What is the Truth about American Muslims?: Questions and Answers is a resource created jointly by Interfaith Alliance and the Religious Freedom Education Project. In a time when misinformation about and misunderstandings of Islam and of the American Muslim community are widespread, our goal is to provide the public with accurate answers to understandable questions. The resource reflects widely-shared views among American Muslims on important topics such as sharia, jihad, the role of mosques and the relationship between religious and civil legal codes. In producing and disseminating this resource, we seek to uphold our shared commitment to religious freedom and contribute to a climate of understanding and mutual respect among Americans of all faiths and none.

This resource has been endorsed by 23 diverse religious, secular, interfaith and civil rights organizations: African American Ministers Leadership Council, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Islamic Networks Group, Islamic Society of North America, Muslim Public Affairs Council, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, People for the American Way Foundation, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Queens Federation of Churches, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Secular Coalition for America, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Sikh Coalition, Sojourners, Southern Poverty Law Center, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society.

It can be downloaded at:  http://interfaithalliance.org/americanmuslimfaq   

Imam Seyed Ali Ghazvini & Rev. Natalie Chamberlain,
Co-Chairs, Interfaith Alliance of Central California

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People of all faith communities and those without a traditional religious faith are invited to take part in this celebration. Join us for a one hour service presenting inspiration and musical offerings from many of the faith traditions represented in our greater Fresno community.

Clergy and faith leaders are invited to process into the service. We will gather for processional at 5:45.

Please bring a plate of fruit, vegetable or sweets to share in community following the service.

Charles Haynes, from the First Amendment Center, is the nation’s preeminent expert on First Amendment and religious issues in schools.  For more info: www.firstamendmentcenter.org

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Schedule
8:30-11:30:     Morning session will focus on education, religious diversity, and the First Amendment, with discussion of Tony Blair’s Face to Faith curriculum project

 11:30-12:30:   Lunch

12:30-2:30:     “Civic Education and Democracy in the 21^st Century” Panel featuring:

• Charles Haynes, First Amendment Center
• Lori Grace, Doctoral Student at Fresno State and Principal at Hoover High School
• Dr. John Minkler, Program Director of the Academy for Civic and Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Deborah Brown, Madera County Teacher of the Year
• Moderated by Dr. Andrew Fiala, Director of the Ethics Center at Fresno State

To confirm attendance (for planning purposes) email Dr. Susan Schlievert at susansc@csufresno.edu and indicate whether you will attend the morning, afternoon, or both sessions.

Further information: Andrew Fiala, afiala@csufresno.edu

Some of the speakers: Rev Natalie Chamberlain, Interfaith Alliance of Central California and United Christian Church; Ghassane Habib, Islamic Cultural Center; Rev Dr Chris Breedlove, College Community Congregational Church; Beverly Fitzpatrick, Peace Fresno; Jean Hays, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Rabbi Rick Winer, Temple Beth Israel

On Thursday, December 20, 2012 the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno hosted a candlelight prayer vigil for the victims of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.  A number of faith, peace, and community groups collaborated to organize the event.  Dr. Su Kapoor was a chief organizer.

The gold candle represented hope. Participants each lit their candle from the candle of hope and then carried it into the world.

Dr. Su Kapoor & Babs Eskin, Unitarian Universalist Church and IACC. Once outside, everyone was asked to pray in a way befitting their tradition.

Interfaith clergy/leaders at the 2012 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

One of the most popular events for Interfaith Alliance Central California is our annual interfaith Thanksgiving service.  Our 2012 service was held at the Fresno Buddhist Family Dharma Center on November 18.

Plan now to attend the 2013 Interfaith Thanksgiving service!

His topic for the ISW: “The Art of Meditation: Sustaining the Compassionate Life“,in which he will explore a practice for purposeful activists.   Mark your calendar and register online now to join us February 8-10, 2013!

The Friday evening and Sunday events are free.  Advance registration for Saturday’s lectures are $45 per person, which includes two meals (both are kosher and halal). Students can register for $10 per person.  At the door, registration will be $50 per person.  Scholarship assistance is available– email Al Evans for more information.

Fr. Freeman is a popular speaker, and we anticipate that we will reach the registration limit before the event.  If you plan on attending, please register early!

To register by mail: Send your check payable to “Interfaith Scholar Weekend” to: ISW, c/o College Community Congregational Church, 5550 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93710 ).  Please clearly indicate the name(s) of the registrants.

Click here to register online and pay with a credit card.

The occasion is the celebration of Prophet’s Birthday and ICCF Fundraising. Program starts at 5:30 and goes up to 8pm but the lecture is only 30-40 min from (6-6:40pm) followed by dinner.

Tickets are for $25.  For more information, contact info@icfresno.org.

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Program of Celebration Events

(Please Bring Canned Goods to All Events)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18
Noon-1:00pm—Opening Garlanding Ceremony @ Fresno County Courthouse Park, 1100 Van Ness Avenue.
The public is encouraged to bring flowers to place at Dr. King’s bust.  For event information, contact Gail Gaston, (559) 681-3140 or Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, (559) 435-2212 .

5:30pm-7:30pm—2012 MLK Awards Reception & Ceremony @ Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street.
Reception will honor awardees for outstanding service to the community.  For event information contact Gregory Barfield, (559) 621-8000.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19
9am-11am—Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast @ Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, 808 4th Street, Clovis. Keynote Speaker: Lynne Ashbeck, City of Clovis Mayor Pro Tem. Tickets at the door with a canned food item: $5. Tables of Eight: $40. Tables of 8 available with reservation and advance payment.  For reservation and ticket information contact Erin Ford-Horio, (559) 324-2476 or erinf@cityofclovis.com.

4pm-6pm—All-Faiths Service & Candlelight Vigil @ New California & Elm Community Gym, 1802 California Avenue. Enjoy various beloved spiritual leaders, musical talent and keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Robert Smith.  For event information, contact Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, (559) 435-2212, or Rev. Bruce McAlister, (559) 227-9819.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
9am—Assemble for Dr. Martin Luther King March @ St. John’s Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Avenue.
10am—March begins. March will stop at City Hall for speakers. Afterwards, the march will continue on to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium for the Commemoration Program.
10:45am—Commemoration Program @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno Street.  For event information, contact James Lett, III, (559) 284-6420, or Leonard Addams, (559) 375-6749, or Eric Payne, (559) 486-9470.

TUESDAY, FEBRAURY 12
Time—Art Exhibit @ Fresno County Office of Education Tower Lobby, 1111 Van Ness Avenue. Student Art and Essay Contests Winners work to be displayed in the lobby February 1-22.  For event information, contact Dr. Lisa Benham, (559) 265-3073, or Shirley Hargis, (559) 265-3060.  Deadline for Speech, Essay and Art Contests submissions is January 17, 2013. For contest rules and informa-tion, contact Linda Sibel, (559) 497-3710, or Hilda Sandoval, (559) 265-3098 ext. 3284.

MLK Unity Committee Contact:
gregory.barfield@fresno.gov

The winter solstice, the longest night of the year, falls during the time of year when much of our culture focuses on festivities and family.  But many people struggle to feel joyous in the midst of strained relationships or struggles with depression.  This Longest Night Service will focus on healing and light dawning in darkness.  The interfaith service is co-sponsored by United Christian Church and Mental Health America of the Central Valley

Refreshments served after the service.