Non-US citizens applying for regular positions based in the U.S. must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa.

 NPF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Participants Wanted for US Study Tour on Islam in the United States

May-June 2007

The National Peace Foundation, USA (NPF) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) are soliciting applications from qualified individuals to participate in a 3 week study tour in the United States focused on Islam in America.   The program is “Religion and Society: A Dialogue”.

The Program:

The NPF/ ISNA program is “Islam in America: New Dimensions in Activism, Pluralism and Thought”.  It is a citizen exchange program focusing on building a dialogue of Muslim thinkers, practitioners, writers, and activists from Arab countries with Muslims in America who are active in religious and cultural Islamic work in the US and with representatives of other major religions.  The goals are;

• to create and sustain a mutually beneficial relationship where both groups learn from each about their experience and thinking in all its forms and practices
• to discuss the compatibility of religious practice and democratic social and political values and structures
• to discuss the benefits produced by coexistence among religious communities, and the practice of Islam in a multi-cultural, multi-religious context.

Participants will attend workshops, meetings, seminars and experiential events related to themes such as:

• Islam in Practice in America - Day-to-Day
• Experience of America’s Religious Pluralism
• Successful Experience of Women: Muslims and Others
• Building Religious and Social Communities
• Scholarship of Religious Study

 Examples of these events can include:

a) a meeting with leaders in an American mosque or Islamic center such as the board of directors, the Imam, and members to discuss topics such as elections, discuss use of facilities and approaches to resolving disputes

b) interfaith discussions held at a church. 

c) observe American Muslims involvement in local and national politics, and many Muslim political affairs organizations who work to address the positive public image of Islam

d) visit Muslim schools in the US to observe their challenges in

e) curriculum building and teaching Arabic and Quran

f) participate in seminars related to ideas of Islam and Democracy.

Itinerary:

The tour is approximately 17 days. The group will be composed of 14 individuals who will travel by air from their countries to Washington, DC.  They will continue their study tour in Chicago and nearby towns and return to Washington, DC before returning home. All expenses including air travel, hotels, meals and J-1 visa fees are paid by the National Peace Foundation, USA. 

We are looking for candidates who:

We are looking for individuals with an interest in the discussion of Islam who are engaged in important leadership roles in the countries they live in.  They should be involved in scholarship, writing, oration, administration of religious institutes, political discourse, activism, civil society building, and other areas related which reflect on Islamic life.

Applicants can be individuals who have backgrounds related to Islam, the Quran, Islamic Law, Islamic History, Islam and Democracy or are engaged in the dialogue of religion and civil society. They can be Muslim Imams, university professors, high school teachers, teachers of Arabic, writers and thinkers, activists or members of organizations involved in civil society building, and others who are independent thinkers.

Applicants are invited to submit the enclosed application who:

1. reside or hold citizenship in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia
2. men and women
3. Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims

Knowledge of the English language is not a requirement however it is helpful. Applications will be accepted from self nominations as well as nominations from organizations.

 Application Instructions:

To apply:

1. submit attached application form in Arabic or English
2. submit a copy of your passport
3. submit at least 1 letter of reference

Application must be received by December 20^th, 2006 by email to Sahar Taman SaharTaman@yahoo.com  or by fax to: 801-642-8723 (USA) or by mail to:  National Peace Foundation, Attn: Sahar Taman, 421E. Wisconsin St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 USA.

Interviews and Decisions:

Where possible an in-person interview will be held in one of these cities; Cairo, Damascus, Amman, or Riyadh from early to mid-January 2007.  Interviews may also be conducted via internet if possible.  Acceptance decisions will be made by mid-February.

Acceptance and Visa Approval:

Once accepted into the program your application will be sent to the US Embassy for Visa approval.  This is a rigorous process which can take several weeks or months.

Project sponsorship:

The National Peace Foundation, USA along with the Islamic Society of North America are completely independent in planning, organizing and administers the Dialogue Project program.  The US State Department only provides funding.

Participant Agreement:

We require willing participants who are conscious that they will be fully engaged in the complexity of American culture. Participants understand, feel comfortable and agree that they are required to participate in events where men and women, Muslims and persons of other religions, and persons representing many ethnic backgrounds are also participating as presenters, hosts, discussants, coordinators.  Participants should be willing to be accessible for media interviews.  The Dialogue Project program will be sensitive of applicant’s cultural requirements such as dietary restrictions. 

For more information contact: 

Sahar Taman at SaharTaman@yahoo.com or 703-582-5683 (USA)

or Mohamed El-sanousi melsanousi@isna.net  or 317-839-1803 (USA).

Application Download

• Download application form in English
• Download application form in Arabic

At this time the Foundation does not offer opportunities for Interns. We hope that some form of an intern program will be available in the future. Please visit this page periodically for future announcements.

To make a tax-deductible donation to this or any of our programs, Please mail your check made out to the National Peace Foundation to our address below. Credit card payments are also accepted (Visa/Mastercard/American Express). Please drop us a note with your name, address, donation amount and credit card information via regular post.

We have a secure on-line payment process, and you can make donations at

 http://www.active.com/donate/nationalpeace

Thank you

National Peace Foundation

We want your feedback! Please contact us at npf@nationalpeace.org National Peace Foundation www.nationalpeace.org. Copyright 2003