Renewing the Civil Rights Movements Now | Imam Omar Suleiman in Conversation With Maïmonatou Mar

As the political polarization divides the US population, the once ideas of social progress turned again into securitarian attempts to protect the borders, the job market, the national identity, therefore reviving the White Supremacy mindset. The acceptance of violence, racism and social injustice nurtured the institutionalization of the fears depleting the State engagement to dignity. George Floyd's death crystallized the wrath of the minorities seeking for a systemic change with the unprecedented massive support of the majority. As a Muslim clerical and human rights activist, Imam Dr Omar Suleiman will share his perspectives on the renewal of the new Civil Rights movements. In a discussion with the French activist Dr Maïmonatou Mar, he will talk about the need to tackle the democratic crisis through a two side strategy: radical and human of reformation (top down) and community empowerment (bottom up). From an updated narration of State racism, Imam Dr Omar Suleiman will point at the urgent need for institutional reforms to collectively break free from social injustice. If rooted in a racial American story of White Supremacy, his description of social injustice will echo with other types of nationalisms worldwide, all of them being threats to life of the most deprived. Imam Dr Omar Suleiman will highlight as well the crucial importance of smart intersectional alliances to restore power and dignity of each and everyone through communities. He will illustrate it with his multiple experiences, including the Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith coalition of clergy for peace and justice operating at the Border. 

SPEAKERS

Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman is a world renowned scholar and theologically driven activist for human rights. He is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. He's also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith coalition of clergy for peace and justice. He frequently writes for CNN, USA Today, The Guardian, Huffpo, and The Dallas Morning News.His career started in his hometown of New Orleans where he served as the Imam of the Jefferson Muslim Association in New Orleans for 6 years and directed the "Muslims for Humanity" Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. It was in this time that he was noted on a national level as being a strong advocate of community service, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. Most recently, he was recognized by CNN as one of the 25 most influential Muslims in America and included amongst the Fredrick Douglass 200 most influential Americans whose modern day work embody the legacy of the great abolitionist.

Maïmonatou Mar, phD, is the cofounder of Gribouilli, the French social venture empowering domestic workers. Gribouilli launched the first community for nannies in Paris. They are key workers but invisible: mainly middle-age women with migration backgrounds who suffered from isolation and the digital divide. Nearly a thousand nannies benefit from information, P2P learning, basic learning and soft skills class for their economic inclusion and access to decent work. Gribouilli offers leadership programs through an Ambassador program for nannies. Ambassadors of Gribouilli therefore collaborate with public-private partners to improve the public policies. They also develop a coop with more inclusive and accessible commercial services to the benefit of the families. Gribouilli is a 3yr multi-award winning organization (Prizes from Paris City, the Foundations JL Lagardère and Deloitte...). Maïmonatou is an A. de Rothschild Fellow, CXC/Ashoka Fellow and a 2020 Paris Talent.