Fwd: ISNA Calls for Release of Christian Girl in Pakistan
From: ISNA e-Newsletter <bounce@isna.com>
Date: August 25, 2012 1:31:04 AM GMT+01:00
To: alam.faisal@gmail.com
Subject: ISNA Calls for Release of Christian Girl in Pakistan
Reply-To: bounce@isna.com
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Greetings from the Islamic Society of North America!
According to Islamic law, a person who is both a minor and has an intellectual disability cannot be held accountable for his/her actions. "I ask the Pakistani Muslim community to act with compassion and restraint," said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. "We call on the government of Pakistan to immediately release Ramsha to her family and ensure their safety."
ISNA remains deeply concerned about the treatment of religious minorities in Muslim-majority communities and has been engaged in work to address this issue for the past several years. In 2011, following the assassination of Minister of Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti and Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, ISNA called on the Pakistani government to take every measure necessary to secure the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, as well as their safety and those of their places of worship. Within the past year, we have continued to work on these issues by consulting with Muslim scholars from around the world to create a mechanism for Islamic standards and protocols on the rights of religious minorities in the Muslim-majority communities.
Demonstration in Toronto to protest the news blackout about Burma. The Demonstration started in front of TV channel CBC, then proceeded to CTV and completed in front of OMNI TV. August 21, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of BurmaMuslims.org)
Please click HERE to find the latest Action Alert from the Burma Task Force USA.
Here are a few of the ideas suggested:
o Make announcement at the masjids that people sign petitions
o Rally masjids to raise funds for the Burma Task Force USA
o Distribute the action alert attached above.
Make dua that Allah accept their efforts and give them sabr and istiqama.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Dr. Mohammad Aslam Cheema. "Verily it is to Allah (swt) that we all belong and it is to Him that we shall all return."
The Islamic Society of North America would like to extend its heart-felt condolences to the family of Dr. Cheema. Dr. Cheema is survived by his daughter, Tehmina Akbar (married to Dr. Nisar Akbar), a grandson, Firaas Akbar, and a granddaughter, Emaan Akbar. Dr. Cheema's wife, Sorraiya, preceded him in death.
Dr. Cheema lived in the Milwaukee area since 1972. He was one of the early founders of the organization that later came to be known as the Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM). He served as the President of the ISM from 1986 to 1988. In recent years, Dr. Cheema has served on the ISM Board of Trustees, first as its Secretary from 2004 to 2009 and then as its Chairman from 2009 to the present. He also participated in the ISM Book Club up until his death, sharing his knowledge with others. In addition to serving as ISM President in its early years, he held a variety of other positions with the ISM or its predecessor organizations from 1976 to 1986.
Dr. Cheema also was active in several national Muslim organizations. Among others, he served as a Member of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Shura from 1985 to 1988; Trustee of the North American Islamic Trust from 1988 to 1990; President of the American Muslim Council from 1993 to 1996 as well as serving for many years on its Board of Directors; and most recently working to form a political action committee to defend the rights of U.S. Muslims.
The 2012 Annual ISNA Covention is also presenting the art festival this year with various mediums of art. From painting and calligraphy to quilting and scarf's, come enjoy the different forms of Islamic art. Similar top last year, ISNA will have painting in the bazaar for ISNA's audience to come and see from your own eyes of how a piece of art is actually made. For more information click HERE.
MYNA at the 49th Annual ISNA Convention
Asalaamualaikum Muslim youth of North America! I pray this reaches you in the best state of health and Imaan. It's that time of the year again! The MYNA Convention is eagerly awaiting your arrival in our country's beautiful capital, Washington D.C. The theme of this year's convention is Quran: Turning the pages, Discovering one's self. It will begin Friday, August 31st and will take its course until Monday, September 3rd.
These three days will be filled with non-stop amazing sessions and inspirational speakers. Speakers from all over the country including Imam Zaid Shakir, Ustaad Nouman Ali Khan, Mufti Hussain Kamani, Imam Tahir Anwar, Tariq Ramadan, Karen Armstrong and many more will be honoring us with their presence as well as enlightening us with their knowledge, inshaAllah. Everything from how to concentrate during salah to learning about the miracles in the Quran, to the importance of Arabic will be spoken about. After all of that, MYNA will also be hosting an entertainment session featuring our one and only, Native Deen! The cherry on top to an amazing weekend! So once again, join us at the MYNA convention this year, as we turn the pages of the beautiful Quran and inevitably discover ourselves. Please register at www.isna.net for one of the best and most Imaan boosting weekends of your life, inshaAllah!
MYNA is excited to announce that Karen Armstrong, internationally renowned academic and best-selling author on the topics of theology and comparative religion, will be speaking at this year's MYNA Convention in Washington, D.C. MYNA recently joined hands with people and organizations around the world in support of Armstrong's Charter for Compassion: a document urging all people to embrace the core value of compassion. All upcoming winter MYNA camps will be themed based upon this call to live truly compassionate lives, and to help campers understand how and why such a call is so important for us all to heed in this day and age. Karen Armstrong will also be available after her session in the MYNA area for a brief book signing - Copies of her new book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, will be available for purchase in the MYNA area as well.
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) invites applications for the position of ISNA Deputy Secretary General.Position Overview:The Deputy Secretary General reports directly to the Secretary General and to the ISNA President and the Executive Council whenever he is acting in place of the Secretary General.
The Deputy Secretary General has operational and capacity building and oversight responsibility of all ISNA departments, and is responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the ISNA Headquarters and managing ISNA's staff, per the discretion of the Secretary General.
Tasks and Responsibilities:Administrative/Operational Responsibilities* Provide leadership and direction to staff to design, implement and evaluate action plans and budgets for their departments in line with strategic plans.
* Implement and evaluate strategic management plans to improve organizational effectiveness.* Design and implement professional development programs for staff and governance of the organization in order to ensure consistency and efficiency.
* Be responsible for the administrative operations of the ISNA Headquarters.* Be responsible for the operation of appropriate project and development activities, delegating responsibility within the organization and following up to ensure the completion of tasks.
* Direct and exercise overall control of the operations to ensure that its activities are managed in a professional and efficient manner in order to meet its strategic objectives.
* Oversee the implementation of resource allocation, an efficient program implementation, and competent program monitoring and reporting by all departments.
* Develop and update the operational procedures manuals as appropriate.* Ensure that all policies and procedures are in accord with pertinent federal, state, and local government requirements.* Perform the task of Acting Secretary General in the absence of the Secretary General.Human Resources* Oversee staff and projects throughout the organization.* Maintain an effective personnel system to support hiring, promoting, developing, rewarding, disciplining and terminating employees in accordance with established policies and procedures.
* Develop and implement effective management tools with various departments and within departments.* Develop and implement a formal personnel accountability structure.* Establish and maintain a periodic assessment of employees, programs, and activities carried out by various departments.* Assist in development and administration of an evaluation system for all employees and maintain written job descriptions of all positions.
* Be responsible for the equitable application of personnel policies and procedures.Internal Communication* Provide the link between ISNA Staff, Departments and the Secretary General.* Work with the Secretary General and Chief of Operations to coordinate staff matters.* Provide leadership in ensuring program quality and adherence to timelines and budgets.* Report in an accurate and timely manner to the ISNA Secretary General.* Keep the Secretary General abreast of regulations or other actions that might have an important effect on the Secretariat operations.
* Ensure effective communication is maintained internally between all departments.* Periodically assess staffing.* Be responsible for the periodic review and updating of short and long term strategic goals.Key Competencies:* Ability to initiate, manage, change, recognize, and adjust to rapidly changing conditions in order to establish effectiveness and meet ISNA's goals and mission.
* Ability to represent ISNA both locally and across North America and to articulate the interests of ISNA.* Demonstrate technical expertise in training and skills building.* Demonstrate technical expertise in strategic management; project planning and budgeting, resource management, implementation ability as well as staff and program monitoring and evaluation.
Preferred Skills* Master's degree in Nonprofit Management or Business Administration;* Five to six years of experience in management positions;* Excellent communication skills, including effective and persuasive writing, and interpersonal skills;* Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities;* Professional demeanor;* Careful attention to detail;* Commitment to staff support and development;* Highly developed problem solving skills;* Project management experience;* Commitment to the vision and mission of ISNA.Notes:The Deputy Secretary General position is a full-time job and requires the successful applicant to work at the ISNA headquarters in Plainfield, Indiana. Successful applicants will receive competitive salary and benefits. Pay is commensurate with education, skills and experience.
The applicant for this position should be a practicing Muslim commanding a high level of integrity. The successful candidate will be comfortable in working with the diversity of the North American Muslim community and broad range of partners in other faith communities on both the local and national levels.
ISNA is a religious, not-for-profit organization which offers a variety of services to meet the religious, educational, and cultural needs of Muslim communities across North America.
Application Process:Interested persons should email a comprehensive resume stating education, work history, and references, along with a cover letter and copies of relevant academic certificates to:
Habibe AliChief Operations Officer of ISNAPhone: 317-839-8157 ext 824Fax: 317-839-1805Email: habibe@isna.net
Connect with ISNA
With the 49th Annual ISNA Convention quickly approaching, we are daily updating our social media sites with the latest information and updates about the convention To stay in the loop, connect with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Also join the conversation about all things convention on Twitter at #49ISNADC Connect with us and let us know what part of the 49th Annual ISNA Convention you are most looking forward to!
What: 49th Annual ISNA Convention
When: August 31- September 3, 2012
Where: Washington DC Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place NWWashington, DC 20001
Theme: One Nation Under God: Striving for the Common Good
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What: Muslim Perspectives on Peacebuilding Conference
When: October 12-13, 2012
Where: Claremont Lincoln University
Claremont, California
For more information and questions about the conference, please visit www.peacebuilding.claremontlincoln.org
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Islamic Horizons-July/August 2012
Islamic Horizons, the flagship publication of ISNA, and the largest distribution of any Muslim American English language magazine - read by a quarter million people - is now available online.
Islamic Horizons focuses on Islam and Muslim life in the U.S. and Canada, offering articles on topics of community interest such as Islamic schools, family issues, organizational management, and interfaith issues. Horizons also highlights stories about the growth and development of various Muslim communities.
MYNA
Sponsor of this Newsletter
Islamic Society of North America | 6555 S CR 750 E | Plainfield | IN | 46168
