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MPV Newsletter
April 2022
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Peace greetings everyone!
Before we dive into this month’s newsletter, I want to wish each and everyone of you who celebrate, a blessed Ramadan! To those who are struggling this month, whether because of a lonely iftar table, an inability to fast, a health condition, or the first holy month without a loved one, I wish you an especially blessed, and peaceful month.
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This month marks the beginning of 30 days of inner peace and reflection for Muslims across the world at a time when the world seems so devoid of societal peace and harmony. Recognizing that this hostile environment will continue unabated unless societies themselves are inculcated in the values of inclusivity, egalitarianism, and justice, I decided to do something about it.
The goal of both of these curricula is to educate children on universal human rights and the Quranic teachings that substantiate these values in hopes that each child will achieve inner peace and go out into the world to share this peace.
If you’re a parent interested in the curriculum or a member of an organization interested in partnering with MPV to promote the Burundian or Western Curriculum, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
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I am honored to announce the addition of two new esteemed members to the Muslims for Progressive Values’ Board of Trustees. Marina Ahmad, a corporate lawyer and a committed feminist, and Tom McDonald, the former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe and a partner at Vorys Washington DC Office, both joined MPV as Board Members this past month and I’m so excited for the enthusiasm and experience they will bring to our board. |
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As promised in our last newsletter, the English version of my speech at the Islam XXI Conference de Paris 2022 - Palais de l’UNESCO is now available to view. |
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Lastly, I'm thrilled to share that on May 16, 2022, the 5th edition of the International Day of Living Together in Peace will be held. It’s the best way to mobilize the efforts of the international community. It’s an opportunity for all to share the deep desire to live and act together, united in difference and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world based on peace, solidarity and harmony. Muslims for Progressive Values is grateful to be actively involved in this event. It is an opportunity for us to remember the essential values of tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. |
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For this day, which will be celebrated all over the world, we invite you to the screening of the documentary movie "All of Us".
This film shows the stories of women and men who, in the four corners of the planet, dare to take the step towards the other, whatever the existing tensions or prejudices.
To mark this occasion, on May 16th, we invite you to:
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld
Founder, President
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Check out our new store and for national and chapter events, check our calendar here. |
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Check out the calendar for progressive readings of the Qur'an and iftars. |
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April 9: Please join MPV-Boston at 11:30 am for outdoor prayers and "Queer Muslim Shorts" at the Brattle Theatre at 40 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge MA. We are calling YOU to come on out, be queer, muslim, and proud!
We will start the event off at 11:30 with a Queer call to prayer, followed by zuhr namaz outdoors. Then the films start inside at the Brattle Theatre at 12pm. We are sponsoring free tickets for everyone who signs up in advance on our event page.
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Progressive Islam in Practice |
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Over the past few month’s MPV has been committed to making information about Progressive Islam more accessible to our community. The Progressive Islam in Practice Series is a manifestation of this campaign and as a result, we’ve helped to educate the community on topics from feminist readings of the Qur’an, abortion rights in Islam, issues of child and forced marriages, to the acceptance of sexual diversity in Islam.
In addition to sharing the series on social media, we have built up an entire page on the website dedicated to the Progressive Islam in Practice Series entitled Quick Learns.
Featured below is Part I of our most recent series, Takfir, which defines the term, its roots, its misinterpretation and the subsequent abuse of the practice in the name of Islam. Throughout the series, we also address the numerous victims of takfir, the term's presence in Islamic Jurisprudence, Islamic governments manipulation of the practice, and the practice from a human rights standpoint.
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