Please join Muslims for Progressive Values DC Chapter on Thursday May 2 or Friday May 3 for a performance of Amm(i)gone at the Woolly Mammoth Theater at 8 PM. Chapter members will be in attendance both days but please RSVP at the link below to confirm your attendance.
Hosted by Keeping It Sacred Muslims for Progressive Values: Hear from those living with Grief in the Middle East as we invite members of the Parents' Circle and Nefesh to share reflections on their experiences as parents who have lost children in violence. Explore human suffering and a new vision for the future. Bringing the Parents’ Circle and Nefesh to a zoom event at 9:00 AM on May 20th, 2024.
The Parents Circle - Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation.
Through their educational activities, these bereaved members have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on journeys of reconciliation. It is often raw and always emotional. But out of these interactions, comes change. Not the kind of change that makes headlines, but a more personal and profound shift in perspective.
As a joint Israeli-Palestinian peace organization, the PCFF models constructive dialogue around shared values. Even since October 7th, 2023, its staff, members, and thousands of participants are still committed to peace and a way forward that centers around empathy and humanization.
The PCFF focuses on the shared value of the sanctity of human life. This conversation brings our attention to the values that Palestinians and Israelis can agree upon even in the darkest of times.
Robi Damelin, spokesperson and director of International Relations for the Parents Circle - Families Forum joined the organization after her son was killed by a Palestinian Sniper. All her work on the ground both in Palestine and Israel and internationally is geared towards non-violence and reconciliation as a means to end the occupation. Robi was named as a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World. She regularly contributes to media outlets in Israel and abroad. Robi was invited to brief the Security Council at the United Nations in May, 2022.
Laila Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Laila joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.
Dear everyone,
For many years now I have been wanting to create a celebrative musical event, something that reflects our progressive and inclusive values, and something that can be produced as an Eid event. The first step to fulfilling that vision is to anchor it in our musical history, the music the enslaved Muslims brought to America, gnawa, which then led to blues, country and jazz.
Phase I of the Muslim Musical Mosaic will be a hybrid of a panel discussion of that history and musical performances to illustrate that history, but, with a twist!
Date: June 30, 2024
Time: 5:00 to 6:30 PM PST
Location: Cats Crawl Theater | 660 North Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Professor Mark Levine (University California-Irvine), Lu Fuki, Alfred Madian, Farah Mitha, Tazeen Ayub, Aiman Khan and Ani Zonneveld
We look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles.
Onwards & upwards,
Ani Zonneveld
Founder & President of Muslims for Progressive Values
This project and free event is made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.
Additional funding from generous MPV donors. We love you!
Please join MPV LA on Sunday April 7 for a potluck iftar at a community leader’s home. The main dish will be provided by additional dishes and treats are appreciated. RSVP below to confirm attendance and to receive more event details.
MPV-Boston is cosponsoring the following films with Wicked Queer | Boston's LGBTQ+ Film Festival at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Join us! MPV-Boston members will speak at the beginning of each showing and gather to socialize afterward.
April 6 at 6:30 pm -- The Queen of My Dreams
April 12 at 9:00 pm -- The Judgement
April 14 at 1:00 pm --Stories from MENA and the Diaspora
Salam & Rahma everyone!
Ramadan Mubarak everyone! Wishing everyone a blessed month. This year, we'll be gathering most weekends, starting with March 10 (right before Ramadan starts), and continuing the Saturdays of March 23, 30, and April 6. Always at our usual time of 930am PST / 1230pm EST / 530pm GMT
***
About the IQRA group:
We gather virtually or in-person to discuss the Quran. The group aims to be an inclusive space to connect to, struggle with, and grow from the sacred and deeply lyrical text while exploring the gamut of possible interpretations (whether progressivist, shia, modernist, sunni, feminist, sufi, queer, or salafi). Core to this endeavor is a commitment to 1) recognizing the historic multiplicity of Muslim interpretation and 2) embracing the diversity of our own personal experiences and understandings. In this process, we will differ and disagree - it's only natural! Let's embrace that and grow from one another.
Ground rules:
Bring your whole selves into the conversation. Be respectful. Share air time so everyone has an opportunity to speak. There are no silly questions. Each of us are at different places of our spiritual journey and we look forward to supporting each other wherever we may be. No level of familiarity or knowledge of Arabic is required.
RSVP at the link below and connect with our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/iqracommunity
Please join MPV DC for our third iftar dinner this Ramadan on Sunday March 25, 2024 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST. RSVP at the link below for the location and additional details about our community gathering!
Please join MPV LA as we enjoy some yummy Yemeni food at the newly opened House of Mandi on Saturday, March 30th at 7:00 PM PST. Please RSVP below to confirm your attendance!
Salam & Rahma everyone!
Ramadan Mubarak everyone! Wishing everyone a blessed month. This year, we'll be gathering most weekends, starting with March 10 (right before Ramadan starts), and continuing the Saturdays of March 23, 30, and April 6. Always at our usual time of 930am PST / 1230pm EST / 530pm GMT
***
About the IQRA group:
We gather virtually or in-person to discuss the Quran. The group aims to be an inclusive space to connect to, struggle with, and grow from the sacred and deeply lyrical text while exploring the gamut of possible interpretations (whether progressivist, shia, modernist, sunni, feminist, sufi, queer, or salafi). Core to this endeavor is a commitment to 1) recognizing the historic multiplicity of Muslim interpretation and 2) embracing the diversity of our own personal experiences and understandings. In this process, we will differ and disagree - it's only natural! Let's embrace that and grow from one another.
Ground rules:
Bring your whole selves into the conversation. Be respectful. Share air time so everyone has an opportunity to speak. There are no silly questions. Each of us are at different places of our spiritual journey and we look forward to supporting each other wherever we may be. No level of familiarity or knowledge of Arabic is required.
RSVP at the link below and connect with our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/iqracommunity
Muslims for Progressive Values’ DC Chapter will be hosting their second iftar of the year on Wednesday, March 27 beginning at 6:45 PM EDT. To receive more details about the event, including the location, please RSVP below.
On March 23rd, 2024, MPV-Boston will host their 6th annual Iftar dinner. This dinner will be full of performances, prayers and more from local Muslims. This Iftar will be dedicated to Palestine and will raise funds for the family of Gazi Faqawi in Gaza who are affected by the on going genocide. For this event and upcoming future events, please register you have not signed up yet, please sign up at the link below.
Salam & Rahma everyone!
Ramadan Mubarak everyone! Wishing everyone a blessed month. This year, we'll be gathering most weekends, starting with March 10 (right before Ramadan starts), and continuing the Saturdays of March 23, 30, and April 6. Always at our usual time of 9:30 AM PST / 12:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM GMT
***
About the IQRA group:
We gather virtually or in-person to discuss the Quran. The group aims to be an inclusive space to connect to, struggle with, and grow from the sacred and deeply lyrical text while exploring the gamut of possible interpretations (whether progressivist, shia, modernist, sunni, feminist, sufi, queer, or salafi). Core to this endeavor is a commitment to 1) recognizing the historic multiplicity of Muslim interpretation and 2) embracing the diversity of our own personal experiences and understandings. In this process, we will differ and disagree - it's only natural! Let's embrace that and grow from one another.
Ground rules:
Bring your whole selves into the conversation. Be respectful. Share air time so everyone has an opportunity to speak. There are no silly questions. Each of us are at different places of our spiritual journey and we look forward to supporting each other wherever we may be. No level of familiarity or knowledge of Arabic is required.
RSVP below and connect with the IQRA facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/iqracommunity
MPV LA invites you to celebrate Ramadan with us at an iftar dinner on Saturday March 16, 2024 from 6:30
PM - 8:30 PM PDT. The dinner will take place at the home of one of our Board Members. Please RSVP below to confirm your attendance and receive additional details about the event.
Muslims for Progressive Values’ DC Chapter will be hosting their first iftar of the year on Friday, March 15 beginning at 6:45 PM EDT. To receive more details about the event, including the location, please RSVP below.
Please join Muslims for Progressive and Shirakat for our #CSW68 Side Event - Youth Speak! Young Pakistani Women Against Early Marriage on March 14th from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM ET at ACC Room: Guild Hall.
Young women activists will present the situation of women and girls' rights in Pakistan, focusing on Child Early & Forced Marriages (CEFM). They will highlight the collective action they have initiated in their communities, building alliances with community influencers and duty bearers, reflecting on the challenges faced and successes in preventing CEFM and other forms of GBV in their families and the community.
Ani Zonneveld, Founder & President of Muslims for Progressive Values
Fatima Bilquis, Youth Member Board of Directors, Shirakat-Partnership for Development.
Fatima is the Program Director at the Technology for People Initiative, a research and design center housed in the Lahore University of Management & Sciences (LUMS), which leverages technology to improve service delivery in the public sector. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Management from LUMS. Her research focuses on the intersection between technology, inequality, and the economy.
Samina Javed, Program Manager, Shirakat- Partnership for Development.
Samina has dedicated her career to advancing the rights and opportunities of marginalized communities, particularly women. As a feminist, she believes in the fundamental principle of equality for all genders.
Inequality in family laws and practices has led to gender gaps in national indicators such as educational attainment, economic participation and opportunity, health and survival, and political empowerment. For women and girls, discriminatory family laws and practices also increase their vulnerability to poverty and the risk of violence and harmful traditional practices.
This side event, hosted by the Global Campaign for Equality in Family Law, will bring together speakers from governments, UN, World Bank and global, regional, and national campaigns to shed light on how the economic rights of women around the world are impacted by discriminatory family laws. They will make the case that to advance economic rights, eliminate poverty, and accelerate the achievement of gender equality - reforming family laws and practices must be made a global priority, regional and national priority.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Date and time: 13th March 2024 at 5:30 - 7:30 pm EST (followed by snacks / Iftar)
Venue: Church of Sweden, 5 E 48th St, New York
REGISTER TO ATTEND IN-PERSON / VIRTUALLY:
Please register below to attend in-person. We are exploring the possibility of live-streaming the event, so kindly indicate if you would like to receive the link to the livestream.
SPONSORS:
Government Sponsors: Government Offices of Sweden and the Government of Chile
Civil Society Sponsors:
Equality Now, Act Church of Sweden, CLADEM, Musawah, Muslims for Progressive Values, FEMNET representing the SOAWR coalition, Women’s Learning Partnership and ACT Alliance
World Bank Co-Sponsor: Women, Business and the Law (WBL)
UN Co-Sponsor: UN Women
As in past years, MPV-DC will host virtual nightly Quran readings during the month of Ramadan in collaboration with the Atlanta Unity Mosque. The goal is to read the entire Quran by the end of Ramadan. Each night, people will gather virtually via Zoom and read the Quran for approximately 1 hour. Participants will take turns reading verses from an English translation of the Quran and the text will be shared on screen. Please visit our MeetUp page below for more details and the link to join the virtual Qur’an readings.
Salam & Rahma everyone!
Ramadan Mubarak everyone! Wishing everyone a blessed month. This year, we'll be gathering most weekends, starting with March 10 (right before Ramadan starts), and continuing the Saturdays of March 23, 30, and April 6. Always at our usual time of 9:30 AM PST / 12:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM GMT
***
About the IQRA group:
We gather virtually or in-person to discuss the Quran. The group aims to be an inclusive space to connect to, struggle with, and grow from the sacred and deeply lyrical text while exploring the gamut of possible interpretations (whether progressivist, shia, modernist, sunni, feminist, sufi, queer, or salafi). Core to this endeavor is a commitment to 1) recognizing the historic multiplicity of Muslim interpretation and 2) embracing the diversity of our own personal experiences and understandings. In this process, we will differ and disagree - it's only natural! Let's embrace that and grow from one another.
Ground rules:
Bring your whole selves into the conversation. Be respectful. Share air time so everyone has an opportunity to speak. There are no silly questions. Each of us are at different places of our spiritual journey and we look forward to supporting each other wherever we may be. No level of familiarity or knowledge of Arabic is required.
RSVP below and connect with the IQRA facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/iqracommunity
Please join MPV DC for the next part of our series, Online Lessons from the Sahaba: Sa’d b. Abi Waqqas and Detaching With Love on Wednesday February 28 from 7 PM to 8 PM ET. The event will be streamed online and is open to the public but prior registration is required. To join us, please RSVP below.
Salams everyone!
It's been a while since we've hung out together. Missing everyone! Let's catch up and celebrate Palentine's over Palestinian food.
In light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, we wanted to help patronize local Palestinian-owned businesses. We'll be eating at Anwar's Kitchen in DTLA.
About Anwar's Kitchen:
"Located in the heart of the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion District, Anwar's Kitchen offers 100% Halal-certified authentic Mediterranean recipes created by Palestinian-American Social Media star Anwar Jibawi and his mother Amal Jibawi. Anwar and his mother have shared beloved videos through the years and various cooking shows and comedy sketches on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok - hence the genesis of our restaurant. Most of our signature recipes come from Amal that have been passed down in the Jibawi family for generations. Specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, everything is made in-house from scratch. We celebrated our store opening on November 28, 2020."
Please join MPV’s DC Chapter for an online Inclusive Quran Study on Tuesday, February 13 from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET. Please register at the link below to receive the link to join the Zoom event.
Please join the MPV DC Chapter for a virtual night of learning in the Lessons from the Sahaba (Companions): Feminism and Khadija. This event is open for all but you must be registered to attend. To register and receive the Zoom link to join, please RSVP below.
Please join MPV DC on Saturday January 27 from 4:00 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST for a Chai and Chat Community Gathering! RSVP is required to receive further details, including exact location. Please RSVP below to join us!
Please join MPV LA and IQRA for our first Quran Chat of the year on Saturday, January 27, at our usual time 930am PST / 1230pm EST / 530pm GMT.
Ground rules:
Bring your whole selves into the conversation. Be respectful. Share air time so everyone has an opportunity to speak. There are no silly questions. Each of us are at different places of our spiritual journey and we look forward to supporting each other wherever we may be. No level of familiarity or knowledge of Arabic is required.
***
About the IQRA group:
We gather virtually or in-person to discuss the Quran. The group aims to be an inclusive space to connect to, struggle with, and grow from the sacred and deeply lyrical text while exploring the gamut of possible interpretations (whether progressivist, shia, modernist, sunni, feminist, sufi, queer, or salafi). Core to this endeavor is a commitment to 1) recognizing the historic multiplicity of Muslim interpretation and 2) embracing the diversity of our own personal experiences and understandings. In this process, we will differ and disagree - it's only natural! Let's embrace that and grow from one another.
Please join the MPV DC community for an Inclusive Qur’an Study on January 16, 2024 from 7:00 PM EST - 8:00 PM EST. The gathering will be online and is open to anyone. Please RSVP at the link below to receive the Zoom link to join.
Please join MPV DC on Saturday December 16th for a night of ice skating followed by a community dinner at the Georgetown Waterfront Park. For more details and to confirm attendance, please RSVP at the link below.
Please join MPV DC for a chapter brunch on Saturday December 9th in Bethesda from 10:30 AM - 1: 30 PM. For location details and to confirm attendance, please RSVP below.
Please join the Muslims for Progressive Values DC Chapter on December 2nd for a cookie swap at a member’s home in Virginia. Guests will bring homemade cookies to share with each other and enjoy with coffee and tea. For more details and to confirm attendance, please RSVP below.
Please join Muslims for Progressive Values New York for a Friendsgiving Potluck on November 22, 2023 at 7 PM in New York City. For more details and to confirm your attendance, please RSVP below!
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) takes pleasure in inviting you to our 2023 national conference convening progressive and inclusive Muslims, Muslim organizations, as well as our friends and allies. Our objective is to formulate collective strategies and actions, uniting our voices effectively in the pursuit of promoting and upholding human rights values and social justice for all. The conference also aims to strategize how progressive Muslim voices can actively contribute to broader progressive discussions and play a significant role in shaping conversations within the Muslim community.
Where: The conference will take place at the James Memorial Chapel at Union Theological Seminary (3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027).
Dates: Saturday, September 30, 9 AM - 5 PM EST (open to the public) | Sunday, October 1, 9 AM - 3:15 PM EST (closed to members, donors and community leaders)
Conference Fees: Registration for the conference is $50/PAX and $35/student with a valid student ID. Please purchase your ticket below.
This conference in sponsored in part by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Center for Pluralism, Parity, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, rūhwisdom, and Union Theological Seminary.
Breakfast / Refreshments
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM
Opening Remarks - Dr. Sandra Montes, Dean of Chapel, Union Theological Seminary
9:30 AM - 9:40 AM
Opening Prayer & Song - Shifa Rahman, Union Theological Seminary Student & Ani Zonneveld, MPV Founder & President
9:45 AM - 9:55 AM
Conference Background - Ani Zonneveld, Muslims for Progressive Values Founder & President
9:55 AM - 10:10 AM
Panel 1: Conservative Views on the Forefront: When the Religious Right Come Together
Time: 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Description: Since the 2016 election and the rise of the culture wars, conservative religious groups have sought to further advance the power of religious extremist ideology by targeting the basic human rights of women's reproductive rights and LGBTQIA+ people. This expert group of panelists, led by moderator Ani Zonneveld, will assess the challenges that a burgeoning alliance between far right Christians and conservative Muslims presents for progressive Muslim leaders and politicians.
Panelists: Maggie Garrett (Americans United for the Separation of Church and State), Sunita Viswanath (Hindus for Human Rights), Zaki Berzinji (Aspen Digital)
Panel 2: Strategy Session: Combating the Religious Rights’ Alliance
Time: 11:45 - 12:30 PM
Description: Building off the expert analysis offered during Panel 1, Panel II’s Strategy Session will offer an opportunity for conference attendees and panelists to come together to review key takeaways from Panel 1. In this interactive strategy session, led by moderator, Ani Zonneveld, panelists and attendees will discuss and evaluate concrete solutions that can be utilized to combat the surging alliance between the various factions of the religious right across the world and specifically in the United States ahead of the momentous upcoming election year.
Panelists: Maggie Garrett (Americans United for the Separation of Church and State), Sunita Viswanath (Hindus for Human Rights), Zaki Berzinji (Aspen Digital)
Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Speech II - Zainab Tanvir, MPV New York
1:40 PM - 1:55 PM
Panel 3: Envisioning an Ummah for All: Freedom of Religion and Belief for Queer Muslims
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Description: With the release of Navigating Differences and MPV’s response with an Op-Ed on Religion News Service this past summer, came a reckoning for Progressive Muslims across the world that left unabated, homophobic discourse within the Muslim community will only further erode the rights of Queer Muslims to freely practice Islam. Guided by Union Theological Seminary’s Afsheen Shami, this diverse group of panelists will examine the rights of Queer Muslims through the lens of Islamic jurisprudence and the unique needs this community requires from their straight as well as non-Muslim allies.
Panelists: Kandeel Javid (Muslims for Progressive Values Boston), Muaz Chaudhry (Obama Foundation Scholar), and Wazina Ali (Coming Out Muslim: Radical Acts of Love)
Break
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
Panel 4: The Role of Art, Theater, and Music in Reshaping the Muslim American Identity
Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Description: Although the long tradition of arts, theater, and music in Islamic traditions and across Muslim societies has been largely overlooked in the contemporary Muslim American experience, artists, creators, performers and musicians have begun to refute the belief that Muslim artists don’t exist. In this panel, led by MPV New York Chapter organizer, Zainab Tanvir, panelists will explore the unique role that Muslim American artists can cultivate in creating a uniquely Muslim American identity.
Panelists: Ani Zonneveld (MPV), Nadia Khan (Artist & Organizer, MPV Boston), Nat Amazan (Poet & Law Student)
Concluding Remarks - El Farouk Khaki, el-Tawhid Juma Circle Unity Mosques
4:25 PM - 4:40 PM
Questions & Logistics for Day 2
4:45 - 5:00 PM
We are pleased to share with you the invitation to Accelerating Action toward Equality in Law for Women and Girls by 2030, taking place on 14 September 2023 from 10:00 – 11:45 am EST.
This strategic conversation with the partners of Equality in Law for Women and Girls by 2030: A Multi-stakeholder Strategy for Accelerated Action gathers an interdisciplinary group of distinguished panelists to evaluate progress, heighten attention to gaps that have persisted in the law, and emphasize the urgent need for reform.
Join us for an interactive discussion that will include a call to action and insights on galvanizing leadership, inspiring activism, and harnessing data for change. For more information, please see the flier below and register here or at the link below.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Please join Muslims for Progressive Values NY for a Summer Picnic on August 19th at 3 PM in Prospect Park. We’ll discuss everyone’s thoughts and ideas, updates about chapter and national activities, and plan for upcoming events. Please make sure to bring snacks of your choice and a blanket to sit on!
For more event details and more information about MPV NY, please join MPV NY on Facebook below.
Please join Muslims for Progressive Values and non-Muslim allies on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 3 PM EST to honor the life and legacy of O’Shae Sibley, who was tragically taken from this earth and his loved ones in an act of hate and intolerance late last month. The initial reports stated that the victim claimed to be a Muslim, justifying this violent act of hate because of their association with Islam. It was later determined that the perpetrator was in fact a Christian who utilized Islamaphobic tropes, to wrongly claim that Islam and a queer identity are incompatible. These tropes were further reinforced by Muslims who, rather than mourn the violent loss of an innocent soul, celebrated that a “Muslim” had taken the life of another human simply because of their identity. It is with the visibility of this intolerance and a resurgence of the inaccurate characterization of Islam as a queerphobic religion that we at Muslims for Progressive Values would like to honor O’Shae Sibley, the life he led, and the legacy he leaves behind.
Regardless of faith or non-faith, friends of O’Shae, Queer Muslims, and Muslim allies invite you to gather with us to advocate against the theology of hate, and to virtually pray for O’Shae and for the lives and safety of all Queer people across the United States.
Confirmed speakers:
1. Imam Abdullah Antepli (Duke University, Chaplain and Assoc. Professor)
2. Pastor Kevin E. Taylor (Senior Pastor at Unity Fellowship Church Newark)
3. Ryan Ali and Shep Glennon (Friends of O'Shae Sibley)
4. Kandeel Javid (MPV-Boston, Co-Director)
5. Ani Zonneveld (Muslims for Progressive Values, Founder & President)
Other speakers TBC.
For background, please read this article.
