Rumi Forum

Panel Discussion: "Food and Faith"
2019-03-31 | VA
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.
Panelists:
Rev. 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.
Dr. 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”.
Jodi 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.
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Discussion: "A Survey about American Muslims
2019-03-06 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Rumi Forum, 2000 P Street NW Suite #503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
On March 6, 2019, Rumi Forum hosted American Muslim Institute’s (AMI) Executive Director Shahid Rahman as he discussed a recent study looking at the perception of American Muslims in the USA and the DMV area. The research examines the public’s perceptions of Muslim Americans. The “Americans’ Views of Muslims Survey” was conducted leading up to the midterm elections in November 2018 – a time period when myths and misinformation about Muslims have figured prominently in some local, state, and federal elections. The research includes insight into public perceptions of Muslim Americans at both the national and local levels in Houston, Orlando, Tampa, and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Speaker:
Shahid Rahman is the executive director of the American Muslim Institution (AMI). He has a Master’s in Islamic Studies. Prior to joining our AMI, he was the president of Teach and Travel.

The Jewish-Islamic Dialogue Society of Washington (JIDS) and the Rumi Forum jointly present: Getting Closer to God: Jewish and Muslim Perspectives on Mysticism
2019-01-27 14:00 - 17:00 | Islamic Society of the Washington Area, 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd, Silver Spring, MD, 20905, United States
Mysticism plays an important role in the spirituality of both Judaism and Islam. It is central to developing our relationship with God and in inspiring us to serve humankind. In this session, we’ll consider both the Jewish and Muslim mystical traditions first by hearing from devoted practitioners and then by engaging in small-group discussions. The session will conclude with a short program honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day; the United Nations has recognized January 27th as such since 2005.
Panelists:
Gabriel Abasi is a lifelong Sufi who has graced the DC-area interfaith community over the years with a devotion to selfless service and a commitment to mysticism. This devotion to service recently inspired him to work on an exciting concept called “The Culture of Compassion,” which includes creative use of blogs, social media and other forms of technology to heal the planet.
Herb Levy is an experienced teacher of Kabbalah classes at multiple D.C.-area venues and a lay leader of Kol Ami, a N. VA. Reconstructionist Jewish Community. For the last 18 years, Herb has been active in Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Jewish Community. During that period, he has led over 100 services and has taught Kabbalah classes both at Kol Ami and at a metaphysical bookstore in Old Town, Alexandria called the Sacred Circle. He currently serves as Treasurer of the JIDS Board of Directors.
Andra Baylus is one of DC’s leading interfaith organizers and a disciple of Meher Baba, a Sufi-inspired spiritual leader. Andra has served as President of the Greater-Washington Muslim Jewish Forum and has been active in various other interfaith and bridge-building organizations. Her service is inspired by a deep love for mysticism, generally, and for the teachings of Sufi spiritual master Meher Baba in particular. A former elementary school teacher, Andra has combined her passion for service, spirituality, and teaching to become a truly powerful force for peace in our community.

Panel Discussion: "Getting Closer to God"
2019-01-27 | VA
On January 27, 2019, Rumi Forum and The Jewish-Islamic Dialogue Society of Washington (JIDS) held a joint event on Jewish and Muslim Perspectives on Mysticism at the Islamic Society of the Washington Area (ISWA). Mysticism plays an important role in the spirituality of both Judaism and Islam. It is central to developing our relationship with God and in inspiring us to serve humankind. In this session, we’ll consider both the Jewish and Muslim mystical traditions first by hearing from devoted practitioners and then by engaging in small-group discussions.
Panelists:
Gabriel Abasi is a lifelong Sufi who has graced the DC-area interfaith community over the years with a devotion to selfless service and a commitment to mysticism. This devotion to service recently inspired him to work on an exciting concept called “The Culture of Compassion,” which includes creative use of blogs, social media, and other forms of technology to heal the planet.
Herb Levy is an experienced teacher of Kabbalah classes at multiple D.C.-area venues and a lay leader of Kol Ami, a Northern VA Reconstructionist Jewish Community. For the last 18 years, Herb has been active in Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Jewish Community. During that period, he has led over 100 services and has taught Kabbalah classes both at Kol Ami and at a metaphysical bookstore in Old Town, Alexandria called the Sacred Circle. He currently serves as Treasurer of the JIDS Board of Directors.
Andra Baylus is one of DC’s leading interfaith organizers and a disciple of Meher Baba, a Sufi-inspired spiritual leader. Andra has served as President of the Greater Washington Muslim Jewish Forum and has been active in various other interfaith and bridge-building organizations. Her service is inspired by a deep love for mysticism, generally, and for the teachings of Sufi spiritual master Meher Baba in particular. A former elementary school teacher, Andra has combined her passion for service, spirituality, and teaching to become a truly powerful force for peace in our community.
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Book Event: God and the Goalposts: A Brief History of Religion, Sports, Politics, War, and Art
2018-11-14 12:00 - 13:30 | Rumi Forum, Washington DC, 2000 P st NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
God and the Goalposts: A brief History of Religion, Sports, Politics, War, and Art
The interpenetration of sports and religion is as old as history and as wide as geography. The angles of interpenetration have been diverse—from the Bible to the Iliad and the Aeneid, from gladiatorial contests to the Crusades to chess, from the Mayan game of pok-a-pok to Lacrosse to contemporary NBA championship games. Moreover, the sports/religion matrix has always been interwoven with politics (from which religion has rarely strayed) and war (for which sports has always offered a surrogate)—and art (which captures so much of this in words and images—from Greek vase paintings to contemporary films. Give this subject an hour and you will never watch a game the same way again.
Speaker/Author:
Ori Z. Soltes teaches art history, theology, philosophy and political history at Georgetown University. He is the author of over 280 books, articles, exhibition catalogs, and essays on a variety of topics. Recent books 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 of the Middle East; and most recently, God and the Goalposts: A Brief History of Sports, Religion, Politics, War and Art. Soltes is an enthusiastic sports fan, and an avid basketball player a few days a week—although God has rarely intervened to guide his jump shot.
To Register Click Here

Community Thanksgiving Dinner
2018-11-13 | ATFA, 14120 Newbrook Dr., Chantilly, VA, 20151, United States
Rumi Forum sponsored the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner organized by ATFA Fairfax on November 13 in Fairfax, VA. The dinner was attended by clergy, community leaders, and government officials.

Embracing the Other: What Gets in the Way?
2018-11-04 | VA
On November 4, 2018, Rumi Forum partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF) to hold a round-table discussion of the origins and consequences of prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination against others. We discussed the meanings of the various terms currently used as we explore our feelings toward several different kinds of groups and our treatment of members of those groups

2018-10-14 | VA
Rumi Forum was proud to sponsor this year’s Unity Walk organized by the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington on October 14th. Rumi Forum had a table at the resource fair and Rumi Forum volunteers participated in the walk.

Jesus in Islam, Lecture & Book Signing Event
2018-10-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Ezher Mosque, 10359 B Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA, 22030
Dr. Saritoprak’s talk will examine the place of Jesus in the Qu’ran and Hadiths. He will explore Islamic theological perspectives on Jesus, including classical and contemporary theologians’ views of Jesus. Muslims, like Christians, believe in the second coming of Jesus (in Islam, known as the descent of Jesus). Dr. Saritoprak will also discuss the different theological views of the descent. Finally, he will address the important role that Jesus can play in interfaith dialogue.
Speaker/Author:
Zeki Saritoprak, Ph.D., 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). His He is currently preparing a book on Islamic spirituality tentatively titled Islamic Spirituality: Theology and Practice for the Modern World.

Book Talk: "Jesus in Islam"
2018-10-05 | VA
On October 5, 2018, Dr. Zeki Saritoprak’s talk examined the place of Jesus in the Qu’ran and Hadiths. He explored Islamic theological perspectives on Jesus, including classical and contemporary theologians’ views of Jesus. Dr. Saritoprak also discussed the different theological views of the descent. Finally, he addressed the important role that Jesus can play in interfaith dialogue.
About the Author:
Zeki Saritoprak, Ph.D., 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.
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Latest Trends in Global Rise in Religious Restrictions
2018-09-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Rumi Forum, Washington DC, 2000 P st NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
Dr. Katayoun Kishi, Research Associate at Pew Research Center, will present findings from the ninth in a series of reports by Pew Research Center analyzing the extent to which governments and societies around the world impinge on religious beliefs and practices. To measure global restrictions on religion in 2016 – the most recent year for which data are available – the study, released in June 2018, ranks 198 countries and territories by their levels of government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion.
Speaker:
Katayoun Mirfendereski Kishi is a research associate at Pew Research Center. She oversees the Center’s annual study on global restrictions on religion. Her previous work has included research on topics such as identity politics and religion, international conflict, survey research, and food security. Before joining Pew Research Center, Kishi held positions at the United States Institute of Peace and the office of the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland. She earned a doctorate in government and politics, with a concentration in comparative politics and quantitative methodology, from the University of Maryland.
Moderator:
Kristen Looney is director of the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute. Kristen works closely with the President of the Freedom Forum Institute to full the mission of the center and to oversee the day-to-day operations of the following four program areas: Educating Leaders, Promoting Civil Dialogue, Engaging the Public, and Transforming Schools. From 2012 to 2016, Kristen was the head of programs and partnerships for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation in the United States. Previously, Kristen served as chaplain and department chair of religious studies at St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore, Maryland and St. Timothy’s School in Stevenson, Maryland. Prior, Kristen served as clergy in parishes in Florida, California, and New York. Kristen is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Maryland. She is an awarded graduate of Yale Divinity School (M.Div.).

Rumi Forum Volunteers at the Lamb Center
2018-06-22 | VA
Rumi Forum volunteers served lunch at the Lamb Center on June 6. Rumi Forum volunteered at a food bank at The Lamb Center in Fairfax. The Lamb Center is considered a home and a place of refuge to many unfortunate individuals in Fairfax. We were honored to meet these individuals and serve them with our brothers and sisters at The Lamb Center.

Religious Literacy: "Leil Shavu'ot and Suhoor"
2018-05-20 02:00 - 04:00 | Ohr Kodesh Temple, 8300 Meadowbrook Ln, Chevy Chase , Maryland , 20815
Rumi Forum was hosted by the Ohr Kodesh Congregation on May 20, 2018, for a joint celebration of Shavu’ot and Suhoor.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot, also known as “A Night of Jewish Learning,” is an opportunity to show that participants are ready to receive the Torah. Throughout the night, people will gather to study the sacred text, and facilitate a deeper connection with their faith. By staying awake during the anniversary of the Revelation, followers signal to the heavens that they are ready to receive blessings from above. In the morning, many share a Suhoor meal to precede their Ramadan fast.
Rumi Forum prides itself on its interfaith collaborations. We find it increasingly important to celebrate events in conjunction with faith-based communities. There is no better way to connect with another by sharing the joy your faith brings. Oftentimes, the prevailing commonalities which can bridge neighborhoods, are overshadowed by unfounded assumptions. Celebrate common points that everyone, regardless of race, gender, and sexuality can enjoy. By inspiring community dialogue, we hope to take another step forward in creating a peaceful, tolerant, environment for all to enjoy.

Voices of the Heart: Time
2018-05-14 | VA
Voices of the heart table discussion series continued with the theme of time on April 27, 2018. Participants talked about time from their faith and cultural perspectives.

Fairfax Unity Walk
2018-05-06 | VA

Voices of the Heart: Time
2018-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Ezher Mosque, 10359 B Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA, 22030

Panel Discussion: “Abrahamic Perspectives on Preserving the Environment”
2018-04-21 17:00 - 18:30 | Congregation Ner Shalom , 14010 Spriggs Rd., Woodbridge, VA, 22193, United States
On April 21st, 2018, Rumi Forum organized an interfaith conversation on the environment from the perspectives of the three Abrahamic religions.
The biblical starting point for any discussion of religious environmental stewardship is anchored around the Book of Genesis. Likewise, The Holy Qur’an and Sunnah are a guiding light for Muslims to promote sustainable development within their home countries and around the world. In modern times, however, the Abrahamic vision of the relationship between God, man, and nature becomes muddled. In light of these contemporary confusions about the true nature of stewardship, and because the concept is so central to the concern of religious tradition, this panel will hope to shed light on the common concerns, beliefs, and aspirations of environmental stewardship.
Speakers:

Elizabeth (Lizz) Goldstein is a native of Branford, CT, in New Haven county. She completed her undergraduate studies in 2010 at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, where she studied the sociology and anthropology of violence and how the environment plays a role in violent conflicts. She spent the Fall 2008 semester in Israel at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. In 2016, Lizz graduated from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Yonkers, NY in May as an ordained rabbi. She moved down to Virginia to serve as the rabbi of Congregation Ner Shalom shortly after ordination. As an activist, Lizz has been involved in many Tikkun Olam projects, was a Global Justice Fellow with American Jewish World Service, and has advocated on behalf of the environment, as well as for people. She is dedicated to a career of drawing from Jewish history and values to work toward social justice and is happy to share some of those lessons and values with others.

Taalibah Hassan, M.Ed., has been a guest speaker on Islam since the 1980’s and is an experienced interfaith dialogue facilitator. She co-authored the chapter “Dialogue as A Way to Know the Other,” in the book Faithful Neighbors (2016). Taalibah serves on the Board of Directors of the Muslim Association of Virginia, which has the largest mosque in Prince William County. She is the Vice President. The Muslim Association of Virginia not only oversees the daily, Friday Congregational, and Holiday Eid prayers but also Qur’an classes and has both Boy and Girl Scout troops. The Association has a variety of programs that support the religious and social needs of the community, of more than three thousand people. She also chairs the Interfaith committee that holds several programs each year to educate people about Islam and Muslims. Taalibah has a Graduate Certificate in Muslim-Christian Studies from the Washington Theological Consortium. She is currently enrolled at Hartford Seminary in the Imam and Muslim Community Leadership Certificate program. She is a retired Biology teacher and resides in Dale City with her husband of forty –one years and has two adult children.

Rev. Dr. Lisa Kenkeremath serves as Manassas Presbyterian Interim Pastor. She has served pastorates in the Washington, DC area since 2001, most recently as Interim Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield, VA. She holds M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, respectively, and has studied in Jerusalem and Aberdeen, Scotland. She is also the author of the book, Relentless Mercy, which is a collection of sermons seeking to illuminate the ways in which God, in mercy, acts to touch, heal, and repair our broken hearts and broken world. Lisa and her husband, Deepak Kenkeremath, have two adult sons and live in Falls Church, VA.

Welcoming the Stranger: How can Faith and Democracy Work Together?
2018-04-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Georgetown Presbyterian Church, 3115 P St NW, Washington, Washington D.C., 20007, United States

Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk 2018
2018-04-06 | VA
The Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk 2018 will be held on May 6th, 2018 with the mission of bringing faith communities together to appreciate each other and feel part of the same whole despite our differences.
May 6th, 2018
2 PM to 5 PM
Fairfax United Methodist Church
10300 Stratford Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030
REGISTER HERE
The walk will take place on May 6th between 2 PM and 5 PM. The group will start at the Fairfax United Methodist Church and will continue by visiting Christian Science Church, Daniels Run Peace Church (also hosting the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia), Ezher Mosque, Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, Truro Anglican Church, Fairfax Presbyterian Church, Fairfax Baptist Church (also hosting the Calvary Hill Baptist Church), and end with the Christ Lutheran Church. At each stop, the group will spend 5 minutes learning about that faith tradition. Please note that since there was no Jewish temple or a non-Abrahamic place of worship within the walking distance, those faith traditions were invited to have a space in some of the churches along this route.
Participants will park at the Fairfax United Methodist before the walk. When the walk ends at the Christ Lutheran, there will be a shuttle bus service to the Fairfax United Methodist.
You can join the walk starting from the Fairfax Presbyterian as well. However there will be no shuttle service from Christ Lutheran back to the Fairfax Presbyterian.

Panel Discussion: "Exploring an Interfaith Connection Between Faith and Food"
2018-03-29 | US Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, 20250, United States
Rumi Forum assisted the US Department of Agriculture with organizing an Abrahamic panel of faith and food on March 29, 2018. The panel discussion, titled “Faith and Food: Exploring an Interfaith Connection Between Faith and Food“, examined the deep connection that faith communities have with food and agriculture.
Dr. Herbert Brown from Black Church Food Security Network, Imam Albert Sabir from the Nation’s Mosque, and Cantor Hinda Labovitz from Ohr Kodesh Congregation talked about the connection between faith and food. The panel was moderated by Peter Kovach.

Interfaith Dialogue: Maintaining Religious Identity in a New Culture
2018-03-25 15:00 - 17:00 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, VA, 22124

Challenges to Christianity in America
2018-03-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Westminster Church, 400 I Street SW20024, Washington, DC, 20024, United States

Panel Discussion: "Challenges to Christianity in the US-Lessons for other faith communities"
2018-03-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Westminster Church, 400 I Street SW20024, Washington, DC, 20024, United States
On March 22nd, 2018 we discussed what challenges Christianity faces in 21st century America with a group of distinguished panelists.

Rumi Forum and faith leaders discussed the challenges and lessons of Christianity in America. On March 22nd, panelists presented their own narratives and facilitated strategical interfaith applications for the community. Speakers included Joel Rainey, lead pastor of Covenant Church in Shepherdstown West Virginia, Brian Hamilton, co-pastor of Westminister DC and former professor of sociology in addition to Patrick Carolan, executive director of the Franciscan Action Network and co-founder of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. The event was moderated by William Dinges who shared his expertise in religion in America.
Speakers:
Joel Rainey, the lead pastor of Covenant Church in Shepherdstown West Virginia, is located in the tri-state area of Maryland, West Virginia, and the NOVA/Washington DC area. The author of three books, Dr. Rainey is a former missionary and evangelical denominational executive with intercultural experience on 5 continents. He has led efforts to plant more than 100 new evangelical churches in the US and around the world. He lives in Shepherdstown with his wife Amy and their three children.

Brian Hamilton, co-pastor of Westminster DC with his partner Ruth, was ordained on Sept. 9, 1992, and has served parishes in Philadelphia, Detroit, and Westminster. He’s a second-career pastor, working before as a sociology professor and community developer. Brian grew up in Princeton, Maine. He received his BA in Sociology from Eastern Baptist College. He received his Master of Divinity from Union Theological in New York City.

Patrick Carolan has been executive director of the Franciscan Action Network since 2010. He is also a co-founder of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, an organization working on global climate justice issues as well as Faithful Democracy, a faith coalition focused on the issue of Money in Politics, working to educate on the corruptive influence of big money on our democracy. He is a recipient of the 2015 White House Champion for Change Award for his work in the Climate Change arena, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Earth Ethics and is personally dedicated to social justice to bring about individual and societal transformation.

William D. Dinges is an Ordinary Professor of Religious Studies in the School of Theology and Religious Studies and a fellow of the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at The Catholic University of America. He received his Ph.D. in American Studies in 1983 from the University of Kansas. He has been on the faculty at Catholic University for the past thirty-one years. Dr. Dinges’ research interests include a variety of religion and culture topics: Religion in America (Catholicism in particular), religious movements, religion and globalization, fundamentalism, and religion and ecology. He has published articles on these and related topics in Sociological Analysis, U.S. Catholic Historian, Journal of Contemporary Religion, Religion and American Culture, The Way, The Living Light, America, Commonweal, and in other scholarly and popular journals and anthologies.

International Festival of Language and Culture USA 2018
2018-03-22 | VA
The International Festival of Language and Culture USA 2018 was held at The Hylton Performing Arts Center of George Mason University on April 20, 2018. On behalf of the Rumi Forum, in collaboration with the Enes Kanter Light Foundation, we would like to invite you to the 16th annual International Festival of Language and Culture. We are excited to announce that this year over 100 students from 20 countries will perform “Colors of the World”. During the show, audience members will be exposed to an array of cultural traditions, dance, songs, and poetry. The multicultural diversity of our world, as well as the extraordinary youth talent, are sure to inspire dialogue and change in our own communities. We are honored to make D.C. one of the many world capitals co-hosting the 16th annual International Festival of Language and Culture. We hope to see you there!

Voices of the Heart: Forgiveness
2018-03-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Ezher Mosque, 10359 B Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA, 22030

Religious Literacy: "Jews-A Success Story: Lessons for other Minorities"
2018-03-15 11:45 - 13:15 | Rumi Forum, 2000 P Street NW Suite #503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
On March 15th Department Chair of Religion at George Washington University, Robert Eisen joined the Rumi Forum for a presentation on Jews and how they have survived centuries of persecution and thrived in the West.
Date:
Thursday, March 15th, 2018
Time:
11:45-12:15 (Reception)
12:15-1:15 (Program)
Location:
Rumi Forum
2000 P St. NW
Suite #503
Washington, DC 20036

Over time, Jews have endured great hardships and overcome challenging obstacles in order to be a successful minority religion in the West. Today, Jews make up roughly 2% of the total population in North America while other Western countries such as France (2%), and the United Kingdom (2%) retain similar shares of the global Jewish population. From the adversities that accompany maintaining a religious minority identity, Jews have amassed achievements in economic, intellectual and artistic spheres. In this talk, Professor Robert Eisen will share insights from a book he is currently writing about this occurrence. He will explain from an academic standpoint how Jewish religion and culture evolved over the centuries and prepared Jews for the challenges of the modern period. He will also attempt to share insights about what people from other cultures can learn from the success of Jews in the modern West.

Speaker:
Robert Eisen is a Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies and Chair of the Department of Religion. The focus of his most recent research approaches to peace and violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Eisen is the author of four books that reflect his varied interests: Gersonides on Providence, Covenant, and the Chosen People (State University of New York Press, 1995); The Book of Job in Medieval Jewish Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2004); The Peace and Violence of Judaism: From the Bible to Modern Zionism (Oxford University Press, 2011); Religious Zionism, Jewish Law, and the Morality of War (Oxford University Press, 2017). He also co-edited Philosophers and the Jewish Bible (University of Maryland Press, 2008) with Charles Manekin. Eisen is currently working on a book about why Jews have been remarkably successful in the modern Western world economically, intellectually, and culturally. Eisen has received a number of grants and awards to support his research, including a Fulbright research grant at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1999-2000. He was also given a teaching award in 2005 from George Washington University in recognition of his contributions in the classroom. Eisen is active in adult education initiatives. He served from 1991-2008 on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Jewish Studies which brings lecturers to Washington from academic institutions all over the world.

Jews—A Success Story: Lessons for other Minorities
2018-03-15 11:30 - 13:15 | Rumi Forum, 2000 P Street NW Suite #503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States

Interfaith Dialogue: Maintaining Religious Identity in a New Culture
2018-02-14 | VA
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, in partnership with the Rumi Forum, hosted this small-table discussion event on March 25th, 2018.

Sunday, March 25th, 2018

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax
2709 Hunter Mill Rd.
Oakton, VA 22124

We hosted small-table discussions of complex issues of adapting to American society. The dialogue focused on interfaith interaction with regard to belief systems. Conversations were facilitated by representatives from UUCF and the Rumi Forum.

Voices of the Heart: Forgiveness
2018-02-07 | VA
On Friday, March 16th we started our new small discussion series: Voices of the Heart. The first topic we discussed was centred around forgiveness.
March 16th, 2018

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ezher Mosque
10359 B Democracy Lane
Fairfax VA 22030

Learn more and do more with our new discussion series: Voices of the Heart. This new initiative is meant for you and others to gain a deeper understanding of the people who surround you and for you to present to them your perspective on your faith, your life, and your traditions. This small round table discussion setting is designed for attendees to meet one another and immerse themselves in conversations about social problems, community issues, and other topics relevant to society from the basis of their faith or non-faith.
“The lamps are different, but the light is the same” ~ Rumi
Our first discussion topic will center around forgiveness and its importance. What has God taught us about forgiveness? How do we practice that in our daily lives? To be able to forgive is a skill that is extremely powerful because it not only is the healthiest thing that you can do for your physiology and your spirituality but in that, you have the opportunity to practice patience, maturity, and strength. As humans we are all prone to make mistakes that might intentionally or unintentionally hurt those around us, so how do we go about practicing this act of self-love and peace? What do our traditions tell us and what can we teach others? Join us March 2nd as we explore this topic!
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Challenges of Survival: Religious Minority Communities in a Secular Melting Pot Nation
2018-01-21 14:30 - 17:00 | Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmoreland St., Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
