Faith Leaders come together for Iftar

Faith leaders from several communities attended the Iftar dinner hosted at the Madina Institute in Little Rock.Those in attendance included United Methodist Bishop Laura Merrill (Arkansas and Oklahoma conferences), Rabbi Barry Block (Congregation B’Nai Israel), Rev. Patricia Mathews (The Interfaith Center of Arkansas) among others received by Imam Nawaz and several Madina board members. The guests partook in the ritual breaking of the fast and accompanied our community in the prayer hall during the Maghrib salat. Imam Nawaz presented a succinct summary of Ramadan experience during the last ten days of the Holy Month.

The guests also shared their spiritual journeys through their own faiths.

Click the link to see more pictures: https://bit.ly/49mW2bm

Iftar Dinner

Congregations from various faiths gathered at Madina Institute for an Iftar dinner. 
The evening was characterized by a feeling of unity, mutual understanding, and a strong commitment to peace
The event was a beautiful display of peace.

Love Thy Neighbor 2023

13th Annual Love Thy Neighbor event was held on September 7, 2023 . It was a peaceful celebration uniting people of all faiths through music, prayer, and wisdom. Faith leaders from diverse backgrounds also participated, fostering understanding and unity in our community. Special thanks to Sophia Said, the Chairwoman, and Imam Nawaz for their beautiful representation of Madina Institute Arkansas.

If you would like to watch this year's service, please visit Interfaith center’s YouTube page here: 
https://www.youtube.com/live/86_veOKLjbM?si=wqXIB1vq3Dxs4pWi
Please click the button below to view the highlights from the event.

Juneteenth Interfaith Service

This past week, Juneteenth was celebrated across the country. This crucial holiday serves as a reminder of the past and guidance for the future. This holiday was also celebrated through an interfaith service locally. Dr. Ahmad Yousaf represented the muslim community at this event; we are so blessed to have leaders in our community who serve as a voice in services such as these. 

To learn more about the event, click HERE.
See photos HERE.

Pilgrimage for Peace Recap

The 9th annual Pilgrimage for Peace was held on April 16th. This is an interfaith Remembrance Service for those who have died at the hands of violence. There was a great turnout of around 85 people who gathered together to uphold the pillars of peace for our state. Thank you to everyone who contributed and attended to make this event possible! 

Click HERE to view photos. 

Brooks Hays Award

Madina’s Chairwoman Sophia Said, was honored by the Second Baptist Church on their 139th anniversary celebrations held on Sunday, February 12, 2023, and was granted the prestigious Brooks Hays for her work with the Interfaith community. 

This recognizes someone who has made noteworthy contributions for the welfare of the state and for the common good. Sophia is the first non-Christian recipient ever to receive this award. The church recognized Sophia’s leadership in mobilizing diverse faith communities to help resettle Afghan refugees in Central Arkansas.

Learn more about Brooks Hays HERE.

Prayer

On January 1st, 2023, Madina Institute participated in a special prayer for Mayor Frank Scott Jr’s swearing in ceremony. Faith leaders from the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, and B’hai communities composed and recited prayers aimed at compassion, understanding, and guidance for his new term. Marcus Lowe represented Madina Institute at this event. 

Little Rock Faith and Race Summit

Recently Imam Nawaz represented Madina Institute at the annual Race and Faith Summit hosted by the Little Rock Congregations Study (LRCS) on November 2, 2022.

LRCS is a community-based research project at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, that has been studying faith-based racial justice and reconciliation. Madina Institute is committed to raise awareness about implicit bias and systemic racism by partnering with other faith communities in Central Arkansas.

Love Thy Neighbor

Having faith leaders from all different backgrounds experiencing prayer, wisdom, music, and fellowship together was witnessed on September 8th, 2022, in the interfaith event “Love thy Neighbor: Sowing Seeds of Promise.” We are grateful to Imam Khalid Latif, the chaplain of NYU, and Sophia Said, the chairwoman of Madina Institute, for representing our community.

Be sure to check out the event video HERE.

Together Little Rock

“Together Little Rock” was an event in which racial justice in regards to past and present times was discussed! Dr. Sara Tariq, a board member and co-founder of Madina Institute, also served as a panelist and remarked on how even small acts can be meaningful in making religious minorities feel like they are no longer on the margins.

Learn more about the event HERE.

Little Rock Congregations Study

For the last several years, Madina has been a part of the Little Rock Congregations Study (LRCS). Imam Nawaz joined as a member of the Clergy Advisory Board in May 2022 for the Little Rock Congregations Study! Among other endeavors, the Advisory Board will work on a book about the last 10 years of this study highlighting various meaningful projects led by faith-based organizations in our city.