Panel Discussion: "Religious Freedom and Minority Rights"
2019-08-14 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | MARTI, 6470 Dobbin Rd., Columbia, MD, 21045, United States
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.
Abraham`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.
Speakers:
Rabbi 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.
Rev. 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.

Dr. 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.

Event Photo

Unity Walk 2019
2019-09-08 | DC
On Sunday, September 8th, Rumi Forum participated in the 14th annual Unity Walk where over 1000 people of all faiths and backgrounds came together to celebrate the diversity of the DC metro area. It was a true joy and an insightful experience to have the opportunity to visit 11 different houses of worship, actively engage with participants as well as with members of the clergy, taste delicious traditional foods, and partake in service projects.

Through this platform, participants lift up their hearts and communities. Unity Walk once again reminded all that there are more positive values of compassion and civility than we usually think of. Rumi Forum is honored to be part of this great endeavor for the third time.

Rumi Forum Presents: Rumi Poetry Circle
2019-09-25 18:45 - 20:00 UTC | First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 601 N Vermont St, Arlington, VA, 22203, United States
We invite you to explore the ecstatic poems of Rumi – the13th c. scholar & mystic. All are WELCOME. Your experience with poetry does not matter. We want your curiosity and willingness to explore.
For more info and RSVP click here.
Poetry Circle Lead Explorer:

Sara Ellen Swatt 1st started memorizing poetry 12 years ago as a key component of a healing program for a major crisis. She has continued to memorize poems and incorporates them into her Reiki Practice with cancer patients and the women at N. St. Village Shelter. Sara-Ellen uses poems as an integral part of her Labyrinth Walk Consulting work. She has even used poetry during her 30 years as an independent sales consultant and trainer.

Book Event: "Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet"
2019-10-06 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | DC
Join us for a book signing event with author Dr. Jon Pahl featuring his recent biography of Fethullah Gulen.
REGISTER HERE
In this first critical biography of Fethullah Gülen in English, historian Dr. Jon Pahl takes us on a journey where we discover wisdom and controversy, from 1940’s Turkey to the U.S. in the twenty-first century. Dr. Pahl tells 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.
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.

Book Talk and Discussion: Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet
2019-10-07 | DC
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.

In 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.

Author and Speaker:

Jon 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.”

Book Event: "Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet"
2019-10-07 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Church of the Holy City, 1611 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
Join us for a book signing event with author Dr. Jon Pahl featuring his recent biography of Fethullah Gulen. The event will be moderated by Dr. Ori Z. Soltes from Georgetown University.
REGISTER HERE
In this first critical biography of Fethullah Gülen in English, historian Dr. Jon Pahl takes us on a journey where we discover wisdom and controversy, from 1940’s Turkey to the U.S. in the twenty-first century. Dr. Pahl tells 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.
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.

4th Rumi Poetry Circle
2019-10-30 18:45 - 20:00 UTC | First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 601 N Vermont St, Arlington, VA, 22203, United States
Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi mystic poet is one of the most popular poets of our time.
The Poetry Circle uses Rumi‘s poems as a mindfulness practice.
We welcome you & your friends to this Interfaith mindfulness practice.
Every month we explore 2 Rumi poems.
Your experience with poetry does not matter.
We want your curiosity & willingness to explore.
Our Poetry Circle is a supportive gathering.
Everyone is welcome to participate at their own level of comfort.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
6:45 pm – 7:00 pm Gathering
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Poetry Circle

First Presbyterian Church of Arlington
601 N Vermont St, Arlington, VA 22203
Room 202
5 blocks from Ballston Metro
Free Parking on Premises
Free and Open to the Public – Registration Required (Seats are limited)
Light refreshments will be provided
*First Presbyterian Church is not an official sponsor of the event

Poetry Circle Lead Explorer:

Sara Ellen Swatt 1st started memorizing poetry 12 years ago as a key component of a healing program for a major crisis. She has continued to memorize poems and incorporates them into her Reiki Practice with cancer patients and the women at N. St. Village Shelter. Sara-Ellen uses poems as an integral part of her Labyrinth Walk Consulting work. She has even used poetry during her 30 years as an independent sales consultant and trainer.

Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America
2019-11-13 | DC
A Fresh Perspective on Religious Freedom from One of the Nation’s Top Attorneys.

On 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.

Many 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.
In 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.

Free To Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty In America
2019-11-14 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Rumi Forum, 2000 P Street NW Suite #503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
A Fresh Perspective on Religious Freedom from One of the Nation’s Top Attorneys.
Many 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.
In 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.
“Free to Believe” Book Trailer
REGISTER HERE

Thursday, November 14, 2019
12:30-1:30 pm

Rumi Forum
2000 P St NW, Suite 503,
Washington, DC 20036
Free and Open to the Public – Registration Required

Comparative Reading On Two Masters Of Spirituality: Rumi And Emanuel Swedenborg
2019-11-18 18:30 - 20:30 (Asia/Karachi) | Church of the Holy City, 1611 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
Join us for a comparative reading on the prominent 13th-century Sufi mystic Jelalludin Rumi and renowned 18th-century Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. With Ori Z. Soltes from Georgetown University and Richard Tafel from the Church of the Holy City as speakers, we will discuss personal philosophy, legacy, and impact of these two prominent luminaries.
REGISTER HERE
Monday, November 18, 2019
6:30 pm – 6:50 pm Gathering
6:50 pm – 7:50 pm Discussion
7:50 pm – 8:30 pm Q & A

Church of the Holy City
1611 16th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20009
Free and Open to the Public – Registration Required
Light refreshments will be provided

Religious Literacy Series: Sikh Foundation of Virginia
2020-01-17 | DC
On Friday, January 17, 2020, Rumi Forum visited the Sikh Foundation of Virginia as it’s the first destination of the “Religious Literacy Series”.
We are living in an era where knowledge is power. Considering how transnational and diverse our globe has become, simplistic and inaccurate representation of religion have always found its place among human agencies and understanding. Critical to this matter, we believe there is a need to expand the ability to dispel misinformation and unpleasantness of personal biases. In the meantime, today’s globalized world invites all of us to discern basic tenets of religious traditions in order to enhance social cohesion. Inspired by this understanding, we are honored to launch our Religious Literacy visit series.
Throughout this series, we aim to adapt the fundamental but basic understanding of religions through numerous lenses. As participants gain an informed understanding of belief systems and other worldviews different from their own, religious literacy series will enable them to hear first hand. It should be noted that this series does not intend to educate the participants but designed to assist the progress of recognition of history, central texts (where applicable), beliefs, practices, and manifestations of several world traditions.
Our first destination was the Sikh Foundation of Virginia. The evening featured a great presentation by Mr. Surinder Singh about the Sikh faith, a tour of the Gurdwara, a lively Q&A session, and great food by the hosts.

Celebrating the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week with "Living Harmoniously in an Interfaith World: A Muslim Contribution"
2020-02-04 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | Churchill Center GWU-Gelman Library, 2130 H St NW, Washington, DC, 20052, United States
Celebrating the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week with “Living Harmoniously in an Interfaith World: A Muslim Contribution”
A world of interfaith harmony will not be achieved by religious organizations agreeing on theology. Each faith tradition has its own unique teachings and traditions, and each individual is unique in their own personal understanding of the truth. A durable peace among the diverse peoples of the world will be achieved when individuals become mature in their faith and learn to embrace those from other traditions as fellows of the human family.
The purpose of this program, then, is to raise awareness of the theological and spiritual resources that empower a life of faith in harmony with a world of diverse beliefs and practices and to encourage the development and dissemination of these resources within each faith tradition as a way to elevate the minds, hearts, and actions of people everywhere.
In this program, we invite a Muslim scholar, Dr. Y. Alp Aslandogan, to present the basis for his faith`s contribution to the creation of a peaceful world of interfaith harmony.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020
5:30-7:00 pm
Churchill Center
GWU-Gelman Library
2130 H St NW (1st level)
Washington, DC 20052
Free and Open to the Public – Registration Required
Tickets must be presented at the library entrance.
Light refreshments will be provided.

PROGRAM

5:30 – Registration and Refreshments
5:45 – Welcome by Jaiya Jalla, President, GW Interfaith Council

Greetings by Paula Boland, Executive Director, UNA-NCA

5:55 – Introduction to Twelve Gates Foundation by Thomas Cromwell, Director
6:05 – Introduction to Rumi Forum and presenter by Ibrahim Anli, Executive Director

Presentation by Dr. Y. Alp Aslandogan

6:30 – Q&A

Speaker:

Dr. Y. Alp Aslandogan is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Shared Values. Prior to his current position, Dr. Aslandogan served as the board president of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog in Houston, Texas. In that role, he oversaw the organization of academic as well as grassroots activities of the Institute around topics such as shared values of humanity, social cognition and conflicts, the art of living together, foundations and methodology of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and the role of faithful citizens in a democracy. He recently co-authored a book entitled “The Messenger: Prophet Muhammad and His Life of Compassion” and co-edited a book entitled “Muslim Citizens of the Globalized World”.
Dr. Aslandogan is an author and an editor of the Fountain magazine, and a board member of the Journal of Interreligious Dialogue. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and served as a faculty member at the University of Texas at Arlington, and Prairie View A&M University.

Religious Literacy Series: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2020-03-18 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4911 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
Rumi Forum is honored to launch the Religious Literacy Series. Our second destination will be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We are living in an era where knowledge is power. Considering how transnational and diverse our globe has become, simplistic and inaccurate representation of religion has always found its place among human agencies and understanding. Critical to this matter, we believe there is a need to expand the ability to dispel misinformation and unpleasantness of personal biases. In the meantime, today’s globalized world invites all of us to discern basic tenets of religious traditions in order to enhance social cohesion. Inspired by this understanding, we are honored to launch our Religious Literacy visit series.
Throughout this series, we aim to adapt the fundamental but basic understanding of religions through numerous lenses. As participants gain an informed understanding of belief systems and other world-views different from their own, religious literacy series will enable them to hear first hand. It should be noted that this series does not intend to educate the participants but designed to assist the progress of recognition of history, central texts (where applicable), beliefs, practices, and manifestations of several world traditions.
Please feel free to reach out to k.unver@rumiforum.org or info@rumiforum.org with any additional questions or accessibility needs.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Facing the COVID-19 Challenge with Empathy and Compassion
2020-04-10 | DC
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.

Needless 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

SPEAKER:

Dr. 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Facing the COVID-19 Challenge with Empathy and Compassion
2020-04-10 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi Forum is proud to launch the Coffee Night speaker series. Needless to say, coffee has had a significant place in our lives for ages. Most of us maintain a strong habit of starting the day with it. Some use it anytime, anywhere to boost energy and for many, the popularity of coffee is given. However, what coffee introduces into our lives is not limited to keeping us awake and serving the purpose of a caffeine boost, but also it also characterizes an integral part of social culture.
We often say “Let’s have a cup of coffee” to imply “Let’s have a conversation”. Coffee facilitates many fruitful exchanges, giving it an invaluable place regardless of the context. 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 will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations.
Friday, April 10, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 pm
ONLINE WEBINAR: Link will be provided as you register.
Free and Open to the Public –
SPEAKER:

Dr. 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Americans Immersed in COVID-19 News
2020-04-13 | DC
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.

Needless 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

About the Speaker:

Baxter 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Americans Immersed in COVID-19 News
2020-04-13 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi Forum is proud to launch the Coffee Night speaker series. Needless 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 will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations.
Monday, April 13, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 pm
ONLINE WEBINAR: Link will be provided as you register.
Free and Open to the Public –
About the Speaker:

Baxter 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Faith in American Public Life: Confronting Controversies, Cultivating Common Ground
2020-04-15 | DC
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.

Needless 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

About the Speaker:

Melissa 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.

Rogers 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).

Rogers 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.”

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Faith in American Public Life: Confronting Controversies, Cultivating Common Ground
2020-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi Forum is proud to launch the Coffee Night speaker series. Needless 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 will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 pm
ONLINE WEBINAR: Link will be provided as you register.
Free and Open to the Public –
About the Speaker:

Melissa 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.
Rogers 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).
Rogers 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.”

Virtual Coffee Night Series: The Humanity of Muhammad: A Christian View
2020-04-17 | DC
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.

Needless 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

About the Speaker

Dr. 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: The Humanity of Muhammad: A Christian View
2020-04-17 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi Forum is proud to launch the Coffee Night speaker series. Needless 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 will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations.
Friday, April 17, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 pm
ONLINE WEBINAR: Link will be provided as you register.
Free and Open to the Public –
About the Speaker:
Dr. 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Muslim Women Speak for Themselves
2020-04-20 | DC
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.

Needless 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

About the Speaker

Petra 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Muslim Women Speak for Themselves
2020-04-20 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi Forum is proud to launch the Coffee Night speaker series. Needless 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 will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations.
Monday, April 20, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 pm
ONLINE WEBINAR: Link will be provided as you register.
Free and Open to the Public –

Petra 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.

Multi-faith Supplication
2020-04-22 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Youtube

Virtual Coffee Night Series: United in COVID-19: Rediscovering Pluralism in the Face of a Shared Threat
2020-04-23 | DC
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.

Needless 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

About the Speaker

Dr. 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.

In 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.

Esposito 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

United in COVID-19: Rediscovering Pluralism in the Face of a Shared Threat
2020-04-23 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi Forum is proud to launch the Coffee Night speaker series. Needless 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 will be part of this series and all together we will have enriched conversations.
Thursday, April 23, 2020 6:00 – 7:00 pm
ONLINE WEBINAR: Link will be provided as you register.
Free and Open to the Public –

About the Speaker

Dr. 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.

In 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.
Esposito 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

Healing with Rumi
2020-05-03 17:00 - 18:30 UTC | ONLINE EVENT
Rumi; the great jurist, mystic, poet, and scholar was a pioneer of reconciliation and healing during the time he lived, and continues to inspire hearts and minds to this day. Rumi Forum is proud to announce its special Day of Unity event “Healing with Rumi” where we will reflect on and celebrate this legacy. Please join us for a stimulating journey into Rumi’s universe with three renowned speakers. This webinar is a great opportunity for those interested in religion, mysticism, and poetry to rediscover the healing potential of Rumi’s great example in challenging times.
The Day of Unity (DOU) is an annual, coordinated day of interfaith local, grassroots action and community building around the DC metro area. This year’s Day of Unity will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Interfaith Encounters: A model of building bridges in Israel and Palestine
2020-05-12 | DC
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’.

Based 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.

You can find the whole webinar on our Youtube page.

About the Speaker

Yehuda 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.

Dr. 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.

In 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.

Among 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.

He 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.

Virtual Coffee Night Series: Interfaith Encounters: A model of building bridges in Israel and Palestine
2020-05-12 13:15 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Based 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.

About the Speaker

Yehuda 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.

Dr. 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.

In 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.

Among 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.

He 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.

We Refuse to be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews can make Peace, One Friendship at a Time
2020-07-07 | DC
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.

Sabeeha 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.

Growing 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.

Sabeeha 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.

Speakers of the Event

SABEEHA 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.

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.
