Teaching Peace This Ramadan


Peace greetings everyone!


Before we dive into this month’s newsletter, I want to wish each and everyone of you who celebrate, a blessed Ramadan! To those who are struggling this month, whether because of a lonely iftar table, an inability to fast, a health condition, or the first holy month without a loved one, I wish you an especially blessed, and peaceful month.

This month marks the beginning of 30 days of inner peace and reflection for Muslims across the world at a time when the world seems so devoid of societal peace and harmony. Recognizing that this hostile environment will continue unabated unless societies themselves are inculcated in the values of inclusivity, egalitarianism, and justice, I decided to do something about it.


Over the past year, I’ve partnered with two dear friends to create Inclusive Islam Curriculums, one, the Inclusive Islam Curriculum Rooted in Human Rights for Children, designed for Muslim children living in Western, Democratic societies and another, the Inclusive Religious Curriculum designed for Muslim children living in Burundi.
The goal of both of these curricula is to educate children on universal human rights and the Quranic teachings that substantiate these values in hopes that each child will achieve inner peace and go out into the world to share this peace.
If you’re a parent interested in the curriculum or a member of an organization interested in partnering with MPV to promote the Burundian or Western Curriculum, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

I am honored to announce the addition of two new esteemed members to the Muslims for Progressive Values’ Board of Trustees. Marina Ahmad, a corporate lawyer and a committed feminist, and Tom McDonald, the former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe and a partner at Vorys Washington DC Office, both joined MPV as Board Members this past month and I’m so excited for the enthusiasm and experience they will bring to our board.

As promised in our last newsletter, the English version of my speech at the Islam XXI Conference de Paris 2022 - Palais de l’UNESCO is now available to view.

Lastly, I'm thrilled to share that on May 16, 2022, the 5th edition of the International Day of Living Together in Peace will be held. It’s the best way to mobilize the efforts of the international community. It’s an opportunity for all to share the deep desire to live and act together, united in difference and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world based on peace, solidarity and harmony. Muslims for Progressive Values is grateful to be actively involved in this event. It is an opportunity for us to remember the essential values of tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.

For this day, which will be celebrated all over the world, we invite you to the screening of the documentary movie "All of Us".

This film shows the stories of women and men who, in the four corners of the planet, dare to take the step towards the other, whatever the existing tensions or prejudices.

To mark this occasion, on May 16th, we invite you to:

Onward and upward…

Ani Zonneveld

​​​​​​​Founder, President

Ani Zonneveld