MPV’s Book Launch Featuring Dr. Khaled Abou Fadl & Comedian Aasif Mandvi

Oct. 31, 2011 - PRLog -- CONTACT: Fatima Thompson / 703-901-0720 / info@mpvusa.org

MPV’s Book Launch Featuring Dr. Khaled Abou Fadl & Comedian Aasif Mandvi

Los Angeles, CA – Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) Launches Their New Anthology With Book Reading At UCLA Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 11:00 am.

UCLA - 405 Hilgard Ave., Room 1457 Law, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Parking is available hourly or at day rates of $11.
RSVP is not required but appreciated and can be done by email to info@mpvusa.org.

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) invites all to celebrate the launch of it’s latest anthology “Progressive Muslim Identities: Personal Stories from the U.S. and Canada” edited by Vanessa Karam, Olivia Samad and Ani Zonneveld. Dr. Khaled Abou el Fadl, Professor of Islamic Studies and Law at UCLA, who is one of the world’s leading authorities on Islamic law and Islam, and a prominent scholar in the field of human rights, will open the event.  The event features comedian Aasif Mandvi (of “Today’s Special” and “The Daily Show”) who wrote the preface to the book.  There will be readings from the anthology by several of the contributors: Ahmed Morsy, M. Ameerah Saleem, Olivia Samad, Sahira Traband and Sumaya Cole.

“The rise in bullying incidents of Muslim children nationwide made me realize that we had to act, to neutralize the fear of Muslims and Islam. This book is a collective effort by our community addressing Islamophobia and in the process defining what our American Islam is.” says Ani Zonneveld. In “Progressive Muslim Identities” the voice of progressive Muslims is presented by gay, straight, black, white and brown writers from the United States and Canada. Narrating their personal story, their voice powerfully highlights human dignity, freedom of conscience and the inner strength it takes to live by their ideals.

[“The poetry of ordinary North American Muslims lives is not often recited, and is almost never anthologized. That is precisely why this volume is so important. It tells us the stories of Canadian and American Muslims in their own words…”
Amir Hussain, Ph.D., Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles]

The anthology can be purchased at the event and autographed by the writers. Books are $15 payable in exact change, check (made out to MPV) or by credit card. ‘Progressive Muslim Identities’ can also be purchased from the organization’s website – www.mpvusa.org. NOOK and Kindle versions are also available.

To learn more about MPV and this event please visit www.mpvusa.org.
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To arrange for an interview of Ani Zonneveld or one of the contributors participating in the launch, please contact her at 323-842-2869 (PST) or ani@mpvusa.org

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007 by Ani Zonneveld and Pamela Taylor. MPV asserts that Islam is inherently progressive, inclusive and egalitarian which is an understanding that informs the ten principles by which the organization is guided. In the short years since its inception, MPV has expanded to include chapter and affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta and Philadelphia as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information can be found at www.mpvusa.org.

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Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007 by Ani Zonneveld and Pamela Taylor. MPV asserts that Islam is inherently progressive, inclusive and egalitarian which is an understanding that informs the ten principles by which the organization is guided. In the short years since its inception, MPV has expanded to include chapter and affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta and Philadelphia as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information can be found at www.mpvusa.org.