Institute of Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) reaches out to APPNA
(L-R) Dr. Waheed Akbar (former APPNA President) confers with Ms. Fakhia Rashid (Director of Development ISPU) , Dr. Latafat Hamzavi and Dr. Raana Akbar (former APPNA President)
during 30th APPNA Annual Summer Meeting at Orlando, Florida June 27th - July 1st 2007

The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU):            For a list of ongoing ISPU projects click here

 ISPU is an independent, non-profit institution committed to education, research and analysis of key US public policy issues, with an emphasis on issues related to the American Muslim community.  ISPU challenges the shaping of domestic and foreign policies that currently suffers from a lack of American Muslim input.  ISPU is established on the idea that every community must address, debate and contribute to the pressing issues facing our nation.

 ISPU has a strong belief that ideas matter and that an idea can change the world.   We are the only think tank that at its core specializes in the Muslim community, and strives to influence the policymaking process.

 

ISPU provides cutting-edge analysis and policy solutions through publications, public events, media commentary, and community research. Our multidisciplinary approach, in partnership with universities and other research institutes, serves to build understanding and create programs that effect lasting social change.

 

In the past several months, ISPU has produced the following thought provoking and influential policy reports:

 

bulletTeacher Retention in Religious Schools as Primer for Teacher Retention in Public Schools, by By Omar Ezzeldine
bullet American Immigration Policy since 9/11: Impact on Muslim Migrants, by Christopher R. Counihan
bullet Blaming Islam: Examining The Religion Building Enterprise, by Louay Safi, ISPU Fellow. In the report, Dr. Safi argues that containing radical groups and ensuring more friendly and cooperative relations with the Muslim world requires a drastic shift in policy and attitude. In addition, American Muslims can be of great help in reconciling the differences between the United States and the Muslim world while also helping to fight terrorism and extremism. It suggests that US government officials should involve American Muslim scholars and leaders on policies relating to Islam and the Muslim world.
bullet The Detroit Mosque Study: Muslim Views on Policy and Religion, by Ihsan Bagby, ISPU Fellow.  This national mosque survey studied American Muslim communities across the country to understand their demographics, political and religious beliefs. This study has great implications for policy planning. Dr. Bagby believes that examining mosques and their leadership is the first step in understanding the Muslim community and a necessary step in improving their standing in the society at large. There is also a need to confront the concern in official circles and the general public that the mosques are becoming increasingly radicalized.

 In addition, ISPU and the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute jointly sponsored an important conference titled, "Islamophobia: The Threat and Policy Challenges" in Washington, D.C. on December 4th, 2006.  Numerous scholars and government officials from Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and the State Department engaged in dialogue about the impact of Islamophobia on civil rights and the security of American Muslims.   This conference was a significant first step in defining the scope of anti-Muslim sentiment and served as an impetus to further the public policy discourse on this important topic.

 Moreover, in July 2006, the Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and

Public Life contracted ISPU to conduct focus groups with Muslims in Detroit, Michigan, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, California and Atlanta, Georgia. The aim of the focus group research was to generate data to be used in the design of a national survey of the

Muslim American community.

 The report was release on May 22nd, 2007 and Farid Senzai, Fellow and Director of Research at ISPU, made comments at a press conference in Washington, DC. Mr. Senzai also served as a member of Pew's outside advisory board on this project.

 Finally, ISPU was invited by the Office of Policy Planning at the State Department (May 7, 2007).  Policy Planning serves as an internal think tank for the Department of State. Policy Planning also serves as an institutionalized "second opinion" on policy matters- providing recommendations and alternative courses of action to the Secretary of State.

The officials were very impressed with the ISPU team and the analysis of US relations with the Muslim World as well as the in depth analysis of Islamist groups in the Middle East.
 

·        We strongly challenged and critiqued US foreign policy and provided specific policy recommendations for improvement.

·        They intend to write a memo highlighting our conversation to Secretary Condolezza Rice as well as a memo to the entire department staff.

·        ISPU has established legitimacy with the department. This is especially relevant since our conversation was with the Policy Planning dept and they understood that policy needs to change if we are to improve relations with the Muslim World.

 

They would like ISPU to come in on a regular basis and provide consultation to the department on key issues of mutual concern.  They would also like for this to be a collaborative effort in which we help set the agenda and themes for discussion. Our next meeting is scheduled for September, 2007.

 

ISPU produces quality reports, case studies and policy briefs that are subsequently distributed to opinion leaders, policy makers, Congressional leaders, and national and international organizations and agencies.   For your reference, we maintain an electronic library at www.ispu.us . 

 

We are always looking for support for our projects.  There are many important studies that ISPU would like to pursue but lacks proper funding.  If you or any of your contacts would like support any of the listed projects or have ideas for other studies please contact us.  It is very important that we continue to support organizations such as ISPU.  There is an imperative need to build institutions that allow Muslims to influence the public policy process.  I believe that it is our responsibility to become sophisticated as a community and gain recognition that demonstrates our strength and size as a community.  In order to make a difference in the US as well as abroad we need to start influencing policy collectively through proper institutions! And ISPU provides the Muslim community with such opportunity.

 

Hosting Opportunity:

 Private dinner parties are an opportunity to host an evening with friends, to have

intellectual discussion about pressing issues, to have one-on-one conversations  with ISPU’s renowned scholars, and most of all, to support the work of ISPU. We find these events are remarkably effective in helping individuals to better understand ISPU work in providing alternative perspectives to the current policy-making echelons of the political, academic and public-relations arenas in the US. It is these home hospitality dinners that often make the biggest impact on individuals as they allow for intimate conversations that lead to a deeper understanding of ISPU mission and its importance.  ISPU helps in arranging the dinners and assists in the entire process.  This is an easy and fun way to support our cause.  We call these gatherings: "Dinner with a Purpose."  For question please contact me.    

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Sincerely yours,

Fakhia Rashid

Director of Development

The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

www.ispu.org

rashidf1979@gmail.com

847-962-9077