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Cordoba Initiative Newsletter - December 2014
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Amplifying Voices of Moderation
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Imam Feisal discusses Fighting ISIS and Extremism, Manhasset, NY
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December 15, 2014 - Imam Feisal spoke on ISIS and Fighting Extremism at Shelter Rock Forum in Manhasset, New York. The event was hosted by Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock and was followed by a Q&A with Imam Feisal.
In his talk, Imam Feisal explained the many reasons why ISIS is Unislamic and how Islam can and should be used to counter ISIS and other extremist ideology.
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Islam, American Muslim Identity, and Fighting Extremism Across the World
Imam Feisal on Stand Up with Pete Dominick
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Terror not ISIS's sole purpose: Imam Rauf to Unitarian congregation
Article on Imam Feisal's Shelter Rock event in The Island Now
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Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee, New York, NY
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December 15, 2014 - The Cordoba Initiative participated in the second Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee meeting at the Jewish Cultural Center in Manhattan. The Committee serves as a grassroots umbrella body for Muslim-Jewish relations in NYC with the aim of inspiring further collaboration between the two communities.
Matea Gelic from TCI joined Walter Ruby of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Romemu, Muslims for Progressive Values-NY, and Ibrahim Sayar of the Peace Islands Institute, in formulating joint Muslim-Jewish projects and events in the NYC area, designed to promote mutual understanding and appreciative knowledge of the communities. The Committee hopes to initiate more cultural, educational and social-service based events in the future to reflect a shared Muslim-Jewish commitment to help those in need.
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Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, New York, NY
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December 17, 2014 - Naz Georgas and Matea Gelic from TCI joined the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, a group of Muslim and Jewish women, in celebrating and exploring the origins of the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah. In the spirit of the Holiday, participants lit candles on the menorah, sang traditional Hanukkah songs, and indulged in "latkes" (fried potato pancakes) to celebrate the miracle of the oil. The women shared personal narratives about their faiths, and bonded over commonalities and mutual experiences.
The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom aims to build strong relationships between Muslim and Jewish women based on mutual trust and respect, and a shared commitment to battling Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. Its members participate in discussions, social events, and service based projects with the hope of furthering collaboration between the two communities.
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Rephael Stern, Shariah Index Project Manager
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Rafi Stern joined TCI in September as the Shariah Index Project (SIP) Manager. In this role, he is helping Imam Feisal finish the book manuscript, updating the index measuring Muslim states based on their adherence to Islamic governance measures, and organizing promotion and other book-related activities.
He received his Master of Arts in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton and his Bachelor of Arts in History and Pre-Medical Studies from Brandeis University. He has also lived in the Middle East and attended the Qasid Institute for Advanced Arabic in Amman, Jordan. Rafi has a strong background in areas relevant to TCI. He has conducted research for a number of organizations working on and in the Middle East. He has also conducted independent research at the British National Archive in London and at The Israel State Archives in Jerusalem.
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 Many of our Jewish friends are celebrating Hanukkah this week. For Rafi, Hanukkah is definitely one of highlights of the Jewish calendar. In addition to spending time with his family and friends, Rafi enjoys the staples of Hanukkah: eating fried foods (latkes, jelly doughnuts, and just about anything that goes into oil), lighting the menorah, singing traditional Jewish songs, and getting (and giving) presents. Since he grew up in Chicago, he associates Hanukkah with winter, snow, and extremely cold weather. Whether or not this is the climate in which the Maccabees (around whom the story of Hanukkah revolves) lived in second century BCE Palestine is highly doubtful. Regardless, the snowy winter is definitely a central point in most Jewish American experiences of Hanukkah.
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 Moving the Mountain
Now Available in Paperback
Purchase your copy at any of the retailers below, and connect with other readers of Moving the Mountain on Imam Feisal's Facebook page:
Or tweet your insights to:
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Moving the Mountain is Available at the Retailers Below
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To promote interfaith and intercultural peace, respect and mutual understanding:
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2. Support Cordoba Initiative with your donations
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