Fall - Winter ‘21-22 Halaqa Series
Upholders of Justice - Fall & Winter 2021 Halaqa Series
Oftentimes when we think of "justice," especially in the context of the world in which we live today, we may automatically jump to thinking about movements of social justice, fighting oppression, activism, and other rich examples of what we believe to be justice manifested. In Islam, Muslims are enjoined to not just be just, but "upholders of justice," even if it is against themselves. This upholding of justice is not one simply marked by collective demonstration or protest, but a holistic justice that includes oneself, as well as the world and community in which one lives.
In our newest Monthly Halaqa Series, Upholders of Justice, we strive to better understand this holistic justice, as well as our obligation as Muslims to being stewards of justice, even when at times it may be against ourselves.
The workshop will run from September through December, occurring on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7PM CST on Zoom, and is free and open for all to attend. Halaqas will consist of a 45 - 60 minute lecture followed by a short Q&A session.
Past Sessions
As the Halaqas happen and conclude we will be uploading them to our YouTube channel as well as posting them here for your convenience and access.
Halaqa #1: Love and Justice in Islam with Dr. Omid Safi
Halaqa #3: Spiritual Justice in Islam with Chaplain Sondos Kholaki
Scheduled for January 20th
Halaqa #2: Social Justice and Activism with Sr. Alia Salem
Halaqa #4: Civic Justice in Islam with Sr. Wardah Khalid
Confirmed Speakers
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Dr. Omid Safi
Omid Safi is a teacher in the Sufi tradition of Radical Love & Founder of Illuminated Courses & Tours. Omid’s passion for teaching has been recognized through the ten times that he has been nominated for professor of the year awards. He is currently a professor at Duke University specializing in Islamic spirituality and contemporary thought. A leading Muslim public intellectual, Omid is committed to the intersection of spirituality and social justice.
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Alia Salem
Alia Salem is the Founder and Executive Director of FACE (Facing Abuse in Community Environments). Her professional background is in organizational development, community organizing, and communications with a particular focus on the intersections of institutionalized racism and the push towards an equitable pluralistic society. She also has a certification in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
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Chaplain Sondos Kholaki
Sondos Kholaki is a hospital staff chaplain in Southern California. She earned a Master of Divinity in Islamic Chaplaincy from Bayan Islamic Graduate School. She is board-certified with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and is the author of the book, Musings of a Muslim Chaplain and the co-editor of “Mantle of Mercy: Islamic Chaplaincy in North America.”
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Wardah Khalid
Wardah Khalid is a policy analyst, career coach, and public speaker based in Washington, D.C. She currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Wardah is the Founder and Board President of Poligon Education Fund, a national civic education and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening American Muslim engagement with Congress.
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Kori Majeed
Kori Majeed has used her Green Ramadan platform to encourage Muslims to eat mindfully and tread lightly by cultivating sustainable habits during Ramadan since 2013. These habits are based on Islamic teachings and principles that call humanity to give all of Allah’s creation their rights. Kori is a GreenFaith fellow, Master Watershed Steward, a Muhammad Ali Scholar at Bayan Islamic Graduate School, and co-chair of the Green Team at Masjid Muhammad, the Nation’s Mosque, in Washington DC.