Urgent Request for Donations from the Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS), North America

Commentary from Professor Rafik Beekun: As the former AMSS (North America) President (2003-2007), I believe that the Association of Muslim Social Scientists is one of the very few Islamically-focused academic organizations that groups some of the leading thinkers in the field of Islamic social sciences. It has been very active in many fields including Islam as a field of study, political science, philosophy, ethics, psychology, etc. as they pertain to Islam and Muslims. Founded in 1972 by Professor Ismail Faruqi, it has been led over years by key Islamic scholars including Professors Abdulhamid AbuSulayman and Professor Ali Mazrui, our current President.

Please read the attached request from President Ali Mazrui, donate part (or all of) your zakat funds generously. It is a worthwhile cause and is 501 (c) 3. AMSS is strictly an academic research and education-oriented organization, and is not associated with any religious or political organization. If you need any additional information, please visit AMSS’s website at http://www.amsss.org or call Layla Sein, the AMSS Conference coordinator at (703) 471-1133. You can also reach Layla at: conferences@amss.org

Please feel free to forward the downloadable AMSS request letter from Professor Ali Mazrui to all relevant brothers and sisters in your email contact list.

Donations Request from Professor Ali Mazrui, AMSS (North America) President

July 16, 2010

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

By serving as a forum for scholars since its inception in 1972, the Association of Muslim Social Scientists of North America (AMSS) functions as an academically- and intellectually-oriented organization, and, as such serves as a foundation for Muslim community “think-tanks.” Our activities are possible through the support of dedicated individuals and organizations.

By bringing together Muslim and non-Muslim scholars in an academic setting, AMSS plays an integral role in examining and defining Islamic perspectives on issues of global concern. AMSS activities include lectures and annual and regional conferences cosponsored by universities in the US and Canada, and a Graduate Paper Awards competition held annually since 2001, which has since been expanded into an Academic Awards Program covering three separate awards: Annual Research Travel Grant; Annual Best Graduate Paper Awards Competition, and the Doctoral Scholarship Program.

Because AMSS activities highlight topics from the social and human sciences, it is a source of motivation for research through its annual and regional conferences. We integrate academic contributions across disciplines. Papers presented by AMSS scholars have promoted Islamic scholarship and dialogue. Our scholars meet regularly to define and analyze Islamic perspectives on such global social issues as national security, the environment, religious freedom, academic expression, economic development, et cetera.

AMSS needs immediate financial support to continue its dialogue between Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, and among Muslims themselves. We invite you to support our academic activities that make such an important contribution to the betterment of our people, both young and seasoned.

Please know that your gift will help us close a budget shortfall of $42,500.00 needed to fund our upcoming annual conference at DePaul University in Chicago [September 25, 2010], This includes operational costs [design and printing of programs, flyers, folders & AMSS brochures, nametags, catering costs for refreshment, luncheon and banquet dinner], and administrative costs [staff salary, travel and hotel accommodations for guests, including modest honoraria for Keynote Speaker].

AMSS is a tax-exempt organization under the United States Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) 3. This means that not only is your contribution tax-deductible, but you also allow us to promote academic scholarship that fosters cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim communities, and between younger Muslim scholars and more established ones.

We hope you will help us with a substantial share of your zakat, if at all possible. Please make your check payable to AMSS, and mail it to AMSS, ATTN: Conference Coordinator, 500 Grove Street, Suite 200, Herndon, VA 20170. To learn more about AMSS please visit our website at http://www.amss.org

May God bless you for your generosity.

Wassalamu Alaykum

Yours Warmly,

Ali A. Mazrui

AMSS President
Ali A. Mazrui, D. Phil., (Oxon), C.B.S.
Director, Institute of Global Cultural Studies
Binghamton University, SUNY
P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

P.S. For any additional information, please contact or email Layla Sein, AMSS Conference Coordinator, at (703) 471 1133. Her email address is: conferences@amss.org .