Recent events have, in an unprecedented manner, brought the subject of Islam and Muslims to the forefront of America’s consciousness. Because many in our community realize the impact of misperceptions, and their resultant manifestations—such as harassment and hate crimes—our community has been inundated with requests to give presentations, provide an opportunity for questions and answers, participate in dialogues, provide tours of the mosque, etc.
The Islamic Speakers Bureau was formed in 2002 in order to provide a resource for the community. We maintain a pool of American Muslims who are willing to commit their time and be trained in the art of public speaking. Our training is based on the program developed by NASAB - a program that has been thoroughly researched and strategically developed - we recruit volunteers from the local Muslim community.
The Islamic Speakers Bureau of St. Louis (ISBSTL) is affiliated with the Network of Affiliated Speakers Bureaus (NASAB) and the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis (IFGSTL).
CONTACT THE ISLAMIC SPEAKERS BUREAU: You can contact us at 314-770-1340, fax 314-298-7518, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Included here is our mission statement, the current list of national affiliated speakers bureaus with contact information, and a variety of resources.
There is also a website which maintains a calendar of events and information about the Muslim community in Saint Louis, visit their site at www.stlislam.org
The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis is made up of Muslims from all over the St. Louis metropolis, maintains the Gateway and Darul Islam mosques, and is the host of many open houses and interfaith events. You can contact the Islamic Foundation at 636-394-7878 or visit their website at http://www.ifgstl.org/
NASAB is a national coalition of ISB’s that fosters the sharing and support of the work we do in over 25 cities across America. NASAB is continually working with internationally renowned scholars to critically evaluate and develop the presentation material we use. Visit their site at http://www.ing.org where you will find a great deal of useful information and material you can print for distribution.
NASaB Statement of Mission and Policy
Mission Statement
Our mission is to promote religious freedom through the First Amendment and enhance understanding of the world religions and their contributions to human history.
Preamble
The success of any endeavor is based on the premise on which it is established.
Islam was the foundation upon which a just comprehensive social system was developed, enabling an environment in which government, health, education, social, and science systems flourished. Beginning in 610 CE and reaching its heights through 1200 CE; this era of unequivocal historic success was based on the universal religious premise of divinity and Prophethood.
Likewise in the establishing of our republic, the United States of America, the founding fathers of this nation documented universal idealistic principles. These ideals provide a foundation for all systems required for the formation and success of this republic. The Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers and The Constitution with its Bill of Rights echo and support one another to clarify those principles.
“That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Declaration of Independence
“An entire and perfect union will be the solid foundation of lasting peace: It will secure your religion, liberty, and property; remove the animosities amongst yourselves, and the jealousies and differences betwixt our two kingdoms.” John Jay, The Federalist Papers
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The First Amendment, Constitution of the United States of America
The Network of Affiliated Speakers Bureaus, its members, staff, affiliates and advisors, herein referred to as “NASAB”, adopt the following policies:
Policy 1 - We embrace the First Amendment
NASAB recognizes the ideals and wisdoms of the aforementioned statements. NASAB is founded on the principle of intellectual scholarship and constructive contribution to the society in which we live. NASAB endeavors to develop and offer educational presentations that provide an academic view of Islam’s place in world history and contemporary times as one of the major world religions observed today.
Policy 2 - We honor the trust of the host organization.
NASAB speakers will make presentations for schools and other organizations by invitation only. Our public school system is an evolutionary outgrowth of the public square. It is supported figuratively and literally out of the public trust, and operates under a clearly defined scope, structure and process. NASAB is an external resource operating within the parameters of the public trust through the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and State level requirements to provide religious education within the contexts of world history social sciences. We are committed to being supportive and a resource to the public school system.
As with schools, NASAB speakers will adhere to and operate within the parameters of the public trust, as defined above, for all other organizations in which we’re invited to speak.
Policy 3 - We provide accurate & balanced information relating to Islam and the Muslim world.
Our policy is to provide the most accurate information available through educational presentations. These presentations are developed through comprehensive academic research under the highest standards of intellectual scholarship. Presenters are certified, in that they are required to maintain the requisite understanding of the information presented, maintain a high level of presenter competency, and receive approved uthorization to present under the auspices of NASAB.
Policy 4 - We exemplify Islam in etiquette.
We are committed to exemplifying our faith and religious doctrine in our conduct. When invited to share information about our faith, we will exemplify the values of mutual respect, dignity, decorum and intelligence.
Policy 5 - NASAB speakers “Roles and Responsibilities”
When presenting, NASAB speakers adhere to the following policies and guidelines:
1) Speaker’s role in the classroom is to serve the teacher in her or his effort in teaching the curriculum relating to Islam. Speakers follow pre-designed presentations that are created to complement the required curriculum.
2) In organizations other than schools, presentations are tailored to fit the needs of the audience. A speaker’s role is to serve the host in her or his effort in accurately presenting Islam and Muslim culture in teaching cultural competency.
3) Presentations are academic, not devotional. A NASAB speaker presents subjects relating to Islam as he or she would any other religion.
4) Presentations inform the audience about Islam, and never attempt to impose Islam or influence the audience to accepting Islam.
5) A NASAB speaker strives for audience awareness of Islam and never presses for audience acceptance of Islam.
6) In relating Islam to other religions, a speaker neither promotes nor denigrates any religion.
7) Speakers associated with NASAB adhere to the aforementioned policies and guidelines.
RESOURCES
An Introduction to Islam, Saudi Aramco World, This is an excellent short introduction (8 pages) with a timeline, brief explanations of key points (including Arabic numerals and writing, Jihad, Islamic Calendar, 5 pillars, beliefs, art & architecture), a good reading list, a list of notable Muslims, etc. This is an excellent handout for teachers. A lot of information packed into a few pages and with beautiful color photographs. You can print it from this url from pdf format. http://12.151.162.56/sa/pubs/SA_World/jan_feb2002/islam_p33to41.pdf
Resource List from IFNA, http://www.islamicedfoundation.com/public.htm
Religion in the Public School Curriculum, from the Freedom Forum, http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/findingcommonground/B07.inPublicSchool.pdf
A Teachers Guide to Religion in the Public Schools, from the Freedom Forum, http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/findingcommonground/B06.TeachersGuide.pdf AND http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/teachersguide/teachersguide.pdf
Position Statements on Teaching About Religion in the Public Schools, http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/Guidance%20for%20Teaching/position_statements.htm#OABITAR
Why an Academic Study of Religion?, http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/CriticalConcepts/the_diversity_emphasis.htm
Do’s and Dont’s of Teaching About Religion in the Public Schools, http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/Guidance%20for%20Teaching/dos_&_dont’s.htm
Teaching About Religion in the Public Schools post 9/11, the PEW Forum, http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=48
Teaching About Religion in American Life, A First Amendment Guide, http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/tarial/oxfordbooklet.forweb.pdf
Public Schools and Religious Communities, A First Amendment Guide, http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/publicschools/publicschools.2-00.pdf
Teaching About Religion in National and State Social Studies Standards, http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/teachingaboutreligion/teachingaboutreligionexecutivesummary.pdf
A Parents Guide to Religion in the Public Schools, http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/religioninpublicschools/parentsguidereligion.pdf
Information for HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS When Dealing With a Muslim Patient, http://imana.org/health_and_ethics.html#Tag2
ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES
Council on Islamic Education, http://www.cie.org/
The Islam Project, http://www.theislamproject.org/
Islamic Networks Groups, www.ing.org
Arab World & Islamic Resources (AWAIR) (public school resources), __The Book Foundation, [url=http://www.thebook.org/]http://www.thebook.org/
Central Asia Teacher Resources, http://www.umich.edu/~iinet/crees/outreach/centralasiaresources.htm
Connecting Cultures, http://www.connecting-cultures.net/home.htm
Council on Islamic Education (Public School Resources), http://www.matusa.org/home.html
First Amendment Issues, The Freedom Forum, http://www.freedomforum.org/
Islamic Networks Group (Speakers), http://www.ing.org/
Islamic Foundation of North America, www.islamicedfoundation.com
Islam in the U.S. page of the U.S. Dept. of State, http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/islam/ This page is now closed and replaced by Muslims in America, http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/muslimlife/
Penpals, Epals Classroom Exchange, http://www.epals.com/
Teacher Resources, http://www.ing.org/
Directory of Multi-Cultural Organizations, http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/multicultural/sites/orgs.html
National Assoc. for Multicultural Education, http://www.nameorg.org/
Saudi Aramco World Magazine, (if requested they will send a free subscription to public school teachers and others) http://www.saudiaramco.com/bvsm/JSP/pubs/pubDetail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0343068400.1073559343@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfadckghlfhjkcefeceefdfnkdfig.0&datetime=01%2F08%2F04+08%3A43%3A02&SA.channelID=-1073750303
FAQ’S
Islam - the Facts, http://www.newint.org/issue345/facts.htm
AFFILIATES
Listed below are the affiliates of Islamic Networks Group.
WESTERN STATES
Islamic Speakers Bureau of the San Francisco Bay Area
Director: Maha ElGenaidi
Co-Director: Ameena Jandali
Phone: 408.296.7312
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.ing.org
Islamic Speakers Bureau of San Diego
Director: Tehseen Lazzouni
Co-Director: Rebecca Darif
Phone: 858-752-8788.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau of SALAM
Location: Sacramento, CA
Director: Nasreen Aboobaker
Phone: 916.978.9440
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Outreach Foundation - Speakers Bureau
Location: Southern California
Director: Maha Hamoui
Phone: 714.635.3191
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Seattle, WA
Director: Talib Arbak
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.isb-seattle.org
Southern Nevada Speaker’s Bureau
Director: Elaine Fareed
Co-Director: Toni Eddebbarth
Phone: 702.564.3432
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Oregon
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Idaho
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Fresno, California
Director: Dr. Fawzi ElSayed
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
SOUTHWESTERN STATES
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona
Director: Azra Hussain
Phone: 602.241.2115
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Utah
Director: Maysa Kergaye
Phone: 801.943.6806
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Richardson, TX
SOUTHEASTERN STATES
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta
Director: Soumaya Khalifa
Phone: 404.377.8380
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.isb-atl.org
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Augusta
Director: Dr. Check P. Abubucker
Phone: 702.855.6852
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau of South Florida
Location: Miami, Florida
Director: Azhar Dalal
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Alabama
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Kentucky
Director: Jenny Amr
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
MIDWESTERN STATES
Minnesota Islamic Speakers Bureau
Director: Zafar Siddiqui
Phone: 612.676.0165
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.islamicresourceonline.org
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Ohio
Director: Parveen Mohammed
Phone: 937.399.0174
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Omaha, NE
Director: Gretchen Harms
Phone: 402.571.0720
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Quad Cities Islamic Speakers Bureau (QICSB)
Location: Iowa/Ill Quad Cities
Director: Dr. Moutaz Kotob
Phone: 563.359.8133
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Organization of Islamic Speakers, Midwest
Location: Naperville, IL
Director: Tabassum Haleem
Co-Director: Dr. Seema Imam
Phone: 630.848.1475
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.oismidwest.org
Islamic Speakers Bureau of St. Louis
Director: Sheila Musaji
Phone: 314.770.1340
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Columbia Speakers Bureau (CSB)
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Director: Samer Arafat
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Director: Dr. Soraya Orady
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
EASTERN STATES
Brooklyn Islamic Speakers Bureau
Director: Fawn Odendhal
Phone: 718.996.1222
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Westchester, NY
Islamic Center of Boston Speakers Bureau
Director: Dr. Mohamed Lazzouni
Phone: 508.393.0171
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Connecticut Islamic Speakers Bureau
Director: Jamilah Rasheed
Phone: 203.785.1368
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New Jersey Islamic Speakers Bureau
Director: Fehmina Poonawalla
Co-Director: Arif Hussain
Phone: 732.241.2878
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.njisb.org
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Northern Virginia
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Baltimore, MD
Islamic Speakers Bureau
Location: Albany, NY