2009 Programs and Events
American Muslim Women Study Religion and Culture in the UAE
Twenty-one American Muslim women recently spent several weeks studying Islam, Arabic language and Arab culture at the Zayed House for Islamic Culture in Al-Ain. The participants were selected from over 200 applicants and represent many different parts of the United States, from Washington, D.C. in the east, to Washington State in the west.
Their program, developed in cooperation with the American Congress for Muslim Youth, was designed to enrich their understanding of faith and culture, inspire moderate and tolerant interpretations of Islam, and develop ties of friendship and understanding by empowering them to bring their experiences in the UAE back to American Muslims and others.
This is the second such program developed by the ACMY and Zayed House; in December of 2007, ACMY brought two dozen American Imams for a two month program in the UAE to expand their study of Islam and their understanding of religion, language and culture.
During the graduation ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson congratulated the graduates for taking this opportunity for dialogue and exchange between Muslims in the U.S. and around the world. ACMY Director Khaled Ahmed expressed his great admiration for the accomplishments of the participants, praising their devotion to faith and their willingness to interact across cultural boundaries with their fellow Muslims.