Extremist Christians, Ramadan activities, #CSW65, ERA and
more!

The Oldest Progressive Muslim Organization in America

Don't take our work for granted! Donate!
( [link removed] )

Share your Robly campaign on Facebook ( [link removed] ) Share your Robly campaign on Twitter ( [link removed] )

A Blessed Ramadan

With a new American Congress sworn in and with the Biden
administration focusing on initiatives and a new vision for
America, I feel relieved. Relieved too that I have been
vaccinated against COVID-19. We survived four years of an abusive
and mismanaged administration. The vaccination truly feels like a
new chapter in life.

To ride the new wave of energy, we have been busy working with a
slew of partner organizations in promoting several legislations
which will ensure equal rights for all Americans. They include
the Equal Rights Amendment and the Equality Act which at the
moment is stuck in the Senate. Meanwhile, we continue to also
work at the U.N. fora ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals
and the Generation Equality Forum continue to be on track.

In this newsletter, you can check out the videos of the CSW
panels, and an Op-Ed I co-authored with progressive Evangelist
Doug Paggit about the Christian extremists in America published
in the Business Insider.

In the last newsletter I mentioned an Inclusive Islam Curriculum
rooted in human rights for children ages 4-7 I just co-authored.
You can check out the first lesson here ( [link removed] ).

A lot of big picture and policy took up much of my time in the
last few months so the arrival of Ramadan April 12 (evening) will
hopefully make time for some inner peace and reflection. In our
case, we will not be waiting for the sighting of the new moon as
to when Ramadan starts, but will determine the start of our holy
month by scientific calculations. I invite you to join our slew
of virtual activities. Please check out our calendar ( [link removed] )for updates or see details below.

Wishing our Muslim readers a blessed Ramadan!

Onward and upward…

Ani Zonneveld
Founder, president

U.N. Updates: Commission on the Status of Women

March 16: “Women in Faith Based Organizations.” Organized by the
World Jewish Congress, this was an excellent panel! Speakers
include Alana Baranov of the Jewish Diplomatic Corps, Rabbi Rav
Maya Leibowitz, Ani Zonneveld (MPV), Dr. Husna Ahmad (CEO of
Global One); Prof. Azza Karam (Secretary General, Religions for
Peace), Elaine Neuenfeldt (ACT Alliance), and Mr. Amichai Wise
(Member of WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps). Check out the panel
discussion here ( [link removed] ).

March 21: “Shared Stories: Culture, Religion &Women's
Empowerment.” Organized by ISKCON Vaisnavi Ministry, co-sponsored
by ACT Alliance and MPV. Speakers include Radha Devi Dasi
(Women’s Ministry, ISKCON); Gladys Nairuba (Co-Chair, ACT
Alliance Africa, Gender Community of Practice); Ani Zonneveld
(Muslims for Progressive Values, founder, president, and Alliance
of Inclusive Muslims). This too was a wonderful panel, with
insights from three women working in the very male dominated
spaces of faith, with stories that are not usually shared. You
can watch it here ( [link removed] ).

National Ramadan Activities

Chapter Updates

MPV-Boston

April 2: MPV-Boston held their monthly meeting on the topic
"Domestic Violence in Muslim Communities: supporting survivors"
and held a spirited conversation with local domestic violence
advocates to learn how to make the Muslim community more
supportive for survivors. The evening ended with a dua for all
survivors of abuse and a healing meditation.

MPV-San Francisco Bay

MPV-San Francisco Bay held our March event “Healing Our Wounds
from Cultural Dogma: Finding a way to the Truth in Islam” led by
Muna Alsheikh. The event was well attended. Video of the
presentation will be posted.

April 18: MPV-San Francisco Bay will have a Ramadan Iftar
gathering open to all at 7:00 p.m. PDT as posted on our Meetup
Group ( [link removed] ). Our members are looking forward to joining in with other
chapters for the various activities happening this holy month.

MPV in the News

PaRD | Grammy-winning songwriter Ani Zonneveld: “In times of
COVID-19 people need music and spirituality” ( [link removed] ) | March 17, 2021

Christianity Today | To Further Religious Freedom Among Muslims,
Can Women Succeed Where Men Have Not? ( [link removed] ) |March 30, 2021

And, check out Ani Zonneveld's new op-ed, co-authored with Doug
Pagitt!

Op-Ed: Business Insider |Christian Leaders Must Condemn Radical,
Violent Christian Nationalism ( [link removed] )| March 24, 2021

In This Issue:
* President's Greeting
* U.N. Updates
* Ramadan National Updates
* Chapter Updates
* MPV in the News

Quick links:
MPV Website ( [link removed] )
About MPV ( [link removed] )
Our Communities ( [link removed] )
#ImamsForShe ( [link removed] )
Donate to MPV ( [link removed] )

​​​​​​​

Do you know what happens when you Google "Muslims" in
America? Watch! ( [link removed] )

BACK TO TOP ( #top )

( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )
( [link removed] )

click here ( [link removed] )-->

MPV · 1626 N. Wilcox Ave., Suite 702 · Los Angeles ·
California · 90028

Preferences ( [link removed] )
|
Unsubscribe ( [link removed] )

This email was sent to [email protected].

Click here to view the online version. (
[link removed] )