— Muslim Alliance of Indiana

MAI strongly believes that Mus­lim Hoosiers are at their best when we col­lab­o­rate and com­mu­ni­cate with one another. Fur­ther­more, MAI also believes our work, which aims to serve our diverse com­mu­ni­ties and to empower them, is best guided by input from the broad­est range of Mus­lim Hoosier voices. To help achieve these two goals, the MAI Board of Direc­tors approved a res­o­lu­tion in May of this year to estab­lish the Coun­cil of Indi­ana Mus­lim Orga­ni­za­tions. This statewide fed­er­a­tion will con­sist of the pres­i­dents of Mus­lim orga­ni­za­tions from across our state. The Coun­cil will meet twice annu­ally. It will pro­vide direc­tion for the MAI’s activ­i­ties and will aid the MAI’s efforts to strengthen the Mus­lim Hoosier community.

Mus­lim Hoosiers are strongest when we know each other and can dis­cuss our chal­lenges and solu­tions col­lec­tively and respect­fully. Unity is not agree­ing all the time but the will­ing­ness to come together and insure that we under­stand and respect one another. To use an old Amer­i­can adage: “united we stand, divided we fall.”

On Sunday, March 16, 2014, the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) teamed up with Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) to present a Docudrama Film produced by UPF titled, “Enemy of the Reich: The Noor Inayat Khan Story.”  There was a strong turnout at the Movie Premier, which took place in Carmel High School’s Dale E. Graham Auditorium.  The total number of guests in attendance was over 250 people.

The event began shortly after 4:30 p.m. with the honoring of Dr. Dorothy Simpson-Taylor.  Dr. Simpson-Taylor is a United States’ veteran and is on the board of the Sister Soldier Network, an organization dedicated to mobilizing, engaging, and supporting the health and well being of military families and veterans.  Dr. Simpson-Taylor was honored because of her commitment and courage to helping others, especially those military members who suffer from military related ailments, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

After presenting the award to Dr. Simpson-Taylor, Co-Executive Producer of “Enemy of the Reich,” Mr. Michael Wolfe gave the audience some insight on why he chose the story of Noor Inayat Khan.  One of the main attractions for choosing Khan’s story was because of the lack of exposure of Muslims who fought for the Allies during the Second World War.  There were many Muslims who fought for the Allies during that war.  Muslims from India came to assist the English and many Muslims from North and West Africa assisted the French.  However, their histories are largely untold by the history classes.

Another reason this story was important to Mr. Wolfe was that Khan had a very interesting and unique background.  Khan was a descendent of Tipu Sultan, an 18^th-century ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.  Khan’s father was Hazrat Inayat Khan, head of the Sufi Order International.  And while growing up, Khan was brought up in a home that taught worship and faith, which is something she was able to use during the toughest of times during her work for the Allies during the war.

The film began with the background of Khan, by discussing her grandfather and parents.  It then transitions to the death of her father and how her strength became much more apparent, not only in her home, but also for the Allied troops.  Throughout the film, there is testimony from two of Khan’s nephews, along with historians from Universities in the United Kingdom and the United States.

After the end of the film, Mr. Azher Khan, President of MAI, gave a few words, once again congratulating Dr. Simpson-Taylor and thanking Mr. Wolfe for partnering with MAI to present the film. 

Our next even will be the “I Am Change,” a workshop about active citizenship. It’s about each of us embracing our rights as Muslim Americans to work with decision makers in our local communities, in our state legislatures, and in Congress to shape better policies.If you have questions regarding the event or would like to sign up, please do not hesitate to email Events@indianamuslims.org.

 Author: Romy Elswerky, MAI task force member

Welcome to our new website! With the hard work of a dedicated team, MAI is excited to launch a new website. Meet our MAI web taskforce team.

Javeria Masood, IT Student at Pennsylvania State University; Waseema Ali, Chief of Staff, MAI; and Carey Craig, Executive Director, MAI

“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting [to all that is good], enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful” (Quran 3:104)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., once said, Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initative. It calls for Americans from all walks to life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national projects.

CIMO member, Al- Mumineen, held their food panty on Saturday Jan 18th from 1-3 where they  not only distributed food, but also distribute mittens, scarfs and hats to the children in attendance.  Then on Jan 20th, they distributed more mittens, scarfs, and hats to children living in one of the poorest zip codes in Indianapolis, 46205. CIMO member, Al Huda,  gathered and distributed food at the Wheeler Mission, located in Indianapolis, IN.

Thought leadership provided by RISE, “Answering the Call of God and Country.”