IN THIS ISSUE
Indianapolis, Indiana:: The Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) announces appointment of Shariq A. Siddiqui, an Indianapolis attorney, as its second Executive Director. Alia Shah, MAI's current Executive Director, has joined full time college to pursue her education. She will continue to Direct MAI Outreach program at the campuses and in the community. Shah conducted an analysis of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana's current structure and recommended that an attorney take the lead position. "I love working for MAI and will continue to do so, but really felt that an attorney who understands the issues like hate crimes, civil rights and election laws would be the right person to take the lead position," stated Alia Shah. "I love reaching out to people and I will continue to do so," Shah further stated.
Shariq Siddiqui has served as the Public Affairs Chair for MAI for the past two years. Shariq Siddiqui graduated from Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis in May 2005 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. He received his bachelors in history from the University of Indianapolis and his masters in philanthropic studies from Indiana University. Siddiqui served as a director of community development, fundraising at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). His last position at ISNA was to serve as Director of Special Projects and served as a special assistant to Dr Sayyid M. Syeed. During his tenure at ISNA, Siddiqui was responsible for the Fundraising in North America, Muslim Against Domestic Violence project, ISNA Fellowship in Nonprofit Management and Governance, Education Forum, Islam in America, ISNA's affiliations project, ISNA website, ISNA's relationship with public issuing press releases, ISNA's relationship with federal government and a number of other programs. Siddiqui also served as the secretary of the International Business and Trade Forum. Siddiqui was a part of the ten member delegation "American Muslim Peace Mission to Sudan." Siddiqui condemned the Sundanese government for their part in creating one of the worst humanitarian disasters since Bosnia and Rawanda.
Prior to working for ISNA siddiqui has worked with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Marion County Prosecutor's Office and the HSBC Banking Corporation (formerly known as Midlank Bank PLC). Mr. Siddiqui has clerked with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. during law school. He took part in the Civil Practice clinic representing clients in family law, social security and Medicaid cases. Mr. Siddiqui was a Programer on Law and State Government Fellow presenting a paper on ethics in state and local government.
"Shariq Siddiqui was a dynamic part of the efforts to rebuild ISNA." stated Dr Sayyid M. Syeed, Secretary General of ISNA while Siddiqui was at ISNA "He was initially asked to serve our fundraising and community development needs. He was effective in each and every project he was assigned and was an important part of ISNA's ability to become one of the leading Muslim American organizations in North America."
"Shariq has been an amazing mentor and a great force for MAI these past few years." stated Alia Shah "I do not think we could have found a stronger candidate to lead MAI." Siddiqui has been credited for establishing relationships with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and establishing programs like the Muslim Day at the Statehouse, Governor Daniels Annual Iftar and the quarterly consultations with the Governor's office. "Shariq has a great deal of ideas and energy which will further strengthen the Muslim community of Indiana," stated Dr Ibad Ansari, President of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana.
"Shariq understands that one of Indiana's greatest strengths is our diversity. His work to reach out to Muslims across the nation and sell Indiana as a place to grow a business and raise their families has been exciting to watch develop. Most importantly, I have come to appreciate Shariq's leadership in uniting Hoosiers from their house to the Statehouse. The Muslim Alliance of Indiana has selected a wonderful leader to serve this position." states Eric Holcomb, Governor Daniels Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
"Shariq is a dynamic, intelligent and compassionate attorney who is committed to public service. His leadership will be invaluable to the Muslim community of Indiana as they continue to become a positive force in Indiana's growth and development. Shariq has proven time and again that he can accomplish great things as a public servant." states Ann Delaney, Executive Director of the Julian Center, author of Politics for Dummies and former Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party who can be seen regularly on the weekly TV show Indiana Week in Review.
"Shariq Siddiqui is at the cutting edge of Muslim political and social empowerment. He already plays an impressive role in helping Indiana Muslims achieve their full potential as active and involved American citizens. He brings to MAI a unique combination of legal expertise, political sophistication and long-term vision." states Dr AbdulKader Sinno, Professor of Political Science and founder of IMPACT (Indiana's first Muslim Political Action Committee).
"Shariq Siddiqui has been a spark for effective work on behalf of the Muslim American community and American society at large. I'm happy to see the development of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana as a manifestation of public service and promotion of social justice." states Salah Al-Maryati, Executive Director of Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Siddiqui is actively involved with his local community serving on the boards of the University of Indianapolis Alumni Association, ObatHelpers and the Muslim Alliance of Indiana. He also served on the board of the Jefferson Institute. Mr. Siddiqui is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar Association.
"Serving the community in helping Muslim Hoosiers becoming a part of Indiana's success is an exciting opportunity," stated Shariq Siddiqui, "I hope to travel across the state and meet and listen to the concerns and needs of Muslim Hoosiers throughout the state."
Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) is a statewide organization that seeks to connect 280,000 Muslim Hoosiers to each other and their public leadership.
Plainfield, IN - The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Muneer Fareed will be joining ISNA as the new Secretary General starting November 1, 2006. This is the conclusion of an eight month search for a replacement for Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, who will head ISNA's new Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances in Washington, DC after serving as Secretary General at the headquarters since 1994.
Dr. Fareed has been trained in both traditional Islamic and American academic settings, studying in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India and Michigan, where he earned a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Michigan. Ingrid Mattson, President of ISNA has said of this appointment, "I am delighted to welcome Dr. Fareed to ISNA. He has served as an Imam and in academia in South Africa and in Michigan, so he brings both practical knowledge of lived Islam, as well as a depth of scholarship to this position. In addition, Dr. Fareed has a good understanding of the challenges faced by youth, as he has been one of the founders and core scholars of the ALIM Program, a successful program in "Islamic literacy" for Muslim high school seniors and college students."
The challenges and opportunities are many for the Islamic Society of North America as a leading organization of the Muslim American community. Dr. Fareed will fill a key role in guiding the headquarters staff as they strive to carry out the mission of the organization and contribute to American society at large.
ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations. To learn more, please visit www.isna.net
Contact Resource:
Ahmed ElHattab, Executive Director of ISNA's Development Foundation, and Acting Secretary General
Phone: 317-839-8157
E-Mail: aelhattab@isna.net
The Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) urges all Muslim Hoosiers eligible and registered to vote to cast their vote on November 7, 2006. "Muslims should help in making Indiana a better place by electing capable, vibrant and visionary leaders to government," stated Dr Ibad Ansari, President of MAI.
Muslim voters should report any problems in voting to the Muslim Alliance of Indiana as well as their local poll officials. "If a Muslim is eligible to vote, registered to vote and has picture ID and is prevented to vote they should insist on their right to vote in a professional and peaceful manner but should request a paper provisional ballot. Make sure that you inform the local party officials about your being prevented to vote as well as informing the Muslim Alliance of Indiana," stated Shariq Siddiqui, the newly appointed Executive Director of MAI.
Governor Daniels office will hold a meeting with Muslim Hoosiers to discuss concerns as well their visions to help Indiana move forward. These meeting will be held on quarterly basis. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 8, 2006 at 10 am.
Muslim Alliance of Indiana has been requested to organize the event and invite Muslim leadership from across the state to attend. "MAI encourages Muslim Hoosier leaders to take the time and meet with the Governor's office. It is our responsibility as Muslim Hoosiers to make Indiana a better place and one way is to participate in such meetings and provide our vision for a strong, safe and vibrant Indiana." states Dr Ibad Ansari, President of MAI.
Muslim Hoosiers interested in attending this meeting should contact MAI at muslimalliancein@gmail.com.
The Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) thanked the Secretary of State Todd Rokita for engaging with the Muslim community. His office has been open to meeting with Muslim community leaders to discuss matters that concern the Muslim community. On September 16, 2006, Secretary Rokita sent Assistant Secretary of State Okleston to attend the MAI Annual Retreat. "We appreciate Secretary Rokita's openness to meet with Muslim Hoosiers to discuss our concerns," stated Dr Ibad Ansari, President of MAI.
Secretary of State Todd Rokita was elected to office in 2002 as the youngest Secretary of State at the time. This is his first elected office.
As Indiana's chief election official, Secretary Rokita continues to work on reforming Indiana's election practices to ensure Indiana's elections are fair, accurate and accessible. By embracing technology and accountability, Secretary Rokita is leading the effort to make Indiana a model for 21st Century election administration. As Secretary of State, Rokita continues to bring better accuracy, integrity and accessibility to the state's electoral process. Secretary Rokita has pioneered Indiana's first statewide voter file and efforts to clean up bloated voter rolls. He has championed Indiana's first Voter ID law, which has become a model for other states. Secretary Rokita has also introduced a pilot program to bring Vote Centers to Indiana, helping Hoosiers vote anywhere in the county in which they live.
Secretary Rokita is active in the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), and will serve as the organization's president beginning in 2007 after recently completing his term as Treasurer of NASS. Secretary Rokita visits each of Indiana's 92 counties at least once each year, and was recently named as one of the "40 under 40" by the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Rokita was elected by his peers nationally to serve on the nine-member Executive Board of the federal Election Assistance Commission's Standards Board. The Commission is charged by law to address election reform issues on a nation-wide basis. Secretary Rokita has spoken on Indiana's model election reforms from coast to coast and has testified before the United States Congress, spoken to elected officials from across the country at the Helping America Vote Summit on Election Reform in San Diego, and before local election administrators in other states. Secretary Rokita has also served as Chair of NASS' New Millennium Young Voters Summit of 2004, Chair of the standing Voter Participation Committee and Vice Chair of the Securities Regulation Committee.
Secretary Rokita also serves as Indiana's chief securities fraud investigator. Secretary Rokita's office has closed hundreds of enforcement actions against violators of securities law, uncovered investor fraud scams, and helped secure numerous felony convictions and millions of dollars in restitution and fines. By working with law enforcement throughout the state, his office has helped to file charges in 22 high-profile investment fraud cases in Indiana, and has a 15 to 1 conviction-to-dismissal record, with over 150 years of jail time sentenced to-date.
In his role as the head of Indiana's Business Services Division, Secretary Rokita has continued making Indiana a pioneer in e-government initiatives. From searching corporate documents to searching and securing trademarks and names online, Secretary Rokita has helped economic development by taking many common and paper-intensive tasks online. Secretary Rokita also chairs the Business Law Survey Commission which continues to update Indiana's corporate laws to make the state more attractive to businesses looking for a place to incorporate.
A native of Munster, he holds a law degree from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College. At Wabash, Rokita earned distinction as an Eli Lilly Fellow. After law school, Secretary Rokita worked as a practicing attorney for several years. Rokita then began serving in the Secretary of State's office in 1997, first as its General Counsel and then as Deputy Secretary of State.
All of Secretary Rokita's accomplishments while in office have been completed with a focus on saving taxpayer dollars. The Office of the Secretary of State has managed to complete multiple election reforms, track down and convict white-collar criminals, and make Indiana a business-friendly environment, all while working from a budget that has not significantly increased from 1988. Secretary Rokita also refused to accept new furnishings for his office, insisting that the money spent on furniture could be better spent fighting voter fraud and protecting Indiana investors. Rokita's office is a member of the Quality for Indiana Taxpayers Inc. non-profit organization that works to help Indiana citizens understand our complex tax system.
Active internationally, Secretary Rokita has represented Indiana and its model election, business, and securities reforms globally. Secretary Rokita led an Indiana delegation of Hoosier leaders attending a Globalization Summit in Washington, DC, and was the highest ranking official in a delegation of U.S. elected officials sent to Vietnam to discuss economic issues. Secretary Rokita also has joined fellow Secretaries of State in Taiwan to meet with national leaders and maintain economic ties.
Secretary Rokita is a member of the Director's Circle of the Indiana Council for Economic Education, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Knights of Columbus, and the National Rifle Association. A commercial-rated pilot, Secretary Rokita volunteers his time by flying people in need of non-emergency medical care to Midwest hospitals and clinics for treatment and is a member of the Indiana chapter of the International Flying Farmers.
Todd and his wife Kathy worship at St. Mary Parish in Indianapolis, and Todd is also a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Munster. The rest of his family continues to reside in Northwest Indiana.
Candidate for State Senator, Terry Coriden, called the Muslim Alliance of Indiana to assure the Muslim community of Indiana that he is committed to working with people of all faiths. As State Senator for District 41, Terry Coriden will be proud to work with people of all faith groups to further improve the district and the State. Terry's key issues are affordable Hoosier healthcare, lower property taxes, and optional full-day kindergarten. Additionally, Terry underscores the importance of economic development within the district and the state. He points to the advent of Honda and the expansion of Cummins' workforce as examples of the need for continued training and education to secure and expand the economy. Terry also supports Mitch Daniels plans for education in Indiana.
Terry made Columbus, Indiana his home in 1971, after graduating from law school. Over the past 30 years, Terry has served the people of Indiana in a number of different capacities at both the state and local levels. In 1971, Terry started Legal Services of Bartholomew, Brown, and Jackson Counties, a program that has provided legal aid to low income families. In 1974, Governor Bowen appointed Terry to the Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana. Since then, he has received, collectively, nine gubernatorial appointments from Governors Bowen, Orr, Bayh, O'Bannon, and Kernan, and, as of May 2006, Terry continues his work as a board member at the request of Governor Daniels. Terry served as Chairman of the Board from 1994 until August 2005. In recognition of his civic work Governors Orr, Bayh, O'Bannon and Kernan have each bestowed upon Terry the State's highest distinction, the Sagamore of the Wabash. Terry also served as the City Attorney for Columbus from 1996 to 2004. Terry currently serves as the Columbus City Utility Attorney. Terry has also been considered for a seat on the Indiana Supreme Court.
During this time, Terry continued to practice law in Columbus. In 1998, Terry founded Coriden Law Office, which has expanded to include his wife, Kathleen Tighe Coriden (Kitty), his son, Timothy P. Coriden, and Scott Andrews. Before starting his own law firm, Terry was a partner in the firms of Eynon & Coriden, and Lawson, Pushor, Mote & Coriden. As a small business owner, Terry understands the needs and concerns of both employers and employees in Indiana.
The importance of community service to Terry cannot be understated. He is a pro bono attorney for the Bartholomew Area Legal Aid and the attorney for the Bartholomew County Fair Board. Terry also serves as a board member of Kid's Chance Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to children of people seriously injured in work-related accidents. Terry is a member and past president of the Bartholomew County Bar Association, a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, and a board member of Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum. Terry has also served as a member of numerous local civic organizations including the Columbus Human Rights Commission, Family Services of Bartholomew County, St. Bartholomew Parish Council, and All Saints School Committee. Terry is a former board member and past President of Harrison Lake County Club. He is also a former basketball coach at the Foundation for Youth and All Saints Catholic School.
Terry was born in Hammond, Indiana, on January 29, 1947, to John and Pat Coriden. Terry is the second oldest of four children. He graduated from Saint Francis High School in Wheaton, Illinois and attended DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, for one year before transferring to Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1968, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Terry majored in political science and minored in philosophy and economics. Terry then attended law school at the University of Toledo, where he met Kitty, who is second oldest child of ten bothers and sisters. In 1973, the couple married and have been married for 33 years. Terry is the father of Tim and Erin Coriden and the father-in-law of Ann Coriden. Terry has an eighteen month old grandson, Peter Coriden.
Candidate for Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Melina Kennedy, called to thank the Muslim community of Indiana for inviting her to the Muslim Alliance of Indiana Iftar. Kennedy promised to continue to listen to the concerns for Muslims and focus on issues like hate crimes, domestic violence and increasing the conviction rate.
Melina Kennedy was appointed as Deputy Mayor of the City of Indianapolis in 2004 by Mayor Bart Peterson. As Deputy Mayor, she helped develop stronger, safer and thriving neighborhoods through community and economic development.
Kennedy started her career in public service as an attorney that worked at the Indiana Supreme Court, where she helped review scores of criminal and civil legal appeals.
She joined Mayor Peterson's team as assistant deputy mayor in 2000, where she worked on several important public safety initiatives, including combating domestic violence in our community. She coordinated efforts that led to the "Mayor's Domestic Violence Roundtables," which developed the first-ever "Family Violence Communitywide Plan" to identify the gaps in local domestic violence services and to propose strategies for reducing family violence.
In addition, she worked with Mayor Peterson to push for a new state law to enforce out-of-state protective orders and to eliminate filing fees that domestic violence victims had to pay to obtain protective orders against their violent partners.
She then took on the job as the city's Director of Economic Development, where she oversaw the city's effort to grow high-tech, high-wage jobs in Indianapolis. She helped lead efforts to create BioCrossroads, the central Indiana life sciences network, and BuyIndyFirst, a plan to promote the use of local business in the greater Indianapolis area. Prior to joining Mayor Peterson's team, she practiced law in a local Indianapolis firm.
Kennedy earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, a master's degree from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs and law degree with honors from the IU School of Law in Bloomington.
She has served on the boards of the Julian Center, an Indianapolis shelter for victims of domestic violence, and the Indianapolis Bar Association, where she chaired its Women and the Law Division. She also received IUPUI's "Spirit of Philanthropy Award," and was named as one of the Indianapolis Business Journal's "Women to Watch" and to the IBJ's prestigious "40 Under 40" list.
This is a reminder that Legacy Institute will be starting Fall semester classes this week. Seerah: Life of the Prophet and Advanced Arabic will begin this week.
The Lighthouse Series - Defining Youth Identity will begin in November and a seperate email with additional information will be sent.
Also, all of the Ramadan content from this month has been posted online, including Eid Khutbah by Shaykh Tewfik Choukri. Please visit the website at www.legacyin.org and follow the links to the Ramadan page.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Seerah: Life of the Prophet - The Madinah Period
An analytical study of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (saws). Topics and focus for this semester will continue to focus on the establishment of Islamic civil society in Madinah, with specific emphasis on our lives today.
Topics Covered
- Society in Madinah
- Constitution & Treaties
- Jurisprudence in Madinah
- The Expeditions
- Lessons of Leadership
- Enjoining of Good and Forbidding Evil
- Contemporary Issues
Instructor: Shaykh Tewfik Choukri
Friday evenings starting October 27th
7:00 - 9:00pm
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Advanced Arabic
An analytical approach to the study of Arabic with focus on the Quran and classical Islamic literature. This class continues to build on the language skills learned in previous semesters of Arabic. Phonology and morphology, syntax, rules of grammar as in the Quran and the classical Islamic literature are presented in further detail.
Topics covered
- Advanced Morphology
- Advanced Phonology
- Syntax
- Advanced writing
- Introduction to Arabic grammar
- Classical texts
Instructor: Shaykh Tewfik Choukri
Saturday mornings starting October 28th
10:30 - 1:00pm
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Celebrate the diversity that makes Indianapolis a blessed and beautiful center for worship
Seventh Annual
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, OSB
Archbishop of Indianapolis
Presider
Imam Michael Saahir
Nur-Allah Islamic Center
Preacher
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral
1347 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-634-4519
6:30 p.m. prelude music
featuring
Indianapolis Children's Choir
Laudis Cantores (choir of the cathedral)
Handbell Choir of Speedway Christian Church
7:00 p.m. Procession of Religious Leaders
An offering of canned goods and money will be gathered and donated to The Julian Center
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (CAIR-SFBA), is urging the community to donate to Alia Ansari's Memorial Fund, established a day after she was gunned down in Fremont.
The fund has been set up for the husband and six children that Ansari left behind.
SEE: Shooting Stuns Community
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_4528704
On Friday, October 20, the CAIR-SFBA staff attended the vigil held for Ansari, and visited the family at their home near Glenmoor Drive. The family is understandably grieving Ansari's death, with their primary concern being her children, who are aged 2-13.
To donate to a fund for the Ansari children, checks can be made to the "Ansari Family'' at Washington Mutual, account No. 3091558830, and at Fremont Bank, account No. 55041477.
UC Berkeley lecturer says using Muslim head covering is act of courage
Eleni Economides, Argus, 10/27/06
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_4559034
Maha Choudhury proudly wears one of the most misunderstood aspects of Islam the hijab.
Although it has been touted as a simple head covering, to those who wear the hijab it's much more: It is a way of life.
"It's about how you act when you're with women, when you're with men. It's about manners, your talk and your walk and it is meant to protect you from unwanted attention," said Choudhury, a Fremont resident.
The hijab has been the subject of much attention locally in the last week, after Fremont mother of six Alia Ansari was shot to death in a Glenmoor neighborhood. Ansari was wearing a hijab when she was killed Oct. 19, and some family members have speculated that she might have been the victim of a hate crime based on her appearance.
Local community leaders are organizing "Wear a Hijab Day" on Nov. 13 as a "symbolic gesture of solidarity" in support of Ansari.
Quran suggests that the most feminine parts of a woman the hair and the bosom be covered at all times.
"The Quran, in general, talks about dressing in modesty," said Hatem Bazian, lecturer of Near Eastern studies and Islamic law at the University of California, Berkeley. This is also found in other religions. For example, those visiting the Vatican must cover their heads in modesty as well."
General Information on Absentee Ballots
Absentee Ballots are covered in IC 3-11-4.
The following information is taken from the Quick Reference Guide.
- All registered voters in Indiana are eligible to vote absentee-in-person at the county election board office before Election Day.
- In order to vote absentee-by-mail, the voter must fit into one of the following criteria:
- You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 am until 6 pm).
- You have a disability.
- You are at least 65 years of age.
- You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
- You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You are a participant in the state's address confidentiality program.
- Voters voting absentee-by-mail are NOT required to show photo id.
- In order to vote absentee-by-traveling board, the voter must fit into one of the following criteria:
- The voter expects to be confined, due to illness or injury, or the voter expects to be caring for a confined person at a private residence, on Election Day.
- The voter is a voter with disabilities and believes their polling place is not accessible to them.
- Voters voting by traveling board are NOT required to show photo id.
Download an Absentee Ballot Form
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, Statehouse 201, Indianapolis, Indiana :: 317.232.6531 :: Contact Us
MUSLIM ALLIANCE OF INDIANA is dedicated to empower Muslims through social engagement and developing awareness of public issues among Muslims and connecting 280,000 Muslim Hoosiers with the leadership.
To learn more about past activities and accomplishments, please visit at www.muslimalliancein.com
To be involved with MAI mission, please contact muslimalliancein@yahoo.com
To strengthen and disseminate the vision, please forward this message to others in Indiana or send email list to muslimalliancein@yahoo.com
This is intended for Muslim Hoosiers and friends promoting peace and harmony, mutual respect and making Indiana strong. If you want to be off this list, please advise.
Thank you.
