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welcome to Interfaith Institute

Brief Background

The Islamic Center of Long Island, since its establishment in 1984 in Westbury, Long Island has developed into one of the most progressive and well known Islamic centers in USA.

The Vision

Be a center of excellence for developing and sustaining a progressive, vibrant Interfaith community and a nurturing environment for the society at large.

The Mission

Engage Muslims and members of other faiths by promoting values and teachings of Islam and other faiths and to advocate /promote inter-faith harmony in a multicultural environment in accordance with the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.




Institute Launch

-The Interfaith Institute was formally introduced to the community with Prof John Andrew Morrow as the keynote speaker. This event was well attended and received extensive coverage in print and TV media— Newsday-Oct 24th 2015 and Oct 25th 2015. Prof. Morrow is the author of a book—Covenants of Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of his time.

Looking Ahead

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Raise the awareness of the Muslim community about the importance of Interfaith work with an informative article/ brochure, dedicated khutbah and regular sessions at the Sunday adult education program.

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Design training for teachers about themes related to interfaith work such as the expression of more positive ideas about all religions.

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Encourage more positive attitudes toward interacting peacefully with members of the other religions.

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A hub for theological exchange, where specialists seek to deepen their understanding of their respective religious heritages, and to appreciate each other’s spiritual values.

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Publication for a scholarly journal for interfaith engagement. It will be the first of its kind from an institute affiliated with a vibrant Islamic Center.

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Exchange visitors program where the Interfaith Institute will invite scholars and researchers to enhance interfaith initiatives.

some important facts

45 Board Members
30 + Years of Work
18000 + Sq. Foot Structure
1000 +
Attendees

Board Members

Interfaith Institute of Long Island

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Anu Bindra

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Anuja Shah, MD

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ARTHUR DOBRIN

ARTHUR DOBRIN

Prof. Hofstra University arthur.dobrin@gmail.com
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Dr. ARFA RASOOL KHAN

Dr. ARFA RASOOL KHAN

Member ICLI akhan1204@gmail.com
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BOB KEELER

BOB KEELER

Ret. Newsday Editor paxbob@mac.com
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Cantor David Katz

Cantor David Katz

Board of member
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Reverend Dr. Conrad Fischer, MD, MA

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Daisy Khan

Daisy Khan

daisy@daisykhan.com

Upcoming Events

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AN INTERFAITH RESPONSE TO LONELINESS

Brookville Church and Multifaith Campus 2 Brookville Road Glen Head, New York

Date of Event: 02/04/2024
Loneliness has been declared an epidemic in America, but is seldom mentioned in the scripture of three major Abrahamic faiths, or directly addressed by their leaders or adherents. Three persons from three Abrahamic faith traditions will address loneliness, followed by audience participation. Dobrin

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When is it Right to Break the Rules?

Jericho Public Library, One Merry Lane, Jericho, NY 11753 - USA

Date of Event: 11/12/2023
A fascinating conversation, moderated by Prof Arthur Dobrin
- Professor Arthur Dobrin

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2023 Annual Award

Hofstra University, Hempstead N.Y. 11550 - USL

Date of Event: 29/10/2023
Awardee Oscar Nominated Filmmaker Joshua Seftel

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Three Religious Leaders Discuss Real Life Problems of Conflicting Duties and Responsibilities

Westbury Public Library: 445 Jefferson Street, Westbury, NY 11590, USA

Date of Event: 05/07/2023

The Interfaith Institute presents a panel of three religious leaders who will discuss real-life problems of conflicting duties and responsibilities.

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CELEBRATING THE LIFE & ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. FAROQUE KAHN

The Cotillion 440 Jericho Turnpike Jericho, NY 11753, USA

Date of Event: 05/21/2023

Celebrating the Life & Achievements of Dr. Faroque Khan - Luncheon

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Responding to Others

Jericho Public Library -One Merry Lane, Jericho, NY 11753

Date of Event: 1/29/2023

Some of the religious and ethical concerns to be addressed:
1. What do you do when you see a parent harming a child?
2. Do you ignore school rules to help students in need?
3. Do you have an obligation to assist a hungry person?

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100 NOTABLE MUSLIM AMERICANS

New York

These brief biographical sketches were compiled through mostly online research. We divided the editorial tasks among ourselves and found that our intergenerational team afforded a wide array of complementary skills and perspectives. Though all of us had a hand in the editing and drafting, the group owes a particular debt of gratitude to our youngest colleague, Tahnia Disa, for her expertise in digital tools and design.


In conducting our research, we relied primarily on the subjects’ personal and institutional web pages, refereed encyclopedias like Britannica, and reputable, fact-checked news publications such as regional and national newspapers. We gathered a list of persons known to us, and we recognize that no list of notables can be complete; we regret any omissions. We have strived for accuracy, and any errors of fact are ours.

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ANNUAL INTERFAITH INSTITUTE AWARD

Brookville Multifaith Campus 2 Brookville Road Glen Head, NY 11545

Date of Event: 09/03/2022

Speaker and Awardee: PIERRE PIRARD: In recognition of Pierre's tireless work in building pathways to peace through his global documentary "All of Us".


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Film Premiere: ALL OF US

Greenvale, N.Y.
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Date of Event: 05/15/2022

This film tells the stories of people from across the globe who dare to take steps toward the “other", despite many obstacles.


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THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE: HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

New York, USA
8:00 PM

Date of Event: 03/10/2022

Dr. Benjamin Rifkin, a professor of Russian at Hofstra University and a member of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Institute of Long Island, will share with us background on the history of relations between Russians and Ukrainians. In his talk, he will take up the explanations offered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to justify the invasion of Ukraine.


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Death and Dying, the Faith, and the Community

New York, USA
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Date of Event: 2/24/2022

Death and Dying, the Faith, and the Community In Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, and Sikhism.


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IFI News - Chairman's Update

New York, USA
07:00 - 08:30 PM


It was a year ago on March 8th 2020 the Interfaith Institute had its in person program with a sizable number of attendees followed by social interaction and some refreshments. I recall having a chat with supervisor Judy Bosworth about the ‘virus’ which had affected many congregants in a Synagogue in Westchester. Soon after, all of us learnt about Covid 19 which has had huge impact on all of us, the 500,000 plus deaths in USA, lockdowns, job losses and social isolation.


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Slavery on Long Island

New York, USA
07:00 - 08:30 PM


Slavery, the wicked institution rightfully known as America’s original sin, was not limited to the South. It happened right here on Long Island. A group of journalism students at Stony Brook University researched that history, and this program explores their work.


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We Refuse to be Enemies

New York, USA
10:30 AM

How Muslim and Jews can make Peace, One friendship at a time.

Interfaith Institute of the Islamic Center of Long Island and Temple Or Elohim, A Community Reform Congregation Host Impassioned Appeal for Muslim-Jewish Unity in Defense of Democracy


The Muslim and Jewish co-authors of a book promoting Muslim-Jewish friendship and trust appealed directly to members of their respective communities to “stand together to protect democracy, pluralism and religious liberty in America.”

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Fourth Annual Interfaith Institute Award

New York, USA
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Alex Kronemer, Executive Director of Unity Productions Foundation
Unity Productions Foundation is a non-profit film studio that works to create peace through the media, to empower citizens with greater understanding and to nourish pluralism in America

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The Sultan and the Saint

New York, USA
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Brookville Multifaith Campus
2 Brookville Rd., Glen Head, NY 11545 516-626-0414
Two men of faith, one a traveling Christian preacher, the other the ruler of a Muslim Empire, bucked a century of war, distrust, and insidious propaganda in a search for...

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A Little Town in Iowa,A Statue in Geneva, and The Meaning of Jihad

New York, USA
2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Moderator: Sahar Hussain, director of the Hamza Academy in Valley Stream and member of the board of directors of the Interfaith Institute.
Speakers: Mufti Mohammad Farhan, PhD, executive director of the Islamic Center of Long Island.
Daisy Khan, founder and executive director of the Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE). At a Washington conference in September,...

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What you need to know about the government

New York, USA
2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

What you need to know about the government -Village, Town, County and State level - Speakers Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro, Nasrin Ahmed and others.

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Book Discussion – Harder Right Led by Professor Arthur Dobrin

New York, USA
2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Book Discussion – Harder Right Led by Professor Arthur Dobrin



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Passover Cedar

New York, USA
2:15PM - 4:30PM

Passover Seder
Organized by IFI Board members-Dean Benjamin Rifkin and Rabbi Michael White.



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Planning a program led by Dr Panna Shah and Rev Tom Goodhue

New York, USA
2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Planning a program led by Dr Panna Shah and Rev Tom Goodhue.



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Checkout our Other Events

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IFI 3rd Annual Awards

New York, USA
2.15PM - 4.30PM

Third annual awards event with focus on Muslim Jewish Advisory Council (MJAC) - its accomplishments and plans ahead. Both national co-chairs Mr. Farooq Kathwari (CEO Ethan Allen) and Mr. Stanley M Bergman (CEO of Henry Schein and immediate and past president of AJC plan to participate).

RSVP Link : Click Here for RSVP Link


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Events

Launch of Institute on Sunday Oct 25th 2015

New York, USA

This event attracted a large gathering, received extensive TV and print media coverage in Newsday, Long Island Press and Islamic Horizon magazine. The very favorable comments by key participants from other faiths- Hofstra Dean B. Firestone, SUNY Old Westbury president Dr. C Butts. Rev Tom Goodhue from Long Island Council of Churches and others were taped and are available to many groups and organizations on LI and beyond.

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Conference at UN Sponsored by OIC and Pakistan Embassy

New York, USA

The presentation was very well received. We were able to share a short video from the Oct 25th launch of the interfaith institute of ICLI--a virtual tour of ICLI & its interfaith institute and brief excerpts from friends and supporters (Dr. Isma Chaudhry, Lynn Dobrin, Pless Dickerson, Justice Liotti, Richard Tibbets, Rev Calvin Butts, Steve Markowitz, Dean Bernard Firestone, Jon Overvold etc.). Several copies of the journal from the institute launch were provided to the attendees.

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Interfaith Institute in the media

New York, USA

More than 100 Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and members of other faiths gathered at the newly expanded Interfaith Institute of the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI) recently, for the first annual awards event.
People from different faiths enthusiastically came together to furthur the mission and vision of the Institute, engage Muslims and members from diverse cultures and communities by promoting the ...

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Events

What’s at Stake: If News is “Fake!”

New York, USA
2.00PM - 4.00PM

Organized and moderated by IFI board member Mr. Robert Keeler

A conversation about what we can do to support good journalism at a time when this pivotal institution is under fire. Our keynote speaker will be Howard Schneider, dean of the Stony Brook University School of Journalism and the prescient pioneer of “news literacy” education.

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