30
March
2008
MPV is pleased to announce Autif Sayyed as the recipient of the “People’s Choice Award” in MPV’s Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X) Memorial Khutbah Writing Competition. This competition is focused on excellence in sermon writing and is held in memory of one of the strongest and most respected voices of Islam in America. Mr. Sayyed’s Khutba “Do We Need Change?” asks and addresses its title question with an insight and clarity that resonated with the majority of readers. MPV congratulates Mr. Sayyed and thanks everyone who took the time to participate in the competition.
Sam 
News 
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20
February
2008
To view the seminar, simply visit http://www.mpvusa.org/live.htm.
“Islam: A Universe of Universal Love.“
- Learn about progressive interpretations of Islamic law and how they positively affect GLBITQ rights.
- Discuss love’s centrality to a Muslim’s spiritual life.
- Get involved by submitting your questions and comments live!
- Read and reflect on the talk on our online community at ProgressiveIslam.org
El-Farouk Khaki (born October 26, 1963) is a Canadian refugee and immigration lawyer and human rights activist on issues including gender equality, sexual orientation, and progressive Islam. He is the New Democratic Party’s candidate for the House of Commons in the riding of Toronto Centre in a by-election being held on March 17, 2008.
In 1993, he founded Salaam, the first queer Muslim group in Canada and second in the world. In 2003, he organized the first female-led, mixed-gender Muslim congregational prayers in Canada for the Salaam/Al-Fateha International Conference, and in 2005, organized the first such prayers anywhere to be held in a mosque, and he has been involved in every such public event in Canada since. Among other involvements, he has served on the Toronto Mayor’s Committee on Community & Race Relations, on the board of The 519 Community Centre, and is now elected chair of Africans in Partnership Against AIDS.
Khaki regularly speaks publicly at events and in news media on issues ranging from refugee protection, to the global AIDS crisis, Canadian multiculturalism, racism, persecution of sexual minorities around the world, and religious and racial profiling in the war on terror, among other topics. His appearances include CTV’s morning television program Canada AM, CBC Radio One’s The Current, and others.
In spring 2007, Khaki received the prestigious Steinert and Ferreiro Award from the Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal Foundation for his “major role in paving the way in Canada for refugee protection on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender”, and ground-breaking work on gender equality in the Muslim community. The previous summer, Pride Toronto, one of the world’s largest gay-pride festivals, recognized his work building tolerance and inclusiveness in the Muslim community with the 2006 Pride Award for Excellence in Spirituality. El-Farouk Khaki is the NDP candidate for Parliament from Toronto Centre.
Visit El-Farouk’s website for further details.
Access the seminar LIVE at 5pm Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, February 24th.
It will be streamed live, and you can watch it on “Values Live!“, MPV’s multimedia service, which supports events related to the values we stand for.
http://www.mpvusa.org/live.htm
The talk will be followed by a question and answer session and commentary by Sharon Groves, Deputy Director, Religion and Faith Program for the Human Rights Campaign.
The talk will also be available for future download.
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1
February
2008
By MPV Chair, Pamela K. Taylor
In Afghanistan, a young journalism student is sentenced to death for downloading an article off the internet and distributing it to his class for discussion.
There is so much wrong with what happened to this young man, not just in terms of basic human and civil rights, but also in terms of blatant violations of Islamic morality and legal codes, that I don’t even know where to begin.
Read the full article here.
ani News No Comments »
1
February
2008
By MPV Chair, Pamela Taylor
The Prophet Muhammad taught us that we should chose our leaders from among the best of us. Leaders are expected to display the characteristics of a good Muslim, including humility and self-control, commitment to consultative government, and dedication to compassion, care for the less well off, and a peaceful society in which all can prosper.
I can well imagine that many of you reading this column are shaking your heads and wondering where one might find such a leader in the Muslim world.
Read the full article here.
ani News No Comments »
20
January
2008
Radio host Michael Savage is using frivolous lawsuits to bully those who try to expose his vicious hate speech.
Michael Savage is suing CAIR for posting a clip of his hate speech on their site. His frivolous lawsuit claims “copyright infringement” because the CAIR site featured a “donate” button.
In defense of free speech, we’re joining the “No Savage” campaign being led by “Brave New Films“. They have posted the same clip next to our own donate button. All proceeds will be given to The Interfaith Alliance (except $1, which they’ll keep).
Here’s the story from NY Times, and the full lawsuit.
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1
December
2007
MPV Vice Chair Kareem Elbayar writes an op-ed on the Sudan teacher controversy in the Americans for Informed Democracy Blog: “What is going on in Sudan has very little to do with Islam, and a whole lot to do with realpolitik.” Click here for more.
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30
November
2007
In June, Muslims for Progressive Values held our first North American conference. During the 3-day meeting, we developed a strategic plan to forward our organization’s values. We also held elections to select Board Members to carry out various tasks designed to establish MPV as a legitimate, viable, and sustainable network of spiritually progressive Muslims and allies working for a true vision of Islam as tolerant, inclusive, merciful, compassionate and just.
With a mission to promote justice and peace on all levels, MPV is principled on six core values:
- personal and individual identification as Muslims;
- social equality for all (regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or ability);
- separation of church and state;
- freedom of speech and expression;
- open debate; and
- promotion of peace.
Today, I’m happy to share with you a list of all we’ve accomplished since then; including activities we have organized and sponsored, those that are underway, and our future goals.
Although our by-laws require the Board Members to meet a minimum of three times a year, we have been meeting once a month since June as we have so much ground to cover.
- Kareem Elbayar has successfully incorporated MPV and is in the process of filing for our non-profit status.
- In order for people to truly understand what MPV is about, we felt it was important for us to publish position papers on issues we stand for. Topics so far include Islam and Democracy, Apostasy and Blasphemy, and Transparency and Accountability in Islamic organizations. Many more issues are in the pipeline, including Terrorism and GLBT rights, and we will be inviting others to contribute in their fields of interest.
- Events MPV co-sponsored: God Loves Beauty Arts and Music Festival, Jerusalem Peace Makers, FaithJam, Jerusalem Women Speak. Vanessa Karam represented MPV as the Muslim participant in the first Pilgrimage of Peace, an interfaith trip to Israel and Palestine.
- August 24th, Board Member Raquel Saraswati resigned as she found herself unable to contribute enough time. We appreciate her honesty and hope to work with her in the future.
- Advisory Board: We have carefully started building this board, with Ms. Zainah Anwar, Executive Director of Sisters in Islam the first to join us. Advisory Board members are not just to be names on a list but are actual partners in our activism. We hope to establish an effective and diverse network of progressive Muslims this way.
- MPV incorporated the Progressive Islam website (www.progressiveislam.org).
- MPV endorsed Matthew Shepard anti-hate crimes legislation, and ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act), which would provide protection from workplace discrimination for the GLBT community.
- MPV joins 400 other religious organizations and clergy in support of same-sex marriage rights.
- Board Members have been quoted and written about, and have contributed to numerous media outlets.
In the works, future plans:
- An MPV summer camp/ conference for next summer.
- Membership survey
- Fundraising
- Membership drive
- An educational curriculum for young children
- Invitation of new Board Members
- Invitation of new Advisory Board Members
- Startup of MPV college chapters
- On-line conference, lecture
- Resource list of Muslims and Muslim organizations
- Production of audio and video content for Internet streaming
If you have any questions, suggestions and/or comments please write to me. As you can see we have a lot of ground to cover and I encourage and welcome you to volunteer for the many works in progress.
Sincerely,
Ani Zonneveld
MPV President
ani News No Comments »
13
October
2007
(Click on the graphic to download Eid Song)
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13
October
2007
In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Mabrook! Eid Mubarak. Have a Blessed Eid.
Ramadan Kareem! The Noble Month of Ramadan is coming to and end and the blessed festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is upon us. It is a time when Muslims the world over focus on spirituality, compassion, patience, peace and the joys of having completed a month of fasting for the pleasure of God. Two months and ten days from now, we will all celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, the time of the year when we focus on sacrifice, humility, dedication to our faith, and the blessings of the pilgrimage for our community. ‘Tis the season, as the saying goes, to renew our deen, our faith in Islam, a religion that derives its very name from the same root as a word for peace.
Over the years, three or four clear positions have evolved within the global Muslim community and particularly in North America with regards the method of determining the dates of these holy days and month, with some advocating for local moonsightings, others preferring to follow Saudi Arabia, yet others relying upon astronomical calculations, and so on. Each group holds its position in all sincerity and with great passion; each group has faith, tradition, and logic to back up its position. Unfortunately, the differences in approach, and the strength with which each position is held, often lead to disrespectful exchanges within the community, and even to lasting grudges and ill will between neighbors, friends, and members of local congregations.
This year, and in future years, we at the Muslims for Progressive Values would like to invite everyone who identifies themselves with the community of Muslims, or who participates in the cultural life of the Muslim community, to make a commitment to engage with people who hold different positions on the matter of dates and calendars (or any other issue) with respect, good will, and compassion. If we can pass this test of fraternity within the community, if we can treat other Muslims with respect whether we agree or disagree, and do so without losing sight of what holds us together and makes us brothers and sisters in our faith and our humanity; if we can do that, then we can try to begin fulfilling our role as the upholders of peace and justice and truly be the best of communities.
The month of Ramadan, the Hajj season, and the days of the Eids are some of the most blessed moments of our calendar, let us try to fill them with peace, compassion, and good will towards all humanity; and let us start within our community.
Have a blessed Eid, and please sign this pledge:
We pledge to engage with respect and good will towards those who hold views different from ours on the calendar of our festivals. Wa Allahu Aalam, only the Almighty has perfect knowledge.
at http://www.petitiononline.com/EidPeace/petition.html
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28
September
2007
Today Muslims for Progressive Values joined more than 400 religious organizations and clergy members to file an interfaith brief arguing that the constitutional principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state require that same-sex couples have equal access to civil marriage.
Note: MPV’s amicus brief statement appears at the bottom of this post, after the newspaper article excerpt.
Diverse groups file legal briefs endorsing same-sex marriage
By RACHEL KONRAD, Associated Press writer
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
(09-26) 16:21 PDT San Francisco (AP) –
Hundreds of national civil rights groups, lawmakers, academics and cities submitted legal briefs to the California Supreme Court Wednesday in support of gay couples who are seeking to overturn state laws prohibiting same-sex marriage.
Nearly 100 groups representing racial minorities with their own histories of disparate treatment submitted “friend of the court” briefs in the case, which makes California one of three states in the nation where marriage laws are facing a legal challenge.
Read the rest of this entry »
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