Imam Seyed Ali Ghazvini
Spritual Leader of ICCF
imam@icfresno.org
Education:
BA – Political Science, Tehran University, Iran (1990)
Certificate (equivalent to Master), Islamic Theology, Seminary of Qum, Iran (1994)
MBA, University of La Verne, California (2003)
Accomplishments:
Founder and director, The Assadiq Foundation (a Muslim community center) in Southern California (1996-2004). Founder, Development and Relief Foundation, an organization devoted to bring quality education to the children of Iraq.
Member, Board to Trustees, The Ahlul Bait University, Karbala , Iraq – a private university established 2003. Participated in more than 25 national and international conferences about Islam, and the Middle East.
Imam Ghazvini is serving as an imam* at the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno since May 2004. He leads Friday Prayer at the center and directs community youth gathering every Saturday. He is a strong advocate of interfaith dialogue and co-operation for the protection of the family, the environment and for peace awareness.
Areas of Research:
Islam and international relations
Islam and contemporary politics and ethics
Political history of Islam – early stages
Imam Ghazvini speaks three languages: English, Farsi and Arabic. He is married and has four children.
Kamal Abu-Shamsieh
Director of ICCF
director@icfresno.org
Education:
BA Linguistics & Translation, Birzeit University, Palestine 1990
Diploma, Video & Radio Broadcast, Specs Howard School of Broadcast Art, Southfield, MI 1996
MA Islamic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations: Hartford Seminary 2012 (Expected)
Graduate Certificate: Islamic Chaplaincy, Hartford Seminary 2011
Clinical Pastoral Education / CPE: Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 2009
FASPE Fellow: Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics, New York, Germany & Poland 2010
Documentary Films:
Kamal worked on the production of several international & national documentaries on the Palestinian Israeli conflict. Projects include “Journey to The Occupied Land,” a 1992 WGBH, PBS Frontline production, “People and The Land: “, a 1994 documentary produced for ITVS, documented the first Palestinian uprising, 1988-1993. “Disabled for Palestine”, a 1994 documentary produced for the Middle East Council of Churches, Cyprus, “Make Peace Works: Israelis and Palestinians”, 1995 University of Texas at Austin and “Jerusalem: An Occupation Set In Stones”, a 1996 project produced for the Palestine Housing Authority.
Media Appearance: Kamal is a resource for local, national and international media, broadcast and print, on issues related to Islam, Middle East, counter-terrorism and interfaith relations. He appeared on various programs including The Daily Show with John Stewart, CNN international and All Things Considered with NPR.
International Advocacy:
Kamal in involved in the promotion of liberation theology, moderation and interfaith reconciliation. He is associated with Sabeel and the Muslim-Christian Commission to Support Jerusalem and Holy Sites.
Boards and Commissions: For the year 2011 – 2012, Kamal is serving on the following boards and commissions:
Editorial Board member, Reflective Practice, an international journal for chaplains and Spiritual Care
Community Resource Representative, Fresno’s State’s President’s Commission on Human Relations and Equity (PCHRE)
Board Member, Muslim Chaplain’s Association / Washington, D.C.
Board Member, Muslim Spiritual Care Services, Fresno, CA
Board Member, Clinical Pastoral Education of Central California
Senior Advisor, Interfaith Youth Alliance / Fresno, CA
National Consultant, LEADD, Leadership Education Advancing Democracy & Diversity / Washington, DC
Member, North East Fresno Policing District’s Community Advisory Board
Member, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s Community Advisory Panel
Member, US Attorney General’s Taskforce on Hate Crimes
Board Member, Minority Women Resource Center
Board Member, Fresno Multi-Faith Exchange
Advisory Member, CA Faith & Community Leaders’ Domestic Violence Prevention Taskforce
Leadership & Training
Diversity Training: Lead presenter of diversity training workshops on Islam and the Muslim community. “Working with the American Muslim Community” are Workshops that provide a glimpse of the diverse Muslim and Arab communities, offer recommendations for interaction, etiquette for visiting Islamic centers, Muslim belief, traditions and holidays and local contact information. The workshops are enhanced to fit the needs of law enforcement agencies, media, health care providers, faith communities, corporations, schools and universities, and civic organizations.