[Graphic of George Floyd adorned in flowers; illustration by@shirien.creates]
This week, the Markaz reiterates our commitment to fight against systemic racism, white supremacy, police brutality, and particularly anti-Black culture that endangers Black lives. Please find our full statement of solidarity and list of community resources from our previous newsletter here:https://mailchi.mp/728d2fe404c5/justiceforgeorge2020
We recognize that, as we move forward as a community, we need to be engaged in learning and actions around anti-Blackness, as well as policing and prisons. We will be hosting two spaces for connection and education around these topics, and we invite you to join us, whatever level of familiarity you have. Details below.
UPCOMING MARKAZ EVENTS
AFTERZOOM CHAI: Community Check-in & Black Liberation Teach-in Tuesday, June 2 at 3:30 PM PST
CW: anti-Black violence, police brutality
This week at Markaz AfterZoom Chai, join us for a mini teach-in on anti-Blackness, systemic oppression, privilege, and Black liberation followed by a community check-in and reflection. We will be discussing police brutality and the prison-industrial complex, ways to unlearn and interrogate anti-Blackness, and action items for supporting ongoing Black liberation movements. This event is open to all and will center the well-being and safety of Black students.
CHAI CHAT: Challenging the Bail System with Faith Wednesday, June 3 at 4:00 PM PST
Please note: The Markaz will now be opening this event to the public. We recognize that this is a conversation many folks need to have, and encourage you to invite Muslims and college students who many not go to Stanford to join us.
The United States today makes up 5% of the world’s total population, but it has 21% of prisoners around the world. Prisons have been on the rise in the US for decades, and Black and Muslim communities have been disproportionately impacted. Join the Markaz on Wednesday, June 3rd at 4 pm PST for a discussion of the effects of prison systems on the incarcerated, bail reform, and how Stanford students can advocate for and move towards prison abolition. We will be joined by Believers Bail Out, a Muslim organization supporting incarcerated folks and their families through education campaigns, community events, and bailing out incarcerated Muslims. Be sure to register at https://www.digitalmarkaz.org/event-calendar to receive the link!
MARKAZ LETTERING WORKSHOP Thursday, June 4 at 4:00 PM PST
Come destress and practice your calligraphy skills at the Markaz Lettering Workshop, led by Alaa Ali. The aim of this virtual workshop is to explore the skill of creative lettering and floral illustration. We will begin with an introduction to calligraphy, move into warm-up drills, and apply our knowledge to writing full words. We’ll end by creating a personal piece that incorporates simple floral design that can be used as a gift for family and friends. All skill levels are welcome! Zoom Link and calligraphy practice sheets will be provided to those who register here.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS: JANA KHOLY & LYDIA ZEMMALI Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5
[POSTPONED] MARKAZ COMMUNITY WORKOUT SESSION for Monday, June 8 at 7:00 PM
The community workout session has been POSTPONED until next Monday. We apologize for any inconvenience that this might cause, and hope to see you there! RSVP HERE. Join attinyurl.com/markazfitness.
COMMUNITY CREATIVE ARCHIVE: NEW SELECTIONS
SUBMIT TO THE COMMUNITY CREATIVE ARCHIVE: We are accepting poems, visual art, music, and essays on themes of home, explorations of physical and digital space, and otherwise thinking on community in times of quarantine. Submissions added to the digital Markaz website will receive a $50 gift card. SHARE YOUR SUBMISSION!
Eid Mubarakby Aneeqa Abid
To preserve its artistic impact, this video has been posted in full to the archive. See it here.
Aneeqa is a sophomore majoring in Human Biology. (IG@aneeqaart)
"[the self portrait of tea]: Growing up drinking tea in my grandmother’s apartment in Cairo and weekly chai hours at the Markaz have culminated in tea feeling inextricable from my sense of connection to where my parents grew up. (I asked my mom to make her favorite tea with milk, shay bi laban, and send me a picture to include in my face)."
ra2asat by Jana Kholy To preserve its artistic impact, this visual art piece has been posted in full to the archive.
Jana is a senior majoring in Human Biology. (IG@jana_kholy)
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OFFICE HOURS WITH DR. RANIA AWAAD
The Office of Religious Life is sponsoring 1:1 zoom sessions with Dr. Rania Awaad to discuss anything you would like. In previous years, students have used these confidential sessions to discuss self-care, mental wellbeing, spiritual life questions, life-study-activism balance as some examples. The ORL encourages you to make use of this time-limited opportunity to check-in! There are 6 slots available per week, click hereto sign up for a session.
TELEHEALTH SESSIONS WITH DR. DAKWAR
Book a 30-minute appointment between 3:15 - 4:45 PM on Thursdays with Dr. Enas Dakwar. These telehealth sessions are designed to provide all members of the Markaz Community, wherever you are, with support. Due to legal restrictions, zoom video will be provided for students within the state of California. If you are out of state or country, only zoom audio will be provided.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Nominate a Graduate student for a VPGE Scholar award. In partnership with the Vice Provost from Graduate Education (VPGE), the Markaz is excited to open nominations for the Markaz Graduate Scholar Award. This award recognizes and honors the contributions of a current graduate student who, in addition to demonstrating excellence in academic and intellectual achievement, has served as a community mentor and role model, inspiring other grad students and/or undergrads. The student can be in any year of their graduate program, in any of the seven schools, excluding co-terms. Submit your nomination here
Take a class on Contemporary Islam and Muslims in America over the summer: What is really going on for American Muslims in a post 9/11, Trump-era America? How are they managing their identities and commitment? What role do racial and gender dynamics, ideological differences, and politics play in this process? This course (RELIGST 26S), taught by Abiya Ahmed, will explore these questions (and more) and help develop a critical perspective on the American Muslim experience, particularly as a case of how one diverse religious community negotiates religion in a complex sociopolitical setting.
A NOTE ON MARKAZ EVENTS
During Spring quarter, Markaz events will continue to be ways that we learn, engage and relax together. We know that we are a diverse and global community, however, for consistency, all events will be scheduled on PST. We hope that you will be able to join us as much as you can. We recognize that this will be most difficult for our international students and ask that you please let us know what times would be best for alternate events.
For all students, help us plan events that are meaningful to you by taking a few minutes to complete this form.
