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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.
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 for updates or see details below.
Wishing our Muslim readers a blessed Ramadan!
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld
Founder, president
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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.
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.
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National Ramadan Activities
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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. Our members are looking forward to joining in with other chapters for the various activities happening this holy month.
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MPV in the News
And, check out Ani Zonneveld's new op-ed, co-authored with Doug Pagitt!
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- President's Greeting
- U.N. Updates
- Ramadan National Updates
- Chapter Updates
- MPV in the News
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