With a new American president and vice-president elected,
President Trump’s chokehold is lifted.
The Oldest Progressive Muslim Organization in America
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Almost There!
That’s it folks! It is the last month of 2020; and, with a new
American president and vice-president elected, President
Trump’s chokehold is gone, and with that we can breathe easier.
Personally, I didn’t realize how much I was suffocating, mentally
and emotionally. The swing from a black president to a
white-supremacist affirming president, and their very different
policies, was an emotional roller coaster. Not until Biden and
Harris are sworn in will I finally “let go.”
We have so much work to do in 2021, and it will be more
exhausting than 2020, but that is only possible with health. So,
I am looking forward to receiving the COVID-19 vaccinations so I
can get on with it uninhibited.
The finish line for 2020 is in sight! We're almost there, but do
continue to stay safe and healthy.
Recently, I was invited for a conversation with BBC's David Eades
at the first Women, Faith & Diplomacy global conference to talk
about education -- of diplomats, policy makers, the public and
children. There is an abundance of evidence for how educational
curriculums, both secular and religious, can inform an inclusive
worldview and lay the foundations for a population that is less
inclined to violence and warfare. I spoke about my experiences as
an informal educator speaking to a diplomat about apostasy, and
the role the media needs to play as an educator simply by not
omitting rights affirming views of Muslims.
So, if you’re interested in my thought process, in my strategic
thinking, click on the image below to watch this long form
conversation which I promise you is not boring!
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Pictured: H.E. Bishop Elias Toumeh (Orthodox Bishop of
Purgou-Syria, SYRIA), Ani Zonneveld (Muslims for Progressive
Values), and David Eades (BBC).
Don’t forget to join me at our human rights event Celebration of
Life this December 10!
Looking forward to seeing the many friends and colleagues in the
flesh in 2021, with big hugs coming your way!
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld
National Updates
Celebration of Life
December 10, 3:00 p.m. PST/6:00 p.m. EST: MPV’s annual fundraiser
Celebration of Life is around the corner with special guest
speakers Keith Ellison, the Attorney General of Minnesota in a
conversation with MPV’s president Ani Zonneveld. Together, they
will discuss the use of Religious Freedom Restoration Act in
justifying discrimination in the name of religion and various
other issues such as the pending case against police officers
charged with murdering George Floyd, anti-FGM law, and other
matters.
With U.N. Special Rapporteur for cultural rights, Karima Bennoune
we will discuss the harmful and good cultural practices that
affect human rights. A prominent issue right now is one of a
Nigerian sentenced to death by the sharia court, which deemed a
song he wrote and performed blasphemous. Social media influencer
and MPV’s Ambassador Blair Imani will also join us in a
conversation about her “Smarter in 60 seconds” Instagram posts
that according to American feminist icon Gloria Steinem is
“education better than I could have ever said”.
We will also discuss the case of a peace activist Faisal Khan in
India, jailed for promoting communal harmony between Muslims and
Hindus. (Find out more and please sign this petition ( [link removed] ) to the government of India.)
To lend their support for our work are performers Leila Milki,
Amira, Danielle Lopresti, and Sophia Alone, who is also the event
producer, and hosted by Ahmed el-Din! Click on the image below
for the video and be sure to reserve your spot here ( [link removed] )!
( [link removed] )
Click to open Celebration of Life video
On November 24, MPV’s Anti-Racism Committee met for the first
time. Composed of board members and organizers, the committee
aims to provide perspectives on racism, including, but not
limited to: power and privilege; discrimination; racial equity;
xenophobia; Islamophobia; anti-Semitism; and the lived
experiences of Black people in the USA. The group will meet on a
monthly basis with the intention of developing events and
initiatives geared towards both MPV leadership and the larger MPV
community. The committee is young, but filled with vibrant and
myriad personalities and life experiences. Be on the lookout for
MPV events in 2021 that are geared towards anti-racist practice
and theory!
Chapter Updates
MPV-LA
December 5, 10:00 a.m. PST/1:00 p.m. EST/ 6:00 p.m. GMT:
Progressive Quran Readings: This time, we can discuss the Quran's
frequent use of natural imagery. What may it inspire in us? How
may these verses support environmental consciousness and living
in harmony with our surroundings? And what pitfalls might we run
into when trying to read these verses in the language of "modern
science"?
There are a whole lot of verses to choose from. We will read the
passages from Nahl (the Bee) 16:1-18, Anbiya (the Prophets)
21:30-35, and Mu'minun (the Faithful) 23:12-22. Here’s the Zoom
link ( [link removed] ) to join the
discussion.
MPV-NY
On December 23, MPV-NY and MPV-DC members will come together for
an end of the year community hangout. We’ll be re-centering
ourselves as we approach the new year by discussing what MPV
community members want to see the chapter continue to do and/or
do better in 2021. While the event will focus on members from the
DC and NYC areas, all are cordially invited. The Zoom link can be
found here ( [link removed] ).
MPV-Boston
On December 4, MPV-Boston will be hosting a holiday event,
“Muslims for Christmas.” With nearly 40% of American marriages
today made up of interfaith couples, deciding how to celebrate
holidays from both faiths is an ongoing conversation many couples
have. This will be Abdul’s and Carolina’s first Christmas
together. They are looking forward to sharing how they plan to
celebrate this holiday and more broadly how they intend to
incorporate holidays from both backgrounds into their life
together. Please RSVP using this link ( [link removed] ).
( [link removed] )
In January 2021, MPV-Boston will restructure the chapter board.
If interested, email us (
[email protected]?subject=MPV%20Boston%20Chapter%20Board&body=Dear%20MPV%20Boston%2C%0A%0A
) for more details.
MPV-DC
On December 10, MPV-DC members will participate in MPV’s annual
Celebration of Life event which will take place virtually this
year. For more information about MPV-DC, please visit our Meetup
Page ( [link removed] ).
MPV in the Media
In This Issue:
* President's Greeting
* National Updates
* Chapter Updates
* MPV in the Media
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