Project Sakinah National Volunteers Meeting

Saturday, May 5, 2012
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Event Type: Team Meeting
Venue: Online

On May 5, 2012, Project Sakinah’s National Team held a meeting for all volunteers across the country. Team leads from different cities presented their reports about their progress and challenges in their cities. Ideas were exchanged. New plans were discussed. Feedback was given to each team. National team plans to meet on quarterly basis.
 

Family Stability Potluck in Chicago

Saturday, March 31, 2012
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Event Type: Social Gathering
Venue: 3950 Industrial Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

On March 31st , Project Sakinah Chicago team under the leadership of Irma Hasham gathered community members for a potluck dinner at the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs of Rolling Meadows. The title of the event was “Family Stability in the Muslim Community.” Dr. Yasmeen Khan (PsyD) and community leader Mohammed Shakur spoke to the gathering about the need of family stability and the issue of domestic violence in the Muslim Community.
 

Columbus Leaders meet with Project Sakinah

On March 11th, Columbus Muslim community leaders and community activists gathered to meet with Project Sakinah in search for a long-term plan to address the issue of family violence in the community. The managing director of Project Sakinah, Anas Coburn, the Columbus team, and several distinguished leaders discussed the need to make social services a priority for their community. Project Sakinah is working to introduce and launch several long-term initiatives in collaboration with the Muslim organizations and the Columbus community.
 

In-service training for Chaplains and Imams on Strategies for addressing DV.

Saturday, March 10, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Event Type: Training and Conference
Venue: Yale University Linsly-Chittenden Hall (LC)
63 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

The managing director of Project Sakinah, Anas Coburn will present a training on Domestic Violence: Signs and Strategies, at the National Shura 1433 for Chaplains and Imams being held at Yale University on march 10, 2012. Anas will share the session with Sr. Bonita McGee of Islamic Social Services Association- USA .The event is sponsored by The Islamic Seminary Foundation (ISF) in cooperation with The Association of Muslim Chaplains (AMC).
 

Sakinah Leadership Summit – "Transforming Community"

Saturday, March 10, 2012
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: Meeting Room, Norwich Township Safety Building
5181 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026

Project Sakinah’s Columbus Team is holding a leadership symposium on March 10, 2012. The Key Note Speaker of this event will be the executive director of Turning Point for Women and Families, Robina Niaz. Several local Muslim leaders will talk about their projects that have transformed the Columbus community in one way or the other. On March 9th, MSA-OSU will also be hosting a major event “Muslims against Bullying” with Sr. Robina Niaz.
 

Project Sakinah in Atlanta

Saturday, March 3, 2012
10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: Masjid Hamzah
665 Tidwell Rd.
Alpharetta, GA 30004

We are very excited to report that we are going to kick start our campaign in Atlanta, GA, this March. On March 3rd, 2012, we will be introducing Project Sakinah and its campaign to the audience of a Family Symposium at Masjid Hamza in Alpharetta, GA. We are also looking forward to have more collaborative work with Muslim Men against Domestic Violence, another anti-domestic violence group based in Atlanta.
 

"Protecting the Loved ones at Home"

Saturday, February 10, 2012
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Event Type: Student Forum
Venue: Masjid Hamzah
665 Tidwell Rd.
Alpharetta, GA 30004

Project Sakinah’s Campaign Manager, Zerqa Abid presented to an audience of about fifty Ohio State University students on February 12th, alongside Ayan Hassan of the Columbus City office. The two presented on the importance of Project Sakinah’s mission and on the dire need for the entire community to wake up and start making a change. The students were visibly moved by the presentation, and several stayed behind to talk to the both of the speakers. A table with Project Sakinah buttons and anti-domestic violence bracelets was set up and several students came to buy buttons and bracelets to contribute to the cause. OSU freshman, Shamiyan Hawramani wrote a review of the GBM which was included in MSA’s newsletter as well. The link to the review is as follows:
http://msaohiostate.tumblr.com/post/17749951408/newsletter-2-17-2012
 

October is domestic violence awareness month. Several events were being scheduled all over the country to address the issue of domestic violence.  Project Sakinah also organized following community events to brainstorm and plan the necessary steps to bring change in our culture and attitude toward domestic violence:

Sunday, October 16
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: Meeting Room, Norwich Township Safety Building
5181 Northwest Parkway
Hillard, OH 43026

This event was sponsored by Islamic Society of Greater Columbus and Muslim Family Services of Ohio. Speakers included Managing Director of Project Sakinah, Anas Coburn; a Clinical Social Worker from the University of Michigan, Amal Killawi; and Project Sakinah’s Campaign Manager, Zerqa Abid. There was a good turnout and several audience members were very involved in the discussions. Much like the Muslim community of Columbus, the audience was very diverse and included various age groups. A Columbus team was formed to plan and execute more events in the future.

Gathering Chicago Muslim Community to Stop Domestic Violence

Two community events were scheduled back to back in Chicago:

1. Islamic Foundation @ Villa Park

Sunday, October 23
10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: 300 West High Ridge Road
Villa Park, IL 60181

Speakers included Clinical Psychologist Dr. Yasmeen Khan (PsyD), Project Sakinah’s Managing Director Anas Coburn, Project Sakinah’s Campaign Manager Zerqa Abid, and Hamdard Center’s Director of Domestic Violence Program Maryam Mirza. The show started off slow with few audience members; however, more people joined as it progressed.  We witnessed tears and several people got very emotional.  We were privileged to meet with some domestic abuse survivors in person, and hear their stories first hand.  A Villa Park team was formed to put together more programs in the future.

2. Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs (ISNS) @ Rolling Meadows

Sunday, October 23
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: 3950 Industrial Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Speakers included Mosque Foundation’s Imam Kifah Mustapha, Apna Ghar’s Board Member Daniel Noorani, Project Sakinah’s Managing Director Anas Coburn, and Project Sakinah’s Campaign Manager Zerqa Abid.  The event was recognized by the Muslim Community Outreach Program (MCOP) by Thomas J. Dart Cook County Sheriff and audience members included members of the Sheriff’s office: the Deputy Director of External Affairs, Office of Policy and Accountability, Morlie Patel and Officers Sajid and Ibrahim.  We were fortunate to have these officers present in our program as they offered legal insight to many of our case studies of various domestic violence victims, and enlightened the community with various legal routes to take when in an abusive relationship.  Several of ISNS’ board members also attended the program and pledged their support to the Rolling Meadow’s team in hosting future Project Sakinah events.

For more info or to schedule an event in your community, please:
Call: 703– 531-8179
Email: gathering@projectSakinah.org

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Briefing

October 18, 2011

You are invited to a Capitol Hill briefing hosted by the Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition, a coalition of over 20 faith organizations with a shared commitment to ending violence against women and children. In this briefing, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will offer introductory remarks and panelists from diverse religious backgrounds will discuss the historic Violence Against Women Act and the role of the faith community in ending violence. The briefing will take place on October 18th at 10:30a.m. in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 201-00. To rsvp or for questions, please contact Miri Cypers at Jewish Women International at mcypers@jwi.orgor 202 464 4804.

Understanding Domestic Violence: A Seminar for Imams

October 23, 2011

Providence, RI

Imams are often the first source of help sought by Muslims impacted by domestic violence. This seminar will provide imams with information about the dynamics of domestic violence, the various ways that domestic violence impacts each person in the family as well as the broader community, and some tools to respond more effectively to this complex phenomenon. There will also be opportunity for discussions to develop strategies for effective leadership response to domestic violence, and best practices for domestic violence prevention. The seminar will be co-facilitated by Imam Mohamed Magid & Salma Abugideiri, offering their shared perspectives and their model of working together for both prevention and intervention.

For more information & to register, please contact Kathleen Taylor at kathleentaylor14@gmail.com

Couples Day: A Workshop on Building Healthy Marriages

Reston, VA

October 29, 2011

This full day workshop offered by Imam Mohamed Magid & Salma Abugideiri will provide couples with the Islamic perspective of a healthy marriage and several interactive exercises to get couples recharged. Couples will gain several tools for communication and conflict resolution, as well as gain better understanding of each other. Fee: $50 per couple includes breakfast, lunch, handouts. Childcare is available for an additional fee. Limited financial assistance is available.

For more information & to register, go to: http://www.qurtubainstitute.org/register.html

For questions, please email qurtuba@adamscenter.us

@ 48th ISNA Convention
July 1-4, 2011
 
Event Type: Booth at Convention
Venue: Booth # 812 in the ISNA Convention Bazaar
Rosemont Convention Center,
Rosemont, IL

Project Sakinah participated in the 48th Annual Convention of Islamic Society of North America through having a booth (# 812) in convention bazaar. Our presence at ISNA was a public relations success, conveying the message that the Community is Gathering to Stop Domestic Violence. This judgment is based on the reactions of some high-functioning people we met during the event.

Thousands of people passed by our booth in a prime location in the Bazaar, and we engaged as many as we could. We passed out literature. We talked to people about the issue of domestic violence, we talked about DV organizations and the work they are doing, we encouraged people to get involved, we filmed video statements about domestic violence, we encouraged people to take the online survey on Attitudes of Muslim Men and Women towards Domestic Violence.

Judging by the statements of various influential people that we engaged at the booth, we succeeded in communicating the message that the Muslim Community IS Gathering together to Stop Domestic Violence. The banner with all its logos made the statement eloquently and powerfully. Many people expressed gratitude and seemed genuinely happy and inspired to see us there. It is clear that we all gain strength by collaborating.

The list of our collaborators for ISNA booth includes several DV and community organizations: Peaceful Families Project, ISSA-USA, Turning Point for Women and Families, Sound Vision, Hamdard Center, Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence, Texas Muslim Women's Foundation, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, SEMAH, altmuslimah, Muslim Advocates Against Domestic Violence, and American Islamic Association.

Check out our pictures from this event

April 22, 2011
 
Event Type: Art Exhibition
Venue: Silver Spring Regional Center
One Veterans Place,
Silver Spring, MD

Project Sakinah is proud to be a sponsor of the first 2011 exhibit of Muslim Women in the Arts, "Healing and Empowerment: Violence, Women, & Art" on April 22, 2011.

The Keynote Speaker was Marta Sanchez, an accomplished Author, Artist, Activist & Sexual abuse survivor, originally from Panama, living in California. Marta uses art, poetry, music and story-telling in an extremely engaging way to describe the relevance of abuse, healing, victimization and empowerment to victims and non-victims.

While the topics of sexual violence and other forms of abuse upon women are slowly becoming less of a taboo to discuss on public platforms within Muslim communities, this event giving abused women voices through art was certainly the first of its kind in the Maryland area. Several Muslim artists participated in the event.  The audience was not limited to the Islamic faith only; instead, it was of all backgrounds for this is an issue relevant to everyone, and an act of social injustice that transcends any religion or group.

Project Sakinah's Community Liason, Naseema Shafi was there to introduce the project to the audience.

Check out our pictures from this event

March 12, 2011

Event Type: Networking Meeting
Venue: Edmonton, Canada

Project Sakinah visited the offices of the Islamic Family and Social Services Association in Edmonton, Canada on March 12, 2011. IFSSA serves as a food bank for Muslims and also provides Youth Development and Parent Education as well as Domestic Violence counseling and other services. PS managing director, Anas Coburn, suggested various ways PS might collaborate with IFSSA.

March 11, 2011

Event Type: Family Forum
Venue: Rehma Masjid, Edmonton, Canada

Managing director of Project Sakinah, Anas Coburn, delivered a presentation entitled "Why Facebook Needs a Burka" at a family night in the Rahma Masjid in Edmonton, CA, on March 11, 2011. The emphasis of this talk was on the ways in which social media impact character.

March 10, 2011

Event Type: Student Forum
Venue: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

On March 10, 2011, Anas Coburn, managing director of Project Skinah, gave a talk at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, CA, concerning the impact of internet use and social media on our behavior, psychology, and brains. This talk highlighted the ways in which use of social media to 'connect' with each other can leave us lonely and diminish our capacity to respond to intense interpersonal situations with empathy.

 & Muslim Seminary / Best Practices
March 5, 2011

Event Type: Conference
Venue: Yale University, Boston

On march 5, 2011, Project Sakinah's managing director, Anas Coburn met with Muslim Imams and Chaplains at the National Shura on Chaplaincy & Muslim Seminary / Best Practices conferences held at Yale University. He advocated for social sciences curricula requiring competency in identifying mental health issues, family violence issues, and substance abuse issues in training programs for Imams and Chaplains. Many chaplains agree and strongly support this position. PS networked with a number of chaplains and others addressing the issue of Domestic Violence and Muslim Mental Health issues.

January 29, 2011

Event Type: Meeting
Venue: Hillard, OH

On January 29, 2011, local Muslim activists in Columbus, Ohio, met to launch a community initiative to stop family violence in central Ohio. As a kick start, they watched "Preventing Domestic Violence: The Close to Home Approach" DVD produced and provided by Project Sakinah. This presentation is used as an aid in helping them initiate a local circle working on issues impacting Muslim women. Project Sakinah's managing director, Anas Coburn, attended this meeting via phone and helped them in strategizing the efforts in their local community. This meeting was concluded with an action plan to raise more awareness against domestic violence on February 12, 2011, the second anniversary of Sr. Aasiya Zubair's death. PS also helped them prepare a fact sheet for Imams to help them make khutbas on DV throughout February.

October 23, 2010

Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: Rhode Island, NY

On October 23, 2010, Project Sakinah's Managing Director Anas Coburn attended a Healthy Families, Healthy Communities event in Rhode Island, NY, and met with representatives from the "Healthy Families Initiative." Both organization agreed to work together to serve larger Muslim community.

October 17, 2010
 
Event Type: Community Forum
Venue: Califirnia State University
East Bay, Hayward, California

Heroic efforts are being made to minister to those who suffer from the impacts of abuse. Unfortunately, the needs often overwhelm available resources. What is a needed is a transformation of the community itself. We need a shift in context, from one of problems to one of possibilities, from one of scarcity to one of abundance, from one of fear to one of gifts. With that in mind, Project Sakinah gathered the community for an exploration of the possibility of a community without domestic violence. Participants engaged with those currently on the front lines in this struggle in our community.

The list of speakers included Aimee Thompson of Close to Home , Mohammad Rajabally of NISA , Imam Tahir Anwar of the South Bay Islamic Association, Imam Muhammad Abdul Latif Finch of Lighthouse Mosque , Anas Coburn of Project Sakinah, Shenaaz Janmohamed of Muslim Advocates Against Violence (MAAV)

Please check out the videos and photos of the event.

Stategic Planning Retreat
July, 2010

Location:Annapolis, VA

Muslim Advocates Against Violence (MAAV) is a national network of advocates committed to ending gender-based violence across the lifespan of Muslim individuals and communities, and supporting the sustainability of communities that are free from all forms of oppression.

In July 2010, Project Sakinah sponsored a weekend long retreat to convene MAAV members to build trust and deepen relationships, establish core values, and create a strategic plan for a collectively decided amount of time.

This meeting was requested by MAAV. It was facilitated by Hilary Binder-Aviles, a seasoned facilitator with Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit Development and Pluralism, based in Washington, D.C. Using an outside facilitator allowed full participation of all members.

December 13, 2009
 
Event Type: Webinar
Venue: www.altmuslimah.com

A virtual meeting about domestic violence was held on Altmuslimah.com on Sunday, December 13, 2009. It featured a video summary of the October forum together with a live chat, featuring both lay commentators and experts. There were 89 unique participants during the nearly 90 minuite event.

Two more web meetings are planned for 2010. Altmuslimah, Dar al Islam and our affiliates hope these will stimulate fresh perspectives and more frequent discussion on domestic violence in the Muslim community.

October 17, 2009
 
Event Type: Forum
Venue: Sheraton Crystal City
1800 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202

Dar al Islam worked with altMuslimah, the Peaceful Families Project, and ISSA-USA, and Karamah to convene a forum bringing together those with expertise in addressing various aspects of domestic violence and concerned Muslims from among the media, religious organizations, community activists, students, and educators.

The major objectives of this forum were:

• to share what has worked and what has not,
• to identify barriers to change of attitudes and practice necessary to address the issue at the individual, community, institutional, and larger-systems levels of influence,
• to identify best practices, and
• to facilitate the articulation of a comprehensive vision for addressing domestic violence in our communities nationwide.

Attendance at the forum was by invitation. Participants were selected for invitation as the result of extensive discussion among Dar al Islam and its co-Sponsors. Videos of this forum have been posted on YouTube to engage the community at large. Please check out the videos, photographs and blog related to this event.