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

Panel Discussion: “Abrahamic Perspectives on Preserving the Environment”
2018-04-21 17:00 - 18:30 UTC | 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.

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

Fairfax Unity Walk
2018-05-06 | VA

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.

Religious Literacy: "Leil Shavu'ot and Suhoor"
2018-05-20 02:00 - 04:00 UTC | 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.

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.

Latest Trends in Global Rise in Religious Restrictions
2018-09-13 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | 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.).

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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Jesus in Islam, Lecture & Book Signing Event
2018-10-05 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | 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.

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.

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

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.

Book Event: God and the Goalposts: A Brief History of Religion, Sports, Politics, War, and Art
2018-11-14 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | 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

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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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 UTC | 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.

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.

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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Book Talk: "City of Peace" by Henry G. Brinton
2019-04-04 | VA
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.
Speakers:
Henry 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.

Rumi Forum, ATFA, and Ezher Mosque Present: Book Event: City of Peace by Henry G. Brinton
2019-04-04 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | ATFA, 14120 Newbrook Dr., Chantilly, VA, 20151, United States
Register Here
All are invited to a talk on the 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 differing cultures and faiths.
Copies of “City of Peace” will be available for purchase.
Speakers:
Henry 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.

Rumi Forum presents: Sultan and the Saint Film Screening
2019-04-07 12:30 - 14:30 UTC | Little River United Church of Christ (LRUCC), 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 22003, United States
Register Here
Rumi Forum is inviting you to the docudrama film screening of “The Sultan and the Saint” followed by a discussion.
Two men of faith, one a traveling Christian preacher, the other the ruler of a Muslim Empire, bucked a century of war, distrust, and insidious propaganda in a search for mutual respect and common ground. It is the story of Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, and their meeting on a bloody battlefield during the period of Christian- Muslim conflict known as the Crusades.
This remarkable encounter and the commitment to peace of the two men behind it sucked the venom out of the Crusades and changed the relationship between Muslims and Christians. Featuring dramatic reenactments and interviews with renowned scholars, this amazing story is brought to life. Join us to learn about this remarkable exchange and the great risk they took for peace.

Annual Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk 2019
2019-04-28 | VA
The Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk 2019 was held on April 28th, 2019 with the mission of bringing faith communities together to appreciate each other and feel part of the same whole despite our differences.
The walk took place on April 28th between 2 PM and 5 PM. The group started at the Fairfax United Methodist Church and continued by visiting Christian Science Church, Daniels Run Peace Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, Truro Anglican Church, Fairfax Presbyterian Church, Fairfax Baptist Church, and end with the Christ Lutheran Church. At each stop, the group spent 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 space in some of the churches along this route.

Annual Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk 2019
2019-04-28 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Ave, Fairfax , VA, 22030
The Fairfax Interfaith Friendship Walk 2019 will be held on April 28th, 2019 with the mission of bringing faith communities together to appreciate each other and feel part of the same whole despite our differences.
REGISTER HERE
The walk will take place on April 28th 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.

Rumi Forum Presents: Culturally Muslim?
2019-05-01 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Rumi Forum, 2000 P Street NW Suite #503, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
Muslims make up about 1% of the American public, but there are also many Americans who have a connection to Islam but do not personally identify as Muslim. This presentation will discuss which Americans are most likely to personally know someone who is Muslim, intermarried couples, people who were raised Muslim but no longer identify, and people who identify as Muslim but say religion is not very important to them. How common are there situations? Are these patterns more common among some demographic groups than others?
REGISTER HERE
Speaker:
Besheer Mohamed is a Senior Researcher at Pew Research Center. He is an expert on the views, demographic profile and size of U.S. Muslim communities. He also has extensive experience with computational science, as well as developing best practices for quantitative data collection on small populations. Mohamed has appeared in numerous media outlets and regularly briefs policymakers, academics and other important stakeholders. He has also published in traditional academic publications through Oxford University Press and NYU Press, along with the American Sociological Association’s magazine, Contexts. He received his doctorate in sociology and master’s degree in Middle East Studies from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Cornell University.

Rumi Forum Co-sponsors: Our Muslim Neighbors
2019-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Busboys and Poets, 450 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
REGISTER HERE
Co-sponsors:
Shoulder2Shoulder Campaign
Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT)
Foundation for Ethnic Understanding

Islam is the second largest religion in the world. In America, Muslims are becoming our neighbors, co-workers, community leaders, caregivers and, in many cases, members of our families. Yet unfounded bigotry and fear are on the rise. Combatting that dangerous trend can be as easy as enjoying the dramatic—sometimes suspenseful and sometimes funny—memoir of Muslim peacemaker Victor Begg. His new memoir combines the compelling personal narrative in the novel The Namesake with the sharp advocacy on behalf of a minority community found in Hillbilly Elegy.

Speaker:
Victor Begg is a retired entrepreneur. He operated a chain of furniture stores in Metro-Detroit and now spends much of his time in community service and as a Muslim activist at the local and national levels. Over the years, Mr. Begg was a leader in Metro-Detroit, often serving as a liaison between the Michigan Muslim community and local, regional, and national public, civic and interfaith groups. He is a co-founder of the Muslim Unity Center Mosque in Bloomfield Hills, an Emeritus Board Member of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion, and co-founder of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro-Detroit. He has appeared on numerous media outlets, including ABC, FOX, NPR, LA Times, CBS, Voice of America, and USA Today, and his opinion editorials on Muslim issues frequently appears in Detroit and the Treasure Coast newspapers nationwide. Mr. Begg holds an MBA from the University of Detroit.

A Celebration Of The Divine
2019-06-30 | VA
On June 30, 2019, Rumi Forum and Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT) organized a spiritual music day as to celebrate our love for the divine. A diverse selection of music presented by different vocals and instrumental ensembles brought the ultimate resonation.
The program included:

1. “Hal’luyah” by David and Debbie Friedman, Congregation Adat Reyim
2. “Bar’chu” by Craig Taubman, Congregation Adat Reyim
3. “My Sultan and God Give me your Love” by Rumi Forum Sufi group
4. “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” by McDonald and Welch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
5. “His Hands” by Marguerite Driessen and Cory Jorgensen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
6. “This little light of mine” by Blair Pettyjohn, Daniels Run Peace Church
7. “Raag Shuddha Sarang” by Koyel Ghosal, Hindu faith

Rumi Forum and JAMAAT Present: A Celebration of the Divine: An Interfaith Music Event!
2019-06-30 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | ATFA, 14120 Newbrook Dr., Chantilly, VA, 20151, United States
Register Here
Program
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Presentations
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Open Mic: Participants May Read Poems, Sing, or Pray
Join us for an afternoon of spiritual music as we celebrate our love for the divine!
Co-sponsors:
American Turkish Friendship Association
Congregation Adat Reyim
Foundation for Ethnic Understanding

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.

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Unity Walk 2019
2019-09-08 | VA
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.
