Community Outreach and Other Programs

ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD COMMUNITY OUTREACH, YOUTH PROGRAMS AND INTERFAITH RELATIONS

Annual Interfaith Iftaar (Breaking of the Fast) Dinner celebration at The Islamic center of Long Island, Westbury

All Faiths under one roof!! The Islamic Center of Long Island has a long and proud History and Tradition of celebrating Diversity and Building Bridges of tolerance, Peace and Understanding with Interfaith communities. The Congregation Celebrated its 9 Interfaith Iftaar with the diverse Interfaith Community of Long Island. Over a hundred representative of different faith communities, community leaders, politicians and government officials attended the Dinner. The evening was started by a moment of silence and prayers for the families affected by the deadly shootings at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek Wisconsin. Mr. Habeeb Ahmed an Interfaith community leader and Vice President of the mosque expressed this hate crime “ a campaign against religious minorities.” It was an evening of diversity celebrated under one roof and the roof was a mosque. For many who attended it was their first experience inside a mosque. Dr. Isma Chaudhry President Elect of the Center quoted a verse from the Holy Book of Muslims Al Quran “You were created as different nations and Tribes, not that you should despise each one another, but that you should learn from one another.” In Muslim tradition the Month of Ramadan is considered a month of Blessings, Charity, Prayer and submission to God. It is the Ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Month of Ramadan helps to bring ones focus back from the extravagance and self indulgence to the needs of the less fortunate and underprivileged around the world. Muslims are expected to be foremost in charity and to take care of neighbors and communities, both Muslims and non Muslims.” Rabbi Rafi Rank and Rabbi Joshua Hearshen from Midway Jewish Center said that this was their first time at the Islamic Center and that they were glad that they were sharing the Blessings of this month with their Muslim friends. Rabbi Rank spoke about fasting in the Jewish Tradition. Rev Hank Lay from Parkway Community Church spoke about fasting in the Christian Tradition. Rev Gregory Rannazzisi from Parish of St Brigid spoke about fasting and spirituality. He conveyed best wishes from Bishop Murphy and how he looks forward to interfaith programs held at the Islamic center of Long Island, Westbury. It was a unique evening of so many faiths under one roof breaking bread together like one family. Among the guests was Detective Lieutenant Gary Shapiro representing the Commissioner and NCPD. There were representation from Pax Christi Long Island, The interfaith Alliance long island, Westbury Friends School, Shomer Shalom network for Jewish Nonviolence, Gathering of Light congregation, Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center

of Nassau County, Domestic Harmony Foundation, and Long Island WINS. Sheikh Negam a visiting scholar from Egypt spoke about commonalities of Fasting, and Spirituality in the Abrahamic Faiths. Sheikh Negam is a distinguished scholar from Egypt, PhD in comparative religion from American College of Theology, a visiting Scholar and Researcher at the Oxford University, UK. Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at the prestigious AL Azhar University in Egypt, and Senior advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt. The Evening was closed by a beautiful ceremony of interfaith prayer performed by all faith groups present. Way to go Islamic Center of Long Island!!!!All faiths under one roof. Isma

Isma H Chaudhry President Elect

ICLI YOUTH PROGRAMS 2011-12

An-Nu'man ibn Bashir reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, "The metaphor of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and affection, is that of the body. When one limb ( of the body) is injured, the rest of the body feels restless with pain." [Agreed upon] Muslim youth of America are faced with challenges that encompass not only understanding who they are but how they fit into the larger fabric of America. Islam teaches us that we are all honored children of Adam and part of one family. We may differ in skin colors, cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities but we share our humanity. We have developed programs that encourage our youth to be involved with not only the ICLI communities but all faith communities and to work together to bring healing and understanding. Here are some of the current programs offered at ICLI: 1-HAMSA:Heroes Are Made through Service and Action

This interfaith and inter-cultural program was started in 2008 by four agencies and funded by UJA Federation of New York. HAMSA (Heroes Are Made Through Service & Action) is a partnership of the Suffolk Y JCC, the French Hill Matnas in Jerusalem, Beit Safafa Community Center in Jerusalem and the Islamic Center of Long Island. HAMSA is a program brings graduating high school seniors and college age students from American and Israeli, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds together in the spirit of goodwill to participate in a series of educational classes, as well as a trip to Israel to complete a community service project together.

ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD The main goal of the HAMSA project is to empower young people to promote change in the world through grassroots, community service and learning. Twenty students, Jewish and Muslim, American and Israeli learn the importance of Tikkun Olam and Ehsan - Repairing the World through cross cultural collaboration, community service and civic awareness. Additionally, the program seeks to cultivate world citizens who are concerned for the welfare of other despite perceived differences. HAMSA also fosters an atmosphere of humanity, where the participants can look past labels and see themselves in others. Nazli Chaudhry and Kelly Vest, co-directors of the HAMSA program selected 5 students from the Muslim community (Shaun Chaudhry, Sarah Khan, Yasir Malik, Maha Mamoor, and Haseeb Siddique) and 5 students from the Jewish community (Jonah Fisher, Lauren Haviva, Jacob Pincus, Robyn Spector and Ian Weisman) to participate in this program. 2- Unity in the Community

This project is sponsored by the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center SYJCC. Four Community centers, ICLI, SYJCC, Huntington YMCA and Great South Bay YMCA collaborate to develop leadership skills in our teens through monthly workshops. In May, they lead a group of high school students in several workshops which high light relevant teen issues like bullying, drug abuse, bias and discrimination. 3- Miracle Corners of the World

One ICLI student was selected to participate in the Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) program. MCW is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 with the vision: "Local Change through Global Exchange." Their mission is to empower youth to become positive agents of change in their communities. Haris Chaudhry participated in a 1 week interfaith leadership camp in which he joined a select number of students from around the world and various US states. 4- ICLI Youth Leadership Corps

In 2010, Nazli Chaudhry founded ICLI’s youth group called Youth Leadership Corps, YLC.YLC’s mission is to provide Muslim youth identity-enhancing, leadership development, mentoring, community service, and cultural and social activities. A further aim of the program is to assist teens to achieve personal goals and maximize their potential by educational programs and activities such as identity exploration, bias, and stereotype awareness, prejudice reduction, conflict resolution and strong communication skills. Forty students registered and participated in our first annual Youth Leadership Day in collaboration with Temple Beth Torah. Our youth collected food and toiletry items, prepared and packaged lunches, designed colorful table cloths and placemats with messages hope and assembled “shower kits”. All items were donated to the INN. In January 30, 2011 teens gathered at the Islamic Center of Long Island for the LI_CAN Interfaith Youth Gathering to meet each other, learn about different faiths, engage in community service, and discover what goals and passions they share. The groups that participated included UStrong 4 Change (St. Martha’s in Uniondale), YLC of Islamic Center of Long Island, Temple Sinai of Roslyn, Shelter Rock Unitarian Congregation, Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore, and Temple Beth Israel of Port Washington.

ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD Muslim, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and Jewish youth (participated in the day-long event that was considered by all to be a major success. The teen presenters from each faith group taught a single prayer and its importance to them. Following a detailed explanation of the Muslim prayer service, everyone present was invited to observe the Maghrib service that is held at sunset. It was a peaceful, meditative, and enriching experience for all. The teens then put their hands to work by making 300 sandwiches for the Interfaith Nutrition Network’s soup kitchen. The hustle and bustle of this project was a great way for teens to have fun while helping those in need. Caring for those who are less fortunate is an important value in all of the faith groups that participated and it provide great common ground. Participants were asked to discuss issues they face in their schools and communities such as bullying, overprogrammed leisure time, stereotyping, driving under the influence, college pressure etc. Teens discovered that although they came from different backgrounds, and had different religious beliefs, they all faced similar problems. Small groups brainstormed how to take action on these issues. Inspired by these conversations, the youth feel empowered to make positive change that will benefit everyone and we will make this an annual event. Here is what the teens had to say about the experience: .. I got to meet new people of other religions and ask questions about their beliefs and practices. Not everything you read online is true. Getting it first-hand from them was really important… Lexidor All the teens here realize that religious discrimination exists at all levels in our schools and in our communities, whether people do it consciously or unconsciously… We’re literally making the world a better place because these seventy teens are going to put it into action what they’ve learned today… Sarah In January 2012 on Martin Luther King Day the event was repeated at Temple Sinai of Roslyn. Teens decided to visit the Sun Harbor nursing home and spend time with the seniors. A second group of students taught technology to grandparents as their community service project. 5- Girl Scouts

Our Muslim Girl Scouts, coordinated by Seema Rahman, host their meetings at ICLI and participate in food and clothing drives as well as raising funds for the mosque. These are a few of the highlights of ICLI’s commitment to community. We pray that with the blessings of Allah (SWT), the commitment and generosity of our members and the support of our neighbors we continue to serve our community and strive to strengthen our bonds of friendship and understanding.

Nazli Chaudhry and Seema Rahman