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Request A Speaker

We provide speakers to schools, colleges, religions organizations, as well as sensitivity training for corporations, hospitals and police departments.

Get Involved

Students, home-makers or full-time professionals who find the time to contribute to non-profit work will find that ISBA has been able to attract many dedicated volunteers because of the level of professionalism in the way we do our work. Volunteerism is one of the primary drivers of ISBA's continued growth and success. ISBA strives to raise religious literacy and cultural awareness in our communities through education. Our volunteers find great satisfaction and fulfillment by providing an important service to their community.

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Awards

ISBA Inspiring Woman Award for Civic Leadership

The ISBA Inspiring Woman Award for Civic Leadership award is presented to a woman who has helped transform the lives of others in our greater community through her creativity, leadership and commitment. Through her actions, she has helped strengthen people and create a stronger future, not only for individuals but also for our region.

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2020 recipient of the ISBA Inspiring Woman Award

  • No award

2019 recipient of the ISBA Inspiring Woman Award

  • Tan Jakwani – Refugee Coordinator, Islamic Center of the Northeast Valley

2018 recipient of the ISBA Inspiring Woman Award

  • Gul Siddiqui – Arizona, Utah & New Mexico Area Manager, Helping Hands for Relief and Development

2017 recipient of the ISBA Inspiring Woman Award

  • Lynda Bishop – Program Director, Young Entrepreneurs Academy Phoenix (YEA! Phoenix)

 

Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to nominate someone for the ISBA Inspiring Woman Award for Civic Leadership award

Building Bridges Award

 

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The ISBA Building Bridges Award is given to individuals or organizations in Arizona who have shown a sincere commitment towards building bridges of understanding between different communities through education or service. All recipients either currently work with or have worked with the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona towards this end.

 

2019 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • DR. Nicholas Mowad - Professor of Philosophy, Chandler Gilbert Community College

Interfaith

  • Bridget Nielsen - Former Community Outreach Specialist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, North Scottsdale

  • Kimerley Bartman, Stephen Minister, The Fountains United Methodist Church, Fountain Hills

 

2018 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Jennifer Sprague - Religion Teacher, All Saints' Episcopal Day School, Phoenix

Interfaith

  • Rabbi John A. Linder - Senior Rabbi, Temple Solel, Paradise Valley

 

2017 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Jennifer Cole - Teacher - World Religions & US History, Desert Edge High School, Goodyear

Interfaith

  • Reverend Erin Tamayo -Ordained Minister, The Presbyterian Church, USA & Member of the Grand Canyon Presbytery

Law Enforcment

  • Roy W. Minter Jr. - Chief of Police, Peoria Police Department, Peoria

  • Steve Stahl - Chief of Police, Maricopa Police Department, Maricopa

 

2016 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Matt Blair - Psychology Professor at Paradise Valley Community College

Interfaith

  • John McDonough - Pastor at the Church of the Ascension in Fountain Hills

 

2015 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Stephanie Bjork - Professor in the Anthropology department at Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix, AZ

Interfaith

  • Imam Anas Hlayhel – Freelance Imam servicing southeast valley and an engineer at Intel
  • Imam Sabahudin Ceman – Head Imam of Islamic Association of Bosniaks and the Imam at Islamic Center of North Phoenix

 

2014 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Vicki Cabot - Adjunct Professor in Religion at Glendale Community College
  • Brad Bode - Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix

Interfaith

  • Nancy Splain - Interfaith Outreach Ambassador for Beatitudes Campus, Phoenix

 

2013 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Charles Johnson  - US & AP World History, Basha High School, Chandler
  • Todd Daniels  - 8th Grade Social Studies, Bogle Junior High School, Chandler

Interfaith

  • Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Johnson - Senior Pastor, Scottsdale Presbyterian Church

 

2012 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Grace G. Burford, Ph.D. – Faculty, Professor of Religious Studies at Prescott College

Interfaith

  • Rabbi Mari Chernow – Senior Rabbi at Temple Chai

Corporation

  • American Express, PEACE network

 

2011 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Kori Mandelbaum – Social Studies Teacher, Corona Del Sol High School,Tempe
  • Art Fernwalt – World History Teacher, Coronado High School, Scottsdale

Interfaith

  • David M. Felten – Pastor, The Fountains: A United Methodist Church, Fountain Hills

 

2010 recipients of the Building Bridges Award

Education

  • Daniel J. O'Meara - Director of TRiO Student Support Services, Cochise College, Douglas Campus
  • David M. Pettes - Department Chair for Social/Behavioral Sciences, Cochise College, Douglas Campus

Interfaith

  • Rev., Dr. Kelly Bender - Senior Pastor, Paradise Valley United Methodist Church

Organization/Business

  • Pakistan Information & Cultural Organization (PICO)

 

2009 recipients of the Building Bridges Award 

Education

  • Betty Matwick - Director of Personal and Career Explorations - Pinnacle Education

Interfaith

  • Dr. Paul Eppinger - Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement

Law Enforcement

  • Scottsdale Police Department

Organization/Business

  • Project Excellence - Phoenix Country Day School

 

2008 recipients of the Building Bridges 

Education

  • Michele Marion - Director of the Center for International Studies at Paradise Valley Community College
  • Cliff Moon – District Diversity Specialist with Mesa Public Schools

Interfaith

  • Carol McAninch-Pritz - Director of Spiritual Care at Banner Health

Light of Knowledge Award

 
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Light of Knowledge

 

 

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona depends on support from community members. Some give of their time, others give financial support, and yet others give of their talents. Then there are those who consistently go above and beyond. This award helps us recognize their sincere and generous dedication to this organization.

The award reads, “Knowledge is Light...Our Deepest Thanks for Helping ISBA Light the Lamp of Understanding”.

 

2017 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Ayaz Khan -Sole Principal, Khan, Slayter & Kistler CPA LLC, Scottsdale

2014 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Eep Setiaarif
  • Amina Rathur

2013 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Rheem Kabbani
  • Suzanne Bassal
  • Mumina Malik

2012 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Suhayla Odeh
  • Salwa Khan
  • Imran Ulla
  • Bushra Samad

2011 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Zafar Bhatti

2010 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Dennis Ford
  • Kristin Atwell

2009 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Sabica Jaddi

2008 recipients of the Light of Knowledge Award

  • Mr. Mir Adbul Waris Khan
  • Mr. Mofied Kassab
  • Mr. Mustafa Sa’ad Khan

 

ISBA Hero Award

The ISBA Hero award is presented to a person or group who is a shining example of courage and humanitarianism in our local community.  Their inspiring acts of heroism in the face of recrimination inspire those around them to always do the right thing, even if it's difficult. This award is specifically for those who protect or help someone from a different religion or culture/ethnicity than their own.

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2015 recipient of the Hero Award

This year the award was presented to three people for organizing a counter protest in support of the Muslim community in phoenix against armed protesters by standing between the angry mob and the Muslim worshipers

  • Bob Hake – Lead Pastor Orangewood Nazarene Church and Executive Director of LifeBridge Community Alliance
  • Adam Estle – Executive Director of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
  • Jim Mullins – Pastor of Theological Education and Cultural Engagement at Redemption Church in Tempe

2010 recipient of the Hero Award

  • Domenico Daddio - Domenic, a manager at a local bank, stood up multiple times for a Muslim employee when bank customers treated the employee in an abusive or disrespectful manner for being a Muslim.  Domenic heroically defended his employee's right to religious freedom.

 

Please click here to nominate someone for the ISBA Hero award

Awards

 

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona gives out three types of awards at their annual Building Bridges Awards Dinner

 Please click here to nominate someone for the ISBA Hero award or the ISBA Inspiring Woman for Civic Leadership award

Awards

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona gives out three types of awards at their annual Building Bridges Awards Dinner. The Building Bridges Award, The Light of Knowledge Award and The ISBA Hero Award

9/11 Food Drive

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) is delighted to be partnering with our Phoenix-area sponsoring organizations in order to serve those in need in our community. Last year this food drive was a re-stocking effort for The Cultural Cup Food Bank in downtown Phoenix and the Extended Hands Food Bank in Fountain Hills.

Building Bridges Dinner

ISBA annually hosts the Building Bridges Dinner where award recipients are honored. The night features an opportunity to listen to and interact with a thought provoking national scholar and ends with some light hearted entertainment.

Speaker Quotes

i love to speak

Volunteer Quotes

i love to volunteer

Recipients of our Services

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teacher

Upcoming Events

 

All Events ⟶

Annual Events

Building Bridges Dinner

ISBA presents awards during their Annual Building Bridges Dinner. More info@isb-az.org

Sunday with a Scholar

Isba is presents an oppertunity to hear a nationally renoun scholar. More info@isb-az.org

Springtime Tea Party: An Interfaith Celebration of Women

Isba is presents an oppertunity to meet other women of faith in a women only event. More info@isb-az.org

Interfaith forums and workshops

Salaam Chai Paradise

ISBA partners with Temple Chai and Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in a tri-faith dialog in the spring and the fall. More info@isb-az.org

Arizona Faith Network

ISBA works with the Arizona Faith Network to provide educational workshops. More info@isb-az.org

Fountain Hills Interfaith Alliance

ISBA parters with the Fountain Hills Interfaith Alliance to present programs such as Faith forums, Four Caplin Memorial Service, and Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. More info@isb-az.org

Other Events

ISBA Faith Tours

ISBA coordiates interfaith field trips to places of worship for a variety of audiences. More info@isb-az.org

Movie and a Discussion

ISBA presents interesting and educational movies followed by a discussion. More info@isb-az.org

Living History Series

ISBA Presents a glimpse into the past, history as told by the people who lived it. More info@isb-az.org

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