CORPORATE MANAGERS TRAINING

As the US in general and the Arizona in particular have become increasingly ethnically diverse in recent years, the work place has been impacted by this new multiculturalism. Diversity can be a positive dimension that expands and enriches the workplace environment, or it can lead to increased misunderstanding, conflict, and decreased productivity. Muslims, like other minority groups, often experience discrimination on the job, such as the termination or denial of employment because of religious appearance, the refusal to accommodate religious practices on the job, or biased behavior by co-workers or supervisors. Such actions are commonly due to misconceptions or ignorance about Islam and its religious practices, rather than intentional prejudice. One way to prevent possible misunderstanding or discrimination on the job, while improving the working relationship and productivity of multi-ethnic and culturally diverse employees is through education. Education about that which is unfamiliar or unknown is the first step towards understanding and greater tolerance. Towards this end, Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) has an interactive presentation specially designed for corporate managers, which focuses on Muslims and their religious practices that might impact the workplace. With over 6 million Muslims living in the United States, most of whom are professionals in corporations, this seminar provides valuable insight into their beliefs and practices.

Corporate Managers Training Title:

“Orientation on Arab & Muslim Americans: Workplace Diversity Seminar for Corporations” This training covers the following subject matter:

• Common Stereotypes
• Sources of Stereotypes
• Consequences •Overview of Islamic
• Culture Local Demographics
• Understanding Muslim Religious Practices on the Job

Training Period: 1.5-2.0 hours

Training format: Interactive, where questions can be asked throughout.

Fees: Negotiable, based on available funding.

Equipment needed: Overhead projector & screen, or laptop, LCD projector and screen.

Number of presenters: One, or depending on need, could be a panel of speakers

Dear Law Enforcement Agent:

Cultural Competency Training:

Working With the Arab & Muslim American Communities

As our population in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and throughout the state becomes more diverse, it is increasingly important that those who serve the public have an insight and understanding into the various groups that make up the community.

Groups that have long been misunderstood and stereotyped, and have especially suffered from backlash and hate crimes since the September 11th tragedy and more recently with the war in Iraq, is the Muslim & Arab American communities. In fact, a recent poll by the Council on American-Islamic Relations found that harassment, violence and discriminatory treatment towards Muslim Americans in 2004 increased by nearly 70 percent since 2002 (the year after the September 11th terror attacks). Most of this increase is related to hate crimes, which have more than doubled in 2004. The same study also found that 86% of Americans have somewhat, or little to no knowledge of Islam, and that one of two Americans believe that Islam oppresses women.

Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA), a non-profit organization, has been providing cultural competency trainings about Islam, Muslims & Arabs to public institutions for the last nine years. Since 1999, ISBA has conducted trainings for police departments, FBI, and DOJ, and other law enforcement agencies around the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and in San Antonio, Texas.

The goal of this training is to provide an understanding and insight into the communities, which will enhance law enforcement’s capabilities and skills in interacting with members and institutions of the Muslim & Arab American communities. Benefits of the training include improved community policing through better understanding of Muslim & Arab cultures, more effective interaction with Muslims & Arabs as potential victims of hate crimes or as witnesses, and a safer environment for officers as they do their job.

Training Description

The training gives an overview of common stereotypes and their origins, basic beliefs and practices, protocols for effective interaction, and ways to build mutually beneficial relationships. The training is highly interactive, with questions and answers addressed throughout. Specific topics addressed are as follows:

• Cultural Competency in Law Enforcement
• Common Perceptions of Arabs & Muslims, Sources, Consequences & Impact on the Community
• Arab & Muslim Cultures
• Demographics
• Overview of the Contemporary Arab & Muslim World
• Political Islam & Terrorism
• Suggested Protocols for Interaction with Arabs, Muslims and their institutions
• Opportunities for Cooperation Between Local Muslims, Arabs, and Law Enforcement Agencies

As of 2003, ISBA’s 4 hour Law Enforcement training has been determined to qualify for AZ P.O.S.T. (continuing/proficiency) training credit.

Trainers

ISBA trainers have all attended Police Academy for Citizens in their local cities. In addition, all ISBA certified speakers are trained to uphold the ideals and principles of the First Amendment, guaranteeing that they provide academic and objective presentations about Islam and Muslims.

Testimonials

Response to the training has been overwhelmingly positive with feedback such as the following:

“Easy tounderstand and maintains neutrality so that all understand”

“Gave great information to give a good understanding”

“Clear, informative, objective”

To Schedule a Training

To meet your specific scheduling needs, there are two options for training: one conforms to AZ P.O.S.T. approval guidelines, and is a four-hour presentation delivered to a maximum of thirty participants. The other is more flexible, and can be delivered in a one-to-four hour time period, however we recommend not less than two hours.

To schedule a training for your agency, or to find out more about our training, please call (480) 946-0626 or fill out a Speaker Request Form. To learn more about our organization, you may also visit our website at http://www.isb-az.org. Although we can provide our services free of charge, if your agency has the budget for this type of training it would help defray our costs.

Please call the ISBA at (480) 946-0626.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Azra Hussain,
President

CORPORATE EMPLOYEES PRESENTATION

As the US in general and the Arizona in particular have become increasingly ethnically diverse in recent years, the work place has been impacted by this new multiculturalism. Diversity can be a positive dimension that expands and enriches the workplace environment, or it can lead to increased misunderstanding, conflict, and decreased productivity. Muslims, like other minority groups, often experience discrimination on the job, such as the termination or denial of employment because of religious appearance, the refusal to accommodate religious practices on the job, or biased behavior by co-workers or supervisors. Such actions are commonly due to misconceptions or ignorance about Islam and its religious practices, rather than intentional prejudice. One way to prevent possible misunderstanding or discrimination on the job, while improving the working relationship and productivity of multi-ethnic and culturally diverse employees is through education. Education about that which is unfamiliar or unknown is the first step towards understanding and greater tolerance. Towards this end, Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) has an interactive presentation specially designed for corporate employees, which focuses on Muslims and their religious practices that might impact the workplace. With over 6 million Muslims living in the United States, most of whom are professionals in corporations, this seminar provides valuable insight into their beliefs and practices.

Corporate Employee Brown-Bag Presentation Title:

“Orientation on Arab & Muslim Americans: Workplace Diversity Seminar for Employees” This presentation is especially designed to be fun, entertaining and fast paced. It ends with a humorous multiple-choice test. Subject matter covered is as follows:

• What’s in a Name?
• Who was Mohammed?
• Three dimensions of Islamic Culture
• Addressing Stereotypes: Terrorism
• Addressing Stereotypes: Women
• Culture vs. Islam
• Understanding Religious Practices on the Job

Presentation Period: 45 minutes Training format: Interactive, where questions can be asked throughout.

Handouts: Booklet titled, “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices”, published by CAIR Booklet titled, Discover Islam, The Reader, published by Transcom International

Fees: Negotiable, based on available funding.

Equipment needed: Overhead projector & screen, or laptop, LCD projector and screen.

Number of presenters: One, or depending on need, could be a panel of speakers.

ISBA actively participates in “interfaith dialogue” in order to share information about Islam as well as learn about other faiths. ISBA strives to present a balanced outlook to understand Islam in a multi-religious world. Speakers encourage a dialogue with the congregations of churches, temples, synagogues, and other spiritual organizations who wish to learn more about Islam.

• Sample Invitation
• Basic information on Islam
• Islamic Holiday Calendar
• Fill form to request a speaker