Extras

Reflections on AMCLI in DC

I’ve been back from D.C. for awhile, but it’s taken me a bit to sit down and wrap my head around all the fantastic-ness that happened at the AMCLI retreat.

There were a lot of big names, and a lot of big ideas. Two of the speakers that really piqued my interest were John Esposito and Dr. Ingrid Mattson.

Professor John Esposito, whose new book The Future of Islam has just been released, discussed his book and touched on themes that play a large role in the Muslim communities, such as the importance of tradition and how it can lead to the deifying of tradition (the idea that tradition is as sacred as the text itself).

Dr. Ingrid Mattson, the head of the Islamic Society of North America, also discussed the importance of interfaith work and having Muslim communities engage with the larger communities that they live in.

Another big event was the constant snowfall on the Saturday before we left. I hadn’t seen snow so deep and crisp since I left Utah, so I enjoyed the pristine flakes even as I worried that my flight the next afternoon may be canceled.

All in all, another wonderful retreat weekend with wonderful people. Our final retreat is in Los Angeles, and I’m looking forward to (hopefully) warmer surroundings!

Ms. Fakhraie goes to Washington

I won’t be shaking up Capitol Hill, though. I’m in Washington, D.C., this week to meet up for my second AMCLI fellowship retreat!

The first retreat, held November 2009 in Tarrytown, New York, was absolutely amazing. We were sequestered away at the Rockefeller estate and a bit secluded–this gave us lots of time to get to know each other and work together. However, the D.C. retreat will be more interactive, and I’m incredibly excited to jump in and get started!

‘Tis the season…for some good reading material.

On a plane, one has few choices as to how to the pass the time. I have a difficult time sleeping on planes for long periods (which is why international flights are the worst), so when I’m not clacking away on my laptop, it’s magazines and books.

I have a pretty standard rotation: I always pick up that month’s Harper’s Bazaar at the airport. But beforehand, I pop by my local bookstore to get the latest edition of Bitch magazine–feminist analysis of pop culture in fun-size bites! In addition to my magazines, I always bring a book or two.

I’ve been on a plane a lot lately. And I’ve gotten a lot of reading done. And since I’ve been reading some pretty good stuff, I thought I’d share it with you.

  • Children of Dust by Ali Eteraz. Following Ali Eteraz as he chases his ideals and ricochets off the shattered results is a fascinating ride. He has been on journeys most of us will never come close to undertaking, but many of his experiences have behind them the same hopes, rebellions, and hunger for belonging that the rest of us struggle with. His memoir is a bright look into resilience and renewal: Eteraz reminds us that no matter how disappointed we are with today, tomorrow will always bring something new. It’s a pretty amazing book: you’ll devour it on the plane, and then you’ll put on your Snuggie and turn on your reading light to read it again when you get home. Eteraz talked about the book on NPR’s Fresh Air–give it a listen.
  • Push by Sapphire. After Precious screened at Sundance and the entire feminist and anti-racist blogosphere started talking about it (including my lady Latoya Peterson, who has some great articles about it at Jezebel.), I was dying to read this. I’ll be honest: I picked up this version at the Minnesota St. Paul airport, which has a nice discussion guide in the back. You can bet I’ll be seeing the movie when I get a chance.
  • Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. There is a reason that this book was on The New York Times best seller list for so long last summer. There is a reason why all of my Muslim colleagues have been raving about the book and Eggers. Everyone has been talking about this book because it is a sad story wrapped up in a beautiful one, and because the Zeitouns (on whom the book is based) are amazing people, and because Eggers tells their story incredibly. On top of all this, Eggers has done wonderful work with the Muslim community through this book, and all of the author proceeds from it go the Zeitoun Foundation, which aids in the rebuilding of New Orleans.

If your gift list has a reader on it, I suggest you pick up some of these books!

Update: Day 1 of AMCLI

Today was the first full day of the AMCLI retreat. It was full of meeting great people, seeing wonderful things, and lots of group learning.

We got a chance to take a tour of the beautiful Rockefeller Brother’s Fund property, on which we’re currently staying. I took some breathtaking pictures of the sprawling acreage and the gorgeous fall foliage. Frankly, I think Oregon’s foliage is better and more vibrant, but a beautiful fall landscape is a beautiful fall landscape–no complaints here.

I’ve been able to meet a few really wonderful people here from all different types of activist channels: Islamic Relief, Muslims Advocates Against Violence, the Ilm Foundation, and more. We were also graciously given training exercises by Jewish Funds for Justice.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to talk a bit more about these amazing people and the work they do when I get some time.

Unfortunately, while I was wrapped up in AMCLI and unplugged from the outside world, tragedy struck the men and women of our country’s largest military base, Ft. Hood. An army psychiatrist shot and killed 12 and wounded 31 in a horrific assault on his compatriots. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. My Allah give them peace.

Cue Frank Sinatra

I’m in New York City this week for my first AMCLI retreat, and I’m pretty excited about it. Especially because I’m going to meet up with plenty of Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow friends that I met last time when I was in New York.

I’m anticipating great things! They’ve got us scheduled every which way, but I’ll try and sneak in some blog time to let you know how things are coming!