Khan Academy

Salman Khan, an MIT grad started up a wonderful project called “Khan Academy”. It supplies an organized library of youtube videos covering maths to history.

The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Despite being the work of one man, Salman Khan, this 1600+ video library is the most-used educational video resource as measured by YouTube video views per day and unique users per month. We are complementing this ever-growing library with user-paced exercises–developed as an open source project–allowing the Khan Academy to become the free classroom for the World. Learn more about the Khan Academy and Salman Khan…

http://www.khanacademy.org/

“We feel that opening this world of access to the rich intellectual resource of a public university is core to what we do,” he said. “Anyone around the world, whether a taxi driver in London or budding computer engineer in Africa, can tune in.”

Students who take all or part of their classes online perform better, on average, than those who complete the same courses only in a traditional classroom, according to a meta-analysis – or a study of studies – released earlier this year by SRI International.

…

Among a field crowded with exalted institutions, Khan Academy stood out enough to be named as one of three laureates in the education category of this year’s Tech Awards, organized by the Tech Museum in San Jose.

Read more.

The “30 mosques” during Ramadan Project

These guys are all over the media and you should def check out their blog which is tastefully written and very interesting.

30 Mosques in 30 States is Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq’s Ramadan road trip across the United States.

Beginning August 11 in New York City, the two will spend each night of Ramadan at a different mosque in 30 states around the country. The two’s 12,000 mile route will essentially take them on an outline of the entire country and conclude in Dearborn, Michigan – home to one of the largest concentrations of Muslims in the country.

Muslims for the month of Ramadan are required to fast, going without food or drink from sunrise to sunset. There are an estimated 7 million Muslims living in the United States that come from a wide mix of ethnic backgrounds including African Americans, South and East Asians, Arabs and East Africans.

Each day during Ramadan, Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq will visit a different state and blog about the experience each night, highlighting stories about the people they’ve met, the mosque they prayed in and of course the tasty cuisines each place has to offer.

News: America is Islamophobic? WHHHHAATTTT …NO WAY

Seems like the news is being overwhelmed with Islam in America. Here are few links:

Public Remains Conflicted Over Islam – Pew Research Center

Muslim cab driver slashed by upstate New York man because of his religion, police say

Muslim Americans Are Also Dying for America – The Daily Beast

So disturbing: Rent-This-Missile Ad Agency Donates Two ‘Missiles’ To Protest Against Manhattan Mosque http://tpm.ly/9xfwuw

Battles Around Nation Over Proposed Mosques – NYTimes.com

The Daily Show’s Profile of a Bigoted Anti-Muslim Leader

Jon Stewart’s brilliance continues to shine. On the so-called “Ground Zero” Mosque: http://bit.ly/a7rj5i

The Parent Company Trap – The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – 08/23/2010 – Video Clip | Comedy Central

The Onion:Man Already Knows Everything He Needs To Know About Muslims

Second anti-Muslim Hate Crime in 24 Hours | loonwatch.com

Burn a Qur’an Day Fails Miserably – Maniac Muslim

Afro-Arab singer Malika Zarra & Takin’ It to the Streets event

Moroccan jazz artist Malika Zarra talks about the hardships faced by North Africans in Europe.

Source

She’ll be at the Takin’ It to the Streets event along with others like Mos Def.

InfoWhat: Takin’ It to the Streets: Urban International Festival
When: June 19th, 2010
Time: 9am-9pm
Location: 6734 S. Kedzie Ave. in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois Click here to see the map
Price: FREE*

*donations encouraged

20,000 people. 200 vendors.

100 artists. 4 stages.

1 day.

Takin’ It to the Streets is a Muslim-led festival where artistic expression, spirituality and urban creativity inspire social change.

Takin’ It to the Streets bridges today’s cultural divides by connecting diverse racial, ethnic, and religious communities through a dynamic festival. The festival will enrich cross-cultural community building not only in Chicago, but around the world.

Featured Artists:

• Mos Def – Grammy Winner
• Brother Ali – Minnesota, USA
• Tinarwein – Mali
• Chabab al Andalous – Morocco
• And many more!

Four Stages:

• Unity Stage: Reflects this unifying principle and showcases the diverse musical talents of contemporary artists
• Hip Hop Pavilion: Bringing together the elements of MCing, DJing, Breakin’, and graff art, with skateboarding and workshops
• World Music Stage: Blending global expression of traditional art forms through international artists
• Streets Stage: The festival’s signature stage bringing together dynamic performers and inspiring speakers

Activities:

• Faith & Justice: Speakers, panel discussion, and dialogue on a variety of issues relating to spirituality & social change
  
• International Bazaar: Cultural artifacts, multi-ethnic cuisine, community organizations and more!
• Health & Wellness Fair: Free health screenings, information on healthy living and refreshments 
  
• Sports Arena: 3-on-3 Basketball tournament open to all
  
• Family Zone: Rides, interactive games, children’s activities, and family-friendly performances
• Prayer Center: A quite space open all day for meditation, reflection and prayer
  

Additional Streets 2010 Events

Since its inception in 1997 as a single-day event, Takin’ It to the Streets has steadily grown in attendance and impact, and in 2010 it is preceded by a full week of events that embrace a new Muslim cultural renaissance.

Salaam Film Festival June 13-15: University of Chicago

A three-day festival highlighting the power of film as a tool for peace and social change. The festival will also screen films from the One Chicago, One Nation online film contest. Click here for more info

Melodies from Morocco June 16: Old Town School of Folk Music

The festival continues with a performance by the renowned Orchestre Chabab Al Andalous from Morocco Click here for more info

Dandana: A Celebration of Muslim Voices June 17: Millennium Park

World Music artists Tinariwen, from Mali, and Omar Faruk Tekbilek, from Turkey, will perform at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Click here for more info

About the Producer

Takin’ it to the Streets is produced by the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), a globally recognized leader that aims to change, serve and inspire by working on social justice issues, delivering a wide range of direct services, and cultivating the arts in urban communities.

The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Learn more about IMAN: www.imancentral.org

http://streets2010.com/

u.s. immigrant stories

Immigrant Stories is a recently launched project “documenting the stories that make the United States great and unique.” You are welcome and encouraged to submit your stories, videos, poetry, art, photos, etc., sharing how you, your parents or your ancestors immigrated to the U.S.

For more information on how to take part, go to the website here and the Facebook group here. Also read this piece in the Washington Post by Smith College student and fellow Muslim Ilana Alazzeh, who started the Immigrant Stories project: United States of immigrants.

Source.

Upcoming Project in the Bay Area

Sanaa Subhani, an activist in the Bay Area, is starting up a sports tournament to help a gravely lacking cohesive Muslim community in the area. There are rumors of the Muslim youth group Generation M being revived again and helping out with the project. There are also tentative plans for the venture eventually becoming a branch of MIST. [Previously written about here.]

If you are interested in volunteering or in helping fund this project you can email Sanaa at methysanu@hotmail.com.