people making a difference

March 10, 2022

Common Ground, Lobby Talks: Muslims in America (Pennsylvania)

Panel discussion with local residents of State College PA who are Muslims, discussing their experiences as Muslims. See also link to Atlanta Journal-Constitution at https://www.ajc.com/news/national/muslims-america-the-numbers/tJI0VhrVWDYQ1wCplHjozK/

March 10, 2022

Ibtihaj Muhammad (Big Buddy Olympic Biographies), Katie Lajiness (author)

Biography of Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad for middle school elementary level readers, aligned to Common Core standards, with photographic illustrations.

March 10, 2022

My Beautiful Birds, Suzanne Del Rizzo

Picture book for ages 6 and up about the Syrian civil war and the refugee families that resulted. A much-awarded book with author/illustrator images of great beauty featuring a boy’s attachment to the birds of his memory and his healing process toward hope.

March 10, 2022

My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: My Faith, My Family, Our Future, Keith Ellison (author)

Memoir by one of the first black American Muslims in American government, Congressman Keith Ellison relates elements from his life and the historical and cultural context in which he grew up and became engaged with politics and social justice.

March 10, 2022

New Muslim Cool, directed by Jennifer Mytorena Taylor

March 10, 2022

The Grand Mosque of Paris: a Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews during the Holocaust, Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix

Illustrated story from the Nazi occupation of Paris during World War II, when Jews and their families found refuge in the Grand Mosque of Paris complex, where they were protected along with escaped prisoners of war and other groups under persecution or pursuit, including children

March 10, 2022

Proud: An American Story of Faith, Family and Olympic Glory, Ibtihaj Muhammad and Lori Tharps

Story of fencing champion Ibtijaj Muhammad and her struggle as a woman and a Muslim in the high-powered world of Olympic-level competition.

March 10, 2022

I am Malala, Malala Yousafzai, co-written with Christina Lamb

Story of Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani education activist who survived an attack and went on to global renown as a champion for girls’ education

March 10, 2022

Muslim ‘female heroes’ bicycle across Iowa to inspire women around the world

March 10, 2022

Global Condemnations of ISIS/ISIL

A common criticism of Muslims globally is that they remain silent, and therefore are essentially complicit, in the face of violence, extremism, and terrorism in the name of Islam. But this is not the case at all. Often the loudest critics of extremism are the co-religionists themselves, not content to let the voices of hate dominate the discourse.

Although large news networks seldom carry these Muslim voices of peace, a simple search will turn up all manner of condemnations of those whose actions tarnish the image and teachings of Islam. Below, we offer only the tip of the iceberg of Muslims worldwide speaking out against violence and extremism. We also share the reflections of Christians who refuse to easterallow the religion of Islam be conflated with terrorists who proclaim the faith.

SEE the list of links to these statements.

March 10, 2022

Exhibition “1001 Inventions” and learning activities

Online exhibits from the internationally known exhibition and website on Islam, Science and influential inventions. See also “Fun & Learning” menu, with book, posters, activities and more.

March 10, 2022

Teenage Girl Turns Plastic Trash Into Million-Dollar Biofuel

March 10, 2022

Teen Rafika Alami Has the Yearbook Quote

March 10, 2022

Stamaty, Mark Alan. Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq. illus. by author. Knopf. 2004.

Graphic novel version of the true story of the woman who, with members of her community, saved books during the Iraq war. Publishers Weekly featured review.

March 10, 2022

Rummel, Jack. Muhammad Ali. Chelsea House. 1988.

A biography of the famous boxer.

March 10, 2022

Prince Among Slaves

Prince Among Slaves recounts the true story of an African Muslim prince who was captured and sold into slavery in the American South. After 40 years of enslavement, he finally regained his freedom, became a national celebrity, and dined in the White House. This is an incredible story about an incredible man who endured the humiliation of slavery without ever losing his dignity or his hope for freedom. Prince Among Slaves is based on the book by historian Terry Alford (1977) was conceived, designed, and executive produced by Unity Productions Foundation (UPF), and received substantial NEH planning and production funding in 2005 and 2006. The companion teaching resources help to contextualize the film and book in American history, as well as addressing contemporary issues of identity and migration.

March 10, 2022

Muslims Raise $48,000 to Rebuild Black Churches

March 10, 2022

Muslims, Mass Shootings and the Media

What the statistics tell us is that in 2015, U.S. citizens were vastly more likely to be killed by a non-Muslim than a Muslim in a mass shooting (206 times more likely if there was 1 Muslim mass-shooting and 206 non-Muslim mass-shootings). From 1980-2005, 94 percent of terrorist acts on U.S. soil were perpetrated by non-Muslims.

March 10, 2022

Muslims’ Contribution (Discovery Packet)

A Compilation of achievements and inventions made by early Muslims. It also includes short bios of famous Muslims in the US and around the world who made significant contributions in the social, medical, engineering, entertainment, sports, and other fields.

March 10, 2022

Statements by Muslim Scholars and Jurists on Extremism, Sectarianism, Minority Rights and Terrorism in Islam and Muslim Societies(primary sources)

“Document Study: Statements by Muslim Scholars and Jurists on Extremism, Sectarianism, Minority Rights and Terrorism in Islam and Muslim Societies” contains links and a discussion guide for point-by-point refutations of the practices and propaganda put out by ISIS/ISIL by a consortium of 126 Muslim jurists and scholars. They and other prominent scholars are signatories to other statements on proper Islamic perspectives in the face of extremism, such as the Amman Message, and the Marrakesh Declaration on minorities. All of these documents are linked in one lesson and discussion guide here.