017). \n  \nThroughout the years\, Dr. Considine’s peer-reviewed articles have appeared in Sociology and Religions and his op-eds have been published in Newsweek and Foreign Policy. Dr. Considine’s opinions appear regularly in the leading news and media outlets around the world. He also has experience in filmmaking\, having directed the critically acclaimed documentary film Journey into America. Dr. Considine has spoken to audiences for Oxford University\, the University of Edinburgh\, Trinity College Dublin\, the University of Dublin\, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Doha). He is a practicing Roman Catholic with ancestral roots mainly in Sant’Elia Fiumerapido and Monacilioni\, Italy and Lisdoonvarna\, Ireland\, but also England and Scotland. Craig is a native of Needham\, Massachusetts. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Trinity College Dublin\, the University of Dublin\, an MSc Lond. in international relations from Royal Holloway\, the University of London\, and a BA in international relations from American University in Washington\, DC. \nEvent Video
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/people-of-the-book/
LOCATION:Busboys and Poets – 450K\, 450 K St. NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20001\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/People-of-the-Book-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211202T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211202T200000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20211026T201537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211216T194452Z
UID:18116-1638469800-1638475200@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: "How to Heal Our Divides"
DESCRIPTION:Rumi Forum launches 3R Series \nRestoration\, Reconciliation\, Resiliency\nCOVID came along and dominated our lives almost two years ago at a time when we were already battered by interracial tensions and divisive political rhetoric. The isolation that the pandemic forced us into has affected the psyche of all\, and COVID-related economic difficulties made the lives of many rather difficult. In the middle of these historic moments\, we had a contentious election that peaked with an attack on the Congress\, the symbol of our nation.  \nIt appears that we are in dire need of restoring our trust in our political system\, in our government and agencies\, in our civil society\, and more importantly in each other. Our goal with the 3R Series is to inspire a vision of Restoration through Reconciliation and to remind ourselves of the Resiliency Americans have demonstrated again and again in difficult times throughout our history. We hope this effort will inspire hope\, instill an urgency\, and drive people to act to bridge the divides in our society so that we can heal and be whole once again. \n Event Video \n\n  \nAbout the book\, “How to Heal our Divides” \n\nIf we didn’t recognize them already\, 2020 put a spotlight on several serious\, deep divides that have had strong negative impacts on our society – racial\, political\, religious\, and other divides. Much has been written describing these divides and how they came about or encouraging us to look deeply inside ourselves to discover our own flaws. All good things! But there has been a lack of attention regarding what to do about it. “How to Heal Our Divides” is a project aimed at building awareness of organizations that are taking real action to address these issues. The project is not an attempt to gloss over serious problems or “make happy” but instead to highlight tangible efforts that are solving problems – actually healing divides in effective and practical ways.  \nPerhaps you are tempted to just write off “the other side” and lambast them for all the terrible things they’ve done. But is that really in the best interest of our country and our culture? Shouldn’t we instead try to listen and learn and actually talk to each other? Are there at least some things we can work on together\, even if we don’t agree on everything? (How many people have you met with whom you agree on absolutely everything?) Granted\, some will never listen. But some will. We owe it to our children to try to make things better. \n\nModerator \nAllison K. Ralph\, Ph.D.\, is the Associate Director of the Inclusive America Project at the Aspen Institute. Prior to joining the Inclusive America Project as Assistant Director in 2019\, she served the Project as consultant and advisor for two years\, including as editor of Pluralism in Peril: Challenges to an American Ideal. She began her career in the non-profit sector at the El-Hibri Foundation after earning her doctorate in Church History from The Catholic University of America in 2015. She also holds a B.A. in History from the University of North Florida and an M.Phil. in Church History from the University of Cambridge. At heart\, she is still the blue-collar farm girl and custom picture framer she was raised as at the family home and business. \nPanelists \n Martin Brooks is the President of Peace Catalyst International. He has been with Peace Catalyst International since 2011 when he and his wife Susan returned from Turkish Cyprus. Drawing on the teachings and examples of Jesus\, Martin has worked with local churches and mosques to create safe spaces to ask questions and build greater trust between Christians and Muslims. He has organized dialogue events\, iftar meals\, and Peace Feasts with Palestinians\, Syrians\, Turks\, Pakistanis\, Somalis\, Kurds\, and Iranians. A gifted collaborator\, he works with city officials\, refugee agencies\, local clergy\, and interfaith groups to seek the peace of the city and mutual thriving for all. \nJeff Burns\, D.Min\, is a peace and human rights\, activist. He has been active in building bridges of reconciliation\, peacemaking\, and friendship between Muslims and Christians in the U.S. and overseas for the last ten years. Jeff served as the East Coast Regional Director for Peace Catalyst International for four years. PCI focuses on reconciliation and peacemaking in the way of Jesus. Before his calling as a peacemaker Jeff served as a senior pastor for 18 years. He went on to become a part of the house church movement in the U.S. As a leader in the house church movement; Jeff served as an elder in the Sojourners Simple Church Network in Raleigh\, NC for nine years where he started an intentional community that focused on peacemaking with the local Muslim community. \nRev. Richard L. Tafel serves as the minister at the Church of the Holy City. With an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and a graduate degree in Theology from Harvard University\, Tafel is ordained and his first job was as Assistant Minister of Harvard University’s Memorial Church. With his knowledge of politics and vision for social change\, he launched his first company that helped nonprofits engage in public policy. He worked domestically with College Summit on access for low-income students to college. In addition\, he created the global strategy for the AIDS Responsibility Project that helped facilitate the delivery of AIDS drugs to Africa. In addition\, they worked with Brazil\, Mexico\, and Jamaica on ending HIV/AIDS discrimination.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/how-to-heal-our-divides/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/3R-Series-How-to-Heal-Our-Divides-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211028T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211028T200000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20210930T194005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211216T194349Z
UID:18019-1635445800-1635451200@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:In-Person Book Talk: "God`s Diplomats"
DESCRIPTION:Using inside sources and extensive field reporting about the secretive\, high-stakes world of international diplomacy\, Vatican reporter Victor Gaetan takes readers to the Holy See to explicate Pope Francis‘s diplomacy\, show why it works\, and offer readers a startling contrast to the dangerous inadequacies of recent U.S. international decisions.  \nYou can find more information about the book here. \n \n  \nAbout the author\nVictor Gaetan\, Ph.D.\, has served as an international correspondent for Catholic News Service and the National Catholic Register. He contributes to Foreign Affairs and America magazine. He has written from Asia\, Europe\, Latin America\, and the Middle East—experiences that provided a wealth of contacts with the notoriously tight-lipped papal diplomatic corps. He gathered rare insight in the Vatican Secret Archives\, which is not open to the public. \nFor over 20 years he has filed stories from countries in turmoil: Bosnia-Herzegovina\, Cuba\, Lebanon\, Kosovo\, Peru\, Turkey\, and Ukraine as well as from Hong Kong\, Korea\, and Taiwan. He has received numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association of North America and has written for secular publications ranging from Art & Auction to Le Figaro. \nGaetan received a Ph.D. in Ideology in Literature from Tufts University; a master`s degree from the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy (MALD)\, and a license in Byzantine and Ottoman Studies from Sorbonne University in Paris (comparable to a BA). \nAbout the discussant\nMartine Miller is the Vice President of International Center for Religion & Diplomacy and a mediator and conflict transformation specialist with over 20 years of engaged experience—with communities\, governments\, regional bodies (i.e. EU\, AU\, and ASEAN)\, UN agencies\, a range of inter/national non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. Her work has engaged her directly in fluid war to post-war reconstruction and development contexts across 70 countries in Africa\, Asia\, and the Pacific\, West to East Europe\, and North and South America. \n  \nEvent Video \n\nEvent Photos\n[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”396\,397″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/gods-diplomats/
LOCATION:Alex Galleries\, 2106 R St.\, NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20008
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gods-Diplomats.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20210729T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20210729T201500
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20210723T030327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210810T185047Z
UID:17814-1627585200-1627589700@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Book Talk: Peace in the Age of Chaos
DESCRIPTION:Working on an aid program in one of the most violent places in the world\, North East Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo\, philanthropist\, and business leader Steve Killelea asked himself\, ‘What are the most peaceful nations?’ Unable to find an answer\, he created the world’s leading measure of peace\, the Global Peace Index\, which receives over 16 billion media impressions annually and has become the definitive go-to index for heads of state. Steve Killelea then went on to establish a world-renowned think tank\, the Institute for Economics and Peace. Today its work is used by organizations such as the World Bank\, United Nations\, and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and taught in thousands of university courses around the world. \n“Peace in The Age of Chaos” tells of Steve’s personal journey to measure and understand peace. It explores the practical application of his work\, which is gathering momentum at a rapid pace. In this time when we are faced with environmental\, social\, and economic challenges\, this book shows us a way forward where Positive Peace\, described as creating the optimal environment for human potential to flourish\, can lead to a paradigm shift in the ways societies can be managed\, making them more resilient and better capable of adapting to their changing environments. \nSpeaker \n Steve Killelea is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)\, one of the world’s most impactful think tanks on peace and what creates it. Steve is also the creator of the Global Peace Index\, the world’s leading measure of peace that ranks 163 countries and independent territories by their levels of peacefulness each year\, and is used by major organizations such as the World Bank\, OECD\, UN\, as well as governments and thousands of universities worldwide. Over the last two decades\, Steve has applied his business skills as one of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs to his many global philanthropic activities\, including his private family charity\, The Charitable Foundation\, which now has over three million direct beneficiaries. In recognition of his contribution to the global peace movement\, Steve has twice been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the Luxembourg Peace Prize in 2016. He has also been recognized by the Action on Armed Violence group as one of the 100 most influential people in the world on reducing armed violence. \n“Today\, Steve serves on the President’s Circle for Club de Madrid\, the largest forum of former world leaders working democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers working to strengthen democracy\, and is an honorary president for Religions for Peace\, the largest organization in the world working on inter-religious challenges. \nDiscussant \nChic Dambach is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins and American Universities\, and he is a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. He was President and CEO (currently President Emeritus) of the National Peace Corps Association; former President of the Alliance for Peacebuilding\, and former Chief of Staff for Congressman John Garamendi. Previously\, he held executive positions in the arts\, sports\, and health\, and he was an “expert” advisor to the director of the Peace Corps. He serves as Chair of the Mali Affinity Group\, and he has served on dozens of nonprofit boards. He lectures regularly at colleges and universities and at conferences\, and he was a senior consultant with BoardSource where he helped write two books on nonprofit governance. \n“His career began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia\, and his memoir\, Exhaust the Limits\, the Life and Times of a Global Peacebuilder\, features a lifetime of service and successful initiatives for peace in Africa. He was nominated for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize\, and the Institute for Economics and Peace presented him with the Leadership and Service for Peace Award in 2016. He was named the “2016 Peace Corps Champion” for keeping the spirit of service alive. His TEDx Talk “Why Not Peace” is available on YouTube. He was a national champion kayak racer and served as an official for canoe and kayak competitions in the 1988\, 1992\, and 1996 Olympic Games. \nFull Event Video
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/peace-in-the-age-of-chaos/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peace-in-the-age-of-chaos.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20210624T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20210624T201500
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20210602T060216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211202T162109Z
UID:17599-1624561200-1624565700@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Book Talk: No Power Over God's Bounty
DESCRIPTION:The Qur’an often addresses Jews and Christians as “People of Scripture” to indicate that they have received revelation from God. Yet\, while acknowledging the special relationship and knowledge that this revelation brings\, the Qur’an at the same time criticizes the People of Scripture for not remaining true to God’s guidance and claiming special power over God’s gifts. The mixture of acknowledgment and criticism is based on actual encounters with Jews and Christians at the time of the revelation of the Qur’an. This Christian commentary on the 31 texts in which the Qur’an discusses and addresses the People of Scripture includes the Muslim tradition of interpretation of these texts and adds Christian resonances in order to contribute to the future dialogue between Muslims and Christians on the common heritage and the differences between them. \nSpeaker: \nDr. Pim Valkenberg studied theology and religious studies in the Netherlands\, where he was involved in the dialogue between the three Abrahamic religions at the Radboud University of Nijmegen where he worked for twenty years until he came to the United States with his family to work at Loyola University Maryland and\, since 2011\, the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. His fields of specialization are comparative theology\, interreligious dialogue\, and Christian – Muslim relations. Among his publications are World Religions in Dialogue (2014\, 2017)\, Renewing Islam By Service: A Christian View of Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement (2015)\, and Nostra Aetate: Celebrating Fifty Years of the Catholic Church’s Dialogue with Jews and Muslims (2016). His latest book is published in 2021 by Peeters in Leuven: No Power over God’s Bounty: A Christian Commentary on the “People of Scripture” in the Qur’ān. \n  \nDiscussant:\nDr. Zeki Saritoprak is Professor and the Bediüzzaman Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies at John Carroll University. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology from the University of Marmara in Turkey. Professor Saritoprak is the author of Islam’s Jesus (University Press of Florida\, 2014) and over thirty academic articles and encyclopedia entries on topics in Islam. He has served as guest editor for issues of the journals Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and the Muslim World. He is editor and co-translator of Fundamentals of Rumi’s Thought: A Mevlevi Sufi Perspective (in English; New Jersey: The Light\, 2004) and the editor of a critical edition of al-Sarakhsi’s Sifat Ashrat al-Sa’a (in Arabic; Cairo\, 1993). He is currently preparing a book on Islamic spirituality tentatively titled Islamic Spirituality: Theology and Practice for the Modern World. \nFull Event Video
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/no-power-over-gods-bounty/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/No-Power-over-Gods-Bounty-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20210603T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20210603T191500
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20210520T153051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210810T232730Z
UID:17567-1622743200-1622747700@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Book Talk: Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination
DESCRIPTION:Arson and vandalism at houses of worship. Bullying at schools and harassment at the grocery store. Political scapegoating and institutionalized discrimination. Muslims in the United States and beyond have faced Islamophobia in a range of forms. This groundbreaking book argues that Christians though they are not the targets of Islamophobia should be at the forefront of efforts to end the prejudice and discrimination that Muslims face. Writing for Christians of all denominations\, Jordan Denari Duffner offers an introduction to Islamophobia\, discusses the unfortunate ways that Christians have contributed to it\, and offers practical steps for standing in solidarity with Muslims. Viewing Islamophobia as both social justice and a religious freedom issue\, Duffner makes the case that the Christian faith calls us to combat religious discrimination even when it is not directed toward our own faith community. She weaves together insights from Catholic social teaching\, examples from Protestant leaders\, and expertise from Muslim scholars and activists\, resulting in a compelling book that will be of interest to academic and lay audiences alike. \nSpeaker/Author \n \nJordan Denari Duffner is an author\, educator\, and scholar of Muslim-Christian relations. Her books are Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination and Finding Jesus among Muslims: How Loving Islam Makes Me a Better Catholic. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in theology and religious studies at Georgetown University and is an associate of the Bridge Initiative. \n  \nModerator  \nSusan Douglass received a Ph.D. in world history from George Mason University in 2016 and holds an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. Her research field is education history and policy in teaching about the world and world religions. She works on instructional design\, and has published widely on American textbooks and curriculum standards policy\, and has authored teaching resources for Unity Productions Foundation films\, grant projects for the National Endowment for the Humanities\, the British Council\, and the National Center for History in the Schools and others. She is currently K-14 Education Outreach Coordinator at CCAS and has conducted teacher workshops for ACMCU since 2007. \nFull Event Video
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/islamophobia-what-christians-should-know-and-do-about-anti-muslim-discrimination/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Islamophobia.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200909T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200909T190000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200818T193059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211214T175151Z
UID:16116-1599674400-1599678000@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: "Charity In the Age of a Pandemic"
DESCRIPTION:On September 9\, 2020\, with our partner UNA-NCA\, speakers Katherine Marshall\, Kim R. Ford\, Jerome Tennille\, and moderator Stephen Moseley had a great discussion about how community solidarity has displayed itself in ways that we haven’t seen before to eradicate poverty in the age of pandemic. \n\n\n \n \nAt a time when everyone around the world is grappling with unprecedented changes and challenges in their lives\, one of the most fundamental values that continue to make positive changes in our lives is generosity. The inevitable quality of giving continues bringing individuals of all backgrounds regardless of their languages\, ethnicities\, races\, faiths\, opinions together across the globe. We have witnessed various shades of generosity as they are implemented as a means of standing together in unity. Whether that’s through educating ourselves on social issues\, raising awareness about humanitarian causes\, supporting communities through monetary contributions\, or reaching out to a neighbor next door or across the continents\, every act of goodwill has touched people’s lives. In this time of uncertainty\, there’s a fundamental truth that gives us hope – that together we can do extraordinary things. Together.  \nIn 2012\, September 5th was designated the “International Day of Charity” by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa\, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress\, which also constitute a threat to peace.” \nIn this spirit\, on September 9\, 2020\, Rumi Forum and UNA-NCA invited participants to a panel highlighting how individual and/or collective initiatives keep us connected. \n  \nFull Event Video\n\n \n  \nScreenshot from the Event
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/charity-in-the-age-of-a-pandemic/
LOCATION:ONLINE EVENT
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Charity-In-the-Age-of-a-Pandemic-e1597778972233.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200707
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200708
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200717T070942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T191052Z
UID:17360-1594080000-1594166399@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:We Refuse to be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews can make Peace\, One Friendship at a Time
DESCRIPTION:On Tuesday\, July 7\, Sabeeha Rehman and Walter Ruby shared the wonderful story of their upcoming book\, “We Refuse to be Enemies”\, about how the paths of a Muslim woman and a Jewish man crossed and led to a joint endeavour for a meaningful purpose. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSabeeha Rehman and Walter Ruby\, a Muslim-American woman of Pakistani origin and a Jewish-American man who spent his formative years in Israel\, will share their story of how they connected and embarked on a mission to bring their respective communities together in their common homeland\, America. \n\n\n\nGrowing up in Pakistan\, Sabeeha never met a Jew\, her view colored by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his youth\, Walter never met a Muslim\, his opinion shaped by Leon Uris’s Exodus. What changed their perceptions? How did they fare in nurturing Muslim-Jewish communication and cooperation? Sabeeha and Walter will share their experiences of facing pushback from their communities\, overcoming obstacles and bringing together Muslims and Jews to explore unexpected commonalities between their faiths; to work together to help people in need and stand together against bigotry. Finally\, they will offer their vision for reconciliation. \n\n\n\nSabeeha and Walter have co-authored a book\, We Refuse to be Enemies. How Muslims and Jews can make Peace\, One Friendship at a Time\, due for publication in Spring 2021. It is their hope that this book will inspire people of all faiths and ethnicities to reach out to each other and heal our nation. \n\n\n\nSpeakers of the Event\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSABEEHA REHMAN is the author of the 2016 memoir\, “Threading My Prayer Rug. One Woman’s Journey from Pakistani Muslim to American Muslim\,”  Short-Listed for the 2018 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing\, the book also received several other nominations and awards. She is also an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal and New York Daily News. In the early 1980s\, concerned about raising her sons as Muslims in the absence of a Muslim community\, she set to work\, and her commitment culminated in the building of a mosque on Staten Island where her family lived. Sabeeha\, who holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration\, served as a hospital executive for 25 years.  Thereafter\, responding to her grandson’s autism diagnosis\, she co-founded the NY Chapter of the National Autism Association and served as its President from 2008-11. As a public speaker\, she has spent several decades engaging in interfaith dialogue and now serves as a board member of the Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee as well as the NY Chapter of the National Autism Association. She blogs on topics related to American Muslim experience at www.sabeeharehman.com/blog. She lives in New York City with her husband Khalid\, a retired Hematologist/Oncologist. \n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n WALTER RUBY is a veteran activist in Muslim-Jewish relations. From 2008-2017\, in the position of Muslim-Jewish Relations Director at the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding\, he organized hundreds of twinning events; bringing together thousands of Jews and Muslims in over 30 countries on five continents\, including members of mosques and synagogues and Muslim and Jewish organizations. Ruby presently serves as executive director of Jews\, Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT)\, a grassroots community of Muslim\, Jewish and Interfaith activists in Greater Washington; and as Coordinator of the Washington Area Chapter of Project Rozana\, which works to strengthen ties between Israelis and Palestinians through health care. Ruby is currently co-authoring a book with Muslim-American author Sabeeha Rehman entitled We Refuse To Be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews Can Make Peace\, One Friendship at a Time. Ruby has worked as a reporter and commentator for more than 40 years\, mainly for American Jewish and Israeli publications. His articles and op-eds have appeared in the New York Times\, Wall Street Journal\, Los Angeles Times\, USA Today and other media. Walter lives in Washington\, D.C. with his wife Tatayna.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/we-refuse-to-be-enemies-how-muslims-and-jews-can-make-peace-one-friendship-at-a-time/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/We-Refuse-to-be-Enemies_-e1592422245281.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200512
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200513
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200512T192339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T192503Z
UID:17371-1589241600-1589327999@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: Interfaith Encounters: A model of building bridges in Israel and Palestine
DESCRIPTION:On Tuesday\, May 12\, Rumi Forum hosted Dr. Yehuda Stolov\, the executive director of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA)\, for a discussion about IEA’s outstanding story of building interfaith bridges in Israel and Palestine. He highlighted an inter-communal model where ongoing groups of interfaith encounters prevail the opportunity to meet the ‘other’.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBased in Jerusalem\, IEA plants seeds of the desired long-lasting friendships coupled with respect for the unique identity of each. The IEA invites people from different traditional and cultural backgrounds and faiths to join its groups. Within the groups\, participants have meaningful encounters which bring them closer to each other. Prejudice\, hostility\, and suspicion are transformed into a direct acquaintance\, mutual respect and friendship. IEA groups are both a model for inter-communal relations of appreciation and care\, and vehicles to promote them.\n\n\n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page. \n\n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYehuda Stolov is the executive director of the Interfaith Encounter Association (www.interfaith-encounter.org)\, an organization that works since 2001 to build peaceful inter-communal relations in the Holy Land by fostering mutual respect and trust between people and communities through active interfaith dialogue.\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Stolov has lectured on the role of religious dialogue in peace-building throughout the world\, including Jordan\, India\, Indonesia\, Turkey\, South Korea\, North America and Europe. He also published many papers on related issues.\n\n\n\n\n\nIn 2006\, he was awarded the Immortal Chaplains Foundation Prize for Humanity\, which honors those who “risked all to protect others of a different faith or ethnic origin”; and in 2015 he was awarded the IIE Victor J. Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East.\n\n\n\n\n\nAmong other activities\, Dr. Stolov was a member of the International Council of the International Association for Religious Freedom and a member of the steering committee for the United Nations Decade of Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace.\n\n\n\n\n\nHe holds a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in Physics and a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is married and father of three children\, living in Jerusalem.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-interfaith-encounters-a-model-of-building-bridges-in-israel-and-palestine-2/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Interfaith-Encounters-A-model-of-building-bridges-in-Israel-and-Palestine.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200424
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200423T192520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T192624Z
UID:17373-1587600000-1587686399@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: United in COVID-19: Rediscovering Pluralism in the Face of a Shared Threat
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, April 23\, Rumi Forum in collaboration with Atlantic Institue hosted Dr. John L. Esposito from Georgetown University\, who gave a great talk about pluralism in the US\, recent trends in the social landscape\, and the particular impact of COVID19. This marked the sixth Virtual Coffee Night Series. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nNeedless to say\, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. That being said\, we believe that nothing beats a nice relaxed conversation and invite you both to relieve ourselves over a cup of coffee and to stimulate our minds with various light-hearted talks. Prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds have been and will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations. \n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page. \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. John L. Esposito is University Professor\, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and Founding Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and The Bridge Initiative: Protecting Pluralism – Ending Islamophobia at Georgetown University. \n\n\n\nIn 2019\, he was S. Rajaratnam Professor of Strategic Studies\, Rajaratnam School of International Studies\, Singapore. Past President of the American Academy of Religion and Middle East Studies Association\, his more than 55 books include: Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring\, What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam\, Shariah\, What Everyone Needs to Know\, The Future of Islam\, Who Speaks for Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think\, Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam\, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?\, Islamophobia and the Challenge of Pluralism in the 21st Century. Esposito’s writings are translated into more than 45 languages. \n\n\n\nEsposito has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State and other agencies\, European and Asian governments\, corporations\, universities\, and media worldwide and has been a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders and the E. C. European Network of Experts on De-Radicalisation
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-united-in-covid-19-rediscovering-pluralism-in-the-face-of-a-shared-threat/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/United-in-COVID-19-Rediscovering-Pluralism-in-the-Face-of-a-Shared-Threat.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200420
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200421
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200420T192643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T192801Z
UID:17375-1587340800-1587427199@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: Muslim Women Speak for Themselves
DESCRIPTION:On Monday\, April 20\, Rumi Forum hosted Petra Alsoofy\, Outreach & Partnerships Manager at Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) for the fifth Virtual Coffee Night speaker series. Petra Alsoofy gave an illuminating data-based presentation about Muslim women the US in a variety of dimensions; including family\, education\, wellness\, and institutional capacity.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeedless to say\, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. That being said\, we believe that nothing beats a nice relaxed conversation and invite you both to relieve ourselves over a cup of coffee and to stimulate our minds with various light-hearted talks. Prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds have been and will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations. \n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.  \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPetra Alsoofy is the Outreach & Partnerships Manager at ISPU\, where she strengthens our valued partnerships and forges new ones with organizations who share our goal of empowering American Muslims. She joins ISPU after serving more than four years as an educator at the Arab American National Museum\, where she worked with educators\, students\, and professionals. In her role at the museum\, Petra educated visitors about the history and the contributions of Arab Americans as well as stereotypes and challenges they face. She also serves as a board member on the Michigan Council for History Education. Petra is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she earned a BA in political science.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-muslim-women-speak-for-themselves/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Muslim-Women-Speak-for-Themselves.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200417
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200418
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200417T192815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T192917Z
UID:17377-1587081600-1587167999@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: The Humanity of Muhammad:  A Christian View
DESCRIPTION:On Friday\, April 17\,  Dr. Craig Considine from Rice University was with us to talk about the humanity of Muhammad from a Christian view with an emphasis on the Identification with All Humanity (IWAH) as a moral concept. It was the fourth Virtual Coffee Night speaker series. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeedless to say\, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. That being said\, we believe that nothing beats a nice relaxed conversation and invite you both to relieve ourselves over a cup of coffee and to stimulate our minds with various light-hearted talks. Prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds have been and will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations. \n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.  \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Craig Considine is a scholar\, professor\, global speaker\, media contributor\, & public intellectual based at the Department of Sociology at Rice University. He is the author of many books & articles. Dr. Considine’s opinions have been featured in the New York Times\, Washington Post\, CNN\, BBC\, CBS News\, Fox News\, MSNBC\, Newsweek\, & Al Jazeera. He has been invited to speak at some of the leading international organizations & universities in the world. Dr. Considine is visible on social media. He holds a PhD from Trinity College (University of Dublin)\, MSc from Royal Holloway (University of London)\, & BA from American University in Washington\, DC. Dr. Considine is a U.S. Catholic of Irish and Italian descent.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-the-humanity-of-muhammad-a-christian-view/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/craig-considine-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200416
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200415T192930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T193027Z
UID:17379-1586908800-1586995199@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: Faith in American Public Life:  Confronting Controversies\, Cultivating Common Ground
DESCRIPTION:On Wednesday\, April 15\, for the third Virtual Coffee Night speaker series\, Melissa Rogers\, a leading expert and scholar on religion in American public life\, gave a fascinating talk on how the First Amendment encompasses common ground\, and for sharing insights on controversies about religion in public life. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeedless to say\, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. That being said\, we believe that nothing beats a nice relaxed conversation and invite you both to relieve ourselves over a cup of coffee and to stimulate our minds with various light-hearted talks. Prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds have been and will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations. \n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.  \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker:  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMelissa Rogers is a nationally known expert on religion in American public life. Her areas of expertise include the United States Constitution’s religious liberty guarantees and the interplay of religion\, law\, policy\, and politics.  Rogers currently serves as Visiting Professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity and as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. \n\n\n\nRogers previously served as Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (2013-2017)\, Chair of President Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (2009-2010)\, Director of the Center for Religion and Public Affairs at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity (2003 – 2013)\, Executive Director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2000 – 2003)\, and Associate Counsel/General Counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (1994 – 2000).   \n\n\n\nRogers is author of Faith in American Public Life (2019) and co-author of Religious Freedom and the Supreme Court (2008).  She has received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from both Wake Forest University and the John Leland Center for Theological Studies.  Rogers holds a J.D. from University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. from Baylor University. In 2017\, President Barack Obama appointed Rogers to serve as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.  Baylor University awarded her its Pro Texana Medal of Service and the First Freedom Center gave Rogers its Virginia First Freedom Award.  National Journal has recognized Rogers as one of the church-state experts “politicians will call on when they get serious about addressing an important public policy issue.”
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-faith-in-american-public-life-confronting-controversies-cultivating-common-ground/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Melissa-roger-e1590675249651.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200413
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200414
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200413T193040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T193204Z
UID:17381-1586736000-1586822399@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: Americans Immersed in COVID-19 News
DESCRIPTION:On Monday\, April 13\, Rumi Forum featured Baxter Oliphant from Pew Research Center to talk about up to date Pew Research findings of how American public opinion responds to COVID-19 news in the media for the second Virtual Coffee Night speaker series.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeedless to say\, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. That being said\, we believe that nothing beats a nice relaxed conversation and invite you both to relieve ourselves over a cup of coffee and to stimulate our minds with various light-hearted talks. Prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds have been and will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations. \n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.  \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBaxter Oliphant is a senior researcher at Pew Research Center\, where he focuses on U.S. politics and policy research including partisan polarization\, trust in government\, gun policy and U.S. foreign policy. He received doctoral and master’s degrees in politics from Princeton University and holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. His dissertation explored the impact of moments on U.S. presidential elections. Before graduate school\, he worked in political polling for campaigns and industry groups. Oliphant is a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research and the American Political Science Association.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-americans-immersed-in-covid-19-news/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Baxter-Oliphant-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200410
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200411
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20200410T193219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T193305Z
UID:17383-1586476800-1586563199@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Coffee Night Series: Facing the COVID-19 Challenge with Empathy and Compassion
DESCRIPTION:On Friday\, Aril 10\, Rumi Forum launched the first Virtual Coffee Night speaker series. Dr. Peter Cohen talked about ways to project empathy and compassion during these testing times. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nNeedless to say\, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. That being said\, we believe that nothing beats a nice relaxed conversation and invite you both to relieve ourselves over a cup of coffee and to stimulate our minds with various light-hearted talks. Prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds have been and will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations. \n\n\n\nYou can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page. \n\n\n\nSPEAKER: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Peter Cohen received his Ph.D. from Florida State University in Humanities and Religion\, his M.A. from Florida State University in Biblical Studies and his B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Springfield College. His dissertation was entitled “A Motif Index of the Angel of Death in Early Rabbinic Literature.” Dr. Cohen came to Clemson in 1995 after teaching at Appalachian State University\, Florida State University\, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. His teaching interests revolve around looking at the common traits shared by the religious traditions of the world\, rather than looking for their differences. Dr. Cohen can often be found teaching adult education in area churches on Sunday mornings or as an instructor in the University’s Osher Life Long Learning Institute for retired people from the community. Presently\, he is teaching the general education courses in Religion for the department.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/virtual-coffee-night-series-facing-the-covid-19-challenge-with-empathy-and-compassion/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Coffee Nights,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Facing-the-COVID-19-Challenge-with-Empathy-and-Compassion-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191113
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191114
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20191114T191153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T191319Z
UID:17363-1573603200-1573689599@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America
DESCRIPTION:A Fresh Perspective on Religious Freedom from One of the Nation’s Top Attorneys. \n\n\n\nOn Wednesday\, November 14\, Rumi Forum had the honor to host Luke Goodrich of Becket Law for a talk about his latest book\, Free to Believe. Goodrich discussed why religious freedom is important and how it can be defended in contemporary America. \n\n\n\n \n\nMany Americans feel like their religious freedoms are under attack and their beliefs will soon be punished as a form of bigotry. Others say these fears are overblown and Christians should stop complaining about imaginary persecution. \nIn Free to Believe\, leading religious freedom attorney Luke Goodrich challenges both sides of this debate\, offering surprising insights on the most controversial religious freedom conflicts today—including gay rights\, abortion rights\, Islam\, and the public square. Goodrich shows that threats to religious freedom are real—but they might not be what you think.As a lawyer at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty\, Goodrich has won several historic Supreme Court victories for clients like the Little Sisters of the Poor and Hobby Lobby. Combining frontline experience with faithful attention to Scripture\, Goodrich offers a groundbreaking book—full of clear insight\, practical wisdom\, and refreshing hope for all people of faith.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/free-to-believe-the-battle-over-religious-liberty-in-america/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Free-to-Believe-25.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191007
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191008
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20191017T220806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210408T191627Z
UID:17365-1570406400-1570492799@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Book Talk and Discussion: Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet
DESCRIPTION:On October 7\, 2019\, Rumi Forum hosted author Dr. Jon Pahl for a book talk and discussion on his recent biography of Rumi Forum’s Honorary President Fethullah Gulen. The event was moderated by Ori Z. Soltes from Georgetown University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn this first critical biography of Fethullah Gülen in English\, historian Dr. Jon Pahl took us on a journey where we discovered wisdom and controversy\, from 1940’s Turkey to the U.S. in the twenty-first century. Dr. Pahl told the story of a pious Muslim boy from a tiny and remote Turkish village who on the one hand has inspired a global movement of millions of individuals dedicated to literacy\, social enterprise\, and interreligious dialogue\, but who on the other hand has been monitored by Turkish police\, seen as a threat by autocrats\, and recently declared number one enemy by the current Turkish government. With lively prose and extensive research\, Dr. Pahl traces Fethullah Gülen’s life and thought in its contexts\, states clearly his own positions\, and then lets readers draw their own conclusions from the evidence about this undeniably significant historical figure.In his book\, Dr. Pahl weaves this fascinating life into a narrative marked by five key elements\, patterns\, or relationships in Gülen’s life: integrity of participation in the nonviolent practices of Islam; principled pluralism—manifest in a commitment to dialogue; engaged empathy—deep feeling for the suffering of the world\, and willingness to engage on behalf of alleviating that suffering; a commitment to spiritual and scientific literacy; and an organizational model of social enterprise. Dr. Pahl\, a strong believer of religions as catalysts for peace\, crafts through the story of Gülen and the Hizmet Movement an introduction to Islam for non-Muslim readers\, for the questions he brings to Gülen’s life story are also the questions others bring to Islam more broadly.   \n\n\n\nAuthor and Speaker: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJon Pahl is a historian of religions\, a public theologian\, and an award-winning teacher\, pastor\, and community activist. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Dr. Pahl has spoken with audiences around the globe\, in addition to his work with diverse community groups. Dr. Pahl is the author or editor of six books\, including “Shopping Malls and Other Sacred Spaces: Putting God in Place” (Wipf and Stock) and “Empire of Sacrifice: The Religious Origins of American Violence” (NYU). He is working on a book with the title “A Coming Religious Peace.”
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/book-talk-and-discussion-fethullah-gulen-a-life-of-hizmet/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RumiForumSpeakerSeries.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20190814T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20190814T203000
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20190814T194338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211214T194056Z
UID:17390-1565809200-1565814600@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: "Religious Freedom and Minority Rights"
DESCRIPTION:On Wednesday\, August 14\, 2019\, Rumi Forum of Maryland and America Turkish Friendship Association organized an Abrahamic Panel-interfaith discussion and Eid-al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) reception. Religious Freedom and Minority Rights were addressed from the lens of Abrahamic faiths’ perspectives.   \nAbraham`s Tent initiative provided space for people of different religious and cultural traditions to get to know one another through casual conversation starting with the occasion of the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) celebration. Through this event\, people of different religious and cultural traditions joined hands to get to know one another and sought to build a community around it. \nSpeakers: \nRabbi Amy Scheinerman is a teacher\, writer\, and hospice chaplain for the Jewish Federation of Howard County. She is a former trustee on the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR)\, former president of the Baltimore Board of Rabbis\, a current member of the CCAR Responsa Committee\, and editor of the Torah Commentary column of the CCAR newsletter. Her recent book\, The Talmud of Relationships (Volume 1: God\, Self\, and Family & Volume 2: The Jewish Community and Beyond)\, was honored as a finalist in the Jewish Book Council’s 2018 National Jewish Book Awards. She also teaches in a variety of venues\, including the Melton Program in Baltimore. \nRev. Charles Watson\, Jr. is a faculty at the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute in Washington\, DC\, and a graduate of The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina. He received a commission into the U.S. Air Force and obtained the rank of captain. He is a graduate of Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. His career led him to leadership roles as a consultant for DeWolff\, Boberg & Associates\, Inc. and at his current position as the Director of Education for BJC for Religious Liberty in Washington. As a seminary-trained religious liberty advocate and educator\, he routinely speaks across the nation and has published articles in Ethics Daily\, New Baptist Covenant\, and cbfBlog.com.\n  \nDr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad is President of the Minaret of Freedom Institute. He is an internationally known interdisciplinary scientist of Palestinian descent and the author of Signs in the Heavens: A Muslim Astronomer’s Perspective on Religion and Science and he teaches courses on Islamic religion\, history and civilization and religion\, science\, and freedom at Wesley Theological Seminary and a course on “Changing Views of the Universe” at American University. Among others\, Dr. Ahmad has received the “Star Cup for Outstanding Public Service” award from Montgomery County Civic Federation. \n  \nEvent Photo
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/abrahamic-discussion-eid-reception/
LOCATION:MARTI\, 6470 Dobbin Rd.\, Columbia\, MD\, 21045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/unnamed.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="MARTI":MAILTO:dialog@themarti.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190404
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190405
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20190404T194519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211214T173225Z
UID:17392-1554336000-1554422399@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Book Talk: "City of Peace" by Henry G. Brinton
DESCRIPTION:On April 4\, 2019\, Rumi Forum and ATFA hosted Henry Brinton to talk about his new book “City of Peace”.  The talk was on Rev. Henry Brinton’s mystery novel “City of Peace\,” hosted by Rumi Forum\, American Turkish Friendship Association\, and Ezher Mosque. The book features Christians and Muslims in the town of Occoquan\, Virginia\, and is a gripping and fast-paced mystery that will engage people politically and spiritually\, leaving them with fresh insight into how they can overcome polarizing divisions among people of different cultures and faiths. \nSpeakers: \nHenry G. Brinton is an author and a Presbyterian pastor who has written on religion and culture for The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, USA Today\, and Huffington Post. His interfaith work and appreciation for the wisdom of the ancient world began on an archaeological dig in the Galilee region of Israel\, while he was a college student. In his writing and ministry\, Henry is committed to building bridges between people of diverse cultures\, religions\, and political positions.
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/book-event-city-of-peace-by-henry-g-brinton/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Past Events,Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190401
DTSTAMP:20260506T060342
CREATED:20190331T194643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211214T180500Z
UID:17394-1553990400-1554076799@rumiforum.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: "Food and Faith"
DESCRIPTION:On March 31\, 2019\, Rumi Forum organized the Food and Faith event at Sakina Halal Grill in Washington\, DC. Food and Faith both bring people together. Faith traditions have a specific relationship with food. Whether it be the role food plays in daily life or providing food to the needy\, faith traditions recognize this necessity as something more. \nPanelists: \nRev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin\, Sr. began his tenure at the Washington National Cathedral in April 2018. In his role as Canon Missioner\, Dr. Hamlin oversees the Cathedral’s outreach and social justice initiatives. Prior to his arrival at the Cathedral\, Dr. Hamlin served as the Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington\, VA for 22 years. Dr. Hamlin received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (1983) from the Howard University School of Business\, Master of Divinity Degree (1994)\, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Howard University School of Divinity (1996). He has served and been appointed to numerous community\, faith-based and governmental boards\, commissions\, agencies. \nDr. Zulfiqar A. Kazmi is the founder and Executive Director of The Common Ground USA. This organizational network is dedicated to the promotion of peace through educational programs\, workshops\, conferences\, and research. Dr. Kazmi participated and lectured in more than 200 World Peace Conferences including UN co-sponsored seminars\, symposiums\, and convocations. He launched Scandinavian Peace initiatives and convened a series of seminars at The Washington Times. Dr. Kazmi made history offering special prayers and Salaat ul Maghrib during the last Christmas Dinner hosted by President Obama and First Lady at The White House. He is the recipient of the Fairfax County Proclamation 1998. In 2007 he achieved a nomination for America’s highest Civil Award “Benjamin Franklin Award”. \nJodi Balis\, RD has worked for 15 years in the community and public health in the non-profit sector as a culinary educator\, dietitian\, and nutrition director\, where she implemented cooking and wellness programs for underserved communities in the DC region\, and worked to ensure access to healthy food. Jodi recently pivoted in her career and is now a personal chef\, culinary educator\, bodyworker\, and ritual facilitator. Jodi co-creates Food Rituals with groups and individuals\, which is a visual meditation and embodiment practice that marks milestone moments in life through the collaborative and artful arrangement of vibrant colorful food\, herbs\, spices\, and stones. Jodi is also the creator and host of the podcast Purple Honey\, a gathering of female voices\, where Jewish wisdom and feminine spirituality are explored through the lens of health and wellness. \nFull Event Video  \n\n  \nEvent Photo
URL:https://rumiforum.org/event/food-and-faith-at-sakina-halal-grill/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Panel Discussions,Past Events,Speaker Series
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END:VCALENDAR