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 »
Posted: News
26
August
2007
MPV Board Chair Pamela Taylor was quoted in the August 20, 2008 edition of USA Today.
The face of Islam in America
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-08-20-mattson-islam_N.htm
HARTFORD, Conn. — Ingrid Mattson knows the media drill well.
She has done the “We condemn … (fill in the terrorism incident)” speeches — as if, she says, that’s all anyone needs to hear from the president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
She has done the profiles of her as first woman/first convert/first North American-born head of the continent’s largest Muslim group.
She has done the talk shows retelling how 20 years ago, she left the Catholicism of her Canadian childhood and her college focus on philosophy and fine arts to find her spiritual home in Islam.
“It’s time now to move the focus back off me and back on the issues,” says Mattson, a professor at Hartford Seminary, where she directs the first U.S.-accredited Muslim chaplaincy program at the Macdonald Center.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: News
21
August
2007
For Immediate Release
August 20, 2007
Contact: Ani Zonneveld
323-842-2869
ani@mpvusa.org
Progressive Muslims Unite To Make Their Voice Heard in America
Organizations Devoted To Progressive and Islamic Values Merge to Impact Debate on Islam in America
Los Angeles, CA – On Monday, August 20, 2007, two American Muslim organizations devoted to elevating the progressive voice of American Islam announced the completion of their organizations’ merger in order to broaden the impact of progressive Muslims in the debate on Islam in America. Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), a non-profit organization committed to a tolerant and inclusive understanding of Islam in America, and ProgressiveIslam.org, one of the fastest growing sites on progressive Islam, will join forces effective immediately.
“This is an exciting time for Americans who identify as both Muslim and progressive,” said Ani Zonneveld, President of Muslims for Progressive Values. “Contrary to popular opinion, the two are not mutually exclusive.”
“The American Muslim community contains many diverse voices, and we intend to add ours to the debate,” she continued.
In addition to representing a strengthening of the emerging progressive voice in American Islam, the merger also reflects an increasing interest and participation in online media among the American Muslim community. The new structure provides MPV with the capacity to expand on online community-building efforts that are currently under way.
“We’re looking forward to becoming partners with Muslims for Progressive Values,” said Laury Silvers, co-founder of ProgressiveIslam.org. “ProgressiveIslam.Org’s established presence in new media will allow Muslims for Progressive Values to reach a wide audience in North America and abroad. In turn, Muslims for Progressive Values will allow us to bring our online activism into communities on the ground. United, Muslim voices are powerful.”
MPV will provide management, oversight, and organizational functions, while ProgressiveIslam.org will provide the technical means and an open and hospitable space for the free expression of ideas and debate on any number of issues relevant to Islam and pluralism in America.
“MPV is committed to maintaining and strengthening the independent, open and free nature of ProgressiveIslam.org, which provides a forum for all voices to be heard,” said Zonneveld. “We are hopeful the merger will be beneficial not only to the progressive Muslims community, but to the whole American Muslim community and the broader American community as well.”
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ProgressiveIslam.org is an online community and site for Muslims of all theological orientations and anyone else with an interest in issues relating to Islam, empowerment, freedom, equality and authenticity, to gather and engage in creative, thoughtful and intelligent discussion and debate. http://www.progressiveislam.org
Muslim for Progressive Values is based out of Los Angeles, California, and has members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 2006 by Pamela Taylor and Ani Zonneveld, MPV brings together progressive Muslims and others who share their values, to work for a more humane world. MPV welcomes all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for social justice, human rights, economic opportunity, separation of church and state, as well as tolerant and inclusive understandings of Islam. http://www.mpvusa.org
Posted: News
12
July
2007
MPV is sponsoring an event with Jerusalem Peacemakers and Pilgrimage of Peace entitled “Elevating the Sparks of Peace: Stories of Hope and Reconciliation From the Holy Land.” This event will feature a presentation by Jeruasalem Peacemakers’ Eliyahu McLean. You’ll also have a chance to hear the inspiring experiences of recent Pilgrimage of Peace travelers, including Vanessa Karam and Father Wilfredo Benitez, Rector of St. Anselm’s of Canterbury Church. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: News, Events
22
May
2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PROGRESSIVE MUSLIMS CONVENE; STRUCTURE NEW ORGANIZATION
Founding conference attracts diverse gathering resolved to create physical spaces for progressive Muslims
Bronxville, NY/Los Angeles, CA: The progressive Muslim movement in the United States took a significant step forward as a diverse collection of activists, organizers, and academics gathered at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, May 15-17, for the first conference of Muslims for Progressive Values (”MPV”, website: http://www.mpvusa.org). Coming together in fellowship, they joined in communal devotion, shared the various personal, intellectual, and spiritual journeys that brought them there, and discussed how to formulate their positions on political, social, and cultural issues and how to interact with other progressives and other Muslims. They also elected an Executive Board to lead them for the next two years.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: News, Events
15
May
2007
The agenda for our first annual conference has been announced. This year’s theme is “Finding our Voice” and the conference will be held from June 15th through June 17th at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.
Friday June 15th, 2007
3pm Friday Congregational Prayer
Khatib and prayer leader TBA, preferably a female Imam.
4:00-6:00pm Conference Registration and Informal Activities
A hike around the SL campus, display of best khutbahs (sermons) from the first khutbah competition. Asr is at 5 pm
6:00-7:00pm Dinner (included in registration)
7:00-7:30pm Conference Opening
Pamela Taylor, co-founder of MPV: Introduction on how we came about, philosophy, vision and the principles. Introduction of organizers and some of the accomplishments to date.
Ani Zonneveld, fellow co-founder of MPV: Goals to accomplish for the conference; musical performance of “My Favorite Passages.”
7:30–9:00pm White Board Session
Conversation on what people hope to see from a Progressive Muslim organization – what issues are important to them, what activities, etc. Floor is open to each participant to introduce themselves and to express their hopes for the weekend. Maghrib begins at 8:30.
9:00pm-?? Informal socializing
Ani sings “Ummah Wake Up,” followed by open mic music/poetry. Dhikr session lead by Sheikha Fariha for those interested.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: News, Events
1
March
2007
The Canadian Muslim Union is honored to announce the First Annual International Women’s Day Juma’a (Friday Congregational) Prayer, to be held in Toronto, Ontario< on March 9, 2007. The Service will begin at 1:20pm.The prayer will be led by Pamela Taylor, former co-chair of the Progressive Muslim Union and current Chair of Muslims for Progressive Values. Ms. Taylor made history in 2005 by being the first woman to lead mixed-gender Muslim congregational prayers in a U.S. mosque. She is making history again by leading a mixed-gender Muslim prayer on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2007.
All are invited to participate, regardless of gender, race, creed, belief, orientation, class, etc.
Venue: Steelworker’s Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto, Ontario [1 block south of College b/n University and Spadina].
For more information: secretary@muslimunion.ca.
Canadian Muslim Union: http://www.muslimunion.ca/
Posted: News, Events
26
February
2007
MPV is proud to co-sponsor the 2007 FaithJam, an interfaith concert bringing together the sounds and cultures of our world. This year’s concert will be held March 8th at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles. The concert is free, but attendees must pre-register.
For more information or to register, click here.
Posted: News, Events
8
February
2007
MPV is proud to announce the first annual Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) Khutbah Competition.
Please see below for entry guidelines. Submit an entry, or help support the competition by:
- Submitting the press release and submission guidelines to your masjid, Islamic society, or MSA newsletter, or to local Islamic newspapers.
- Encouraging people in your community – including your imam, local writers or thinkers, your chaplain – to participate
- Forwarding the press release to your local newspaper as the basis for a human interest story about Muslims promoting civic engagement and excellence within the mosque setting (in contrast to some of the inflammatory sermons we’ve recently heard about delivered at some British mosques).
- Donating to the khutbah competition fund (to donate via paypal, click here)
- Asking your imam to use the winning khutbahs in upcoming juma prayers
Entry Guidelines
The competition opens February 15th, 2007; Final Deadline to submit entries is May 15th, 2007
Winners will be announced June 15th, 2007, at the MPV Conference.
Sermon entries for the year 2007 should describe ways in which Muslims can apply Islamic principles to better our world, country, communities, and the lives of family, friends, and others. Special consideration will be given to sermons which demonstrate how North American Muslims, individually or collectively, can take leadership roles in long-term civic engagement efforts. The focus should be on turning hope and good intentions into practical action, with the goal of making Islamic principles come alive to solve problems and move the Muslim community and our societies to a better place. All khutbahs should be between 3000 and 7500 words (approximately 20-40 minutes delivery time), and must be written in English. Qur’an and hadith may be quoted in Arabic, although it is not required. If Arabic is used, translation should be provided. Use of technical language from fiqh and theology, Arabic phrases, and other jargon should be kept to a minimum.The competition is open to all Muslims, of any race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, and religious affiliation (sunni, shii, sufi, etc). While imams and chaplains are encouraged to submit entries, no official position, title, or educational background is required of contestants. Judging will be upon the merits of the khutbah, not the merits of the writer.All identifying information (including name, gender, age, ethnicity, and contact information) will be stripped from the written entries before being sent to the judges or being posted on the competition website to ensure a fair competition. In the juried competition, each khutbah will be given 1-5 points in five categories:
- content (including clarity, organization, understandability)
- use of Qur’an and/or hadith
- rhetoric/strength of argument
- emotional appeal
- relevance to the North American context
Thus, there will be a maximum of 25 points from each judge, or 100 points total. The khutbah receiving the highest cumulative marks will be the winner.
In the people’s choice award, readers will rate each khutbah on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the best, 10 being the worst). Each khutbah will be ranked according to the average of all scores received. In the event of a tie, the khutbah with the largest readership among those who received the top marks will be deemed the winner.
Entries should be in Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced, and with at least 1 inch margins on all sides. All entries should include a cover sheet with a title for the khutbah, author’s name, address, phone number, and email. Only title, with no personal identifying information, should be on the subsequent pages of the khutbah itself.
Submission to this competition constitutes agreement on the part of the author that the submitted khutbah may be posted on the People’s Choice website and may be included in any compilation/publication of winning entries.
Email all entries, inquiries to the competition coordinator Ani Zonneveld at ani@mpvusa.org.
Posted: News, Events
24
December
2006
Hello, Peace, and Welcome to the Muslims for Progressive Values home page.
Muslim for Progressive Values is an emerging group founded by Ani Zonneveld and Pamela Taylor, former board members of the Progressive Muslim Union. MPV seeks to bring together progressive Muslims and others who share their values to work for a more humane world. We welcome all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for social justice, human rights, economic opportunity, separation of church and state, and tolerant and inclusive understandings of Islam. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: News, Events
