Speakers Bureau
We offers free and interactive presentations about Islam and the Muslim community. Read what some of our guests have said about their experience:
“I am glad you had the Islamic Society visit the class. I must confess that I was ignorant of many of their customs and now I know a little more about them.”
“Very informative. Allowed me to clear up stereotypes that I had about Muslims and the Islamic Religion.”
“There’s a lot of confusion and misconceptions about the Muslims’ religion and culture and it is nice to see people take time to try to straighten things out. I thought that they were very good speakers and didn’t try to preach or convert anyone. It was very interesting and informative. I really enjoyed it.”
“The speakers from our class were awesome I felt that all of our questions were answered, and I obtained a great amount of knowledge about the Islamic religion.”
“As a veteran of foreign combat, I have personally experienced the hatred and malice of extremist terrorists. For a long time, my opinion of Muslims was clouded, and I often looked at Muslim-Americans with distrust and suspicion. But after the field trip and reading this article, I learned just how similar the views of Muslim-Americans are with my own. They too were betrayed by the terrorists in these attacks, if not more so than I was. By teaching and practicing religious tolerance, and sharing an understanding of the differences between terrorists and Muslim-Americans, I believe faith can one day be restored in the local Muslim community.”
Imam Muhammad Musri
Senior Imam, President and Chairman of the Board of the Islamic Society of Central Florida
Imam Muhammad Musri serves as the Senior Imam, President and Chairman of the Board of the Islamic Society of Central Florida (ISCF) since 1993. ISCF is a Muslim community organization which operates 10 mosques in Central Florida.
He is the President and chairman of the Board of Leaders Preparatory School. A full-time Accredited school, (grades K-12th), and the Horizons childcare & Learning Center.
He is the President of the Muslim Social Services, offering free healthcare clinic for the poor and uninsured, job placement services, food pantries distributing free food to needy families, and Zakat assistance.
He is the President of the Peace Institute, which establishes Centers for Peace to conduct outreach programs and services, and which partners with various religious, government, civic, academic and business organizations to promote Peace, Justice and Respect among all people.
Imam Musri is an advisor on Islam and Muslims to various agencies of the U.S. government. Imam Musri was successful in stopping the “Florida Pastor” from “Burning the Qur’an” in 2010.
He is a member of the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council since 2005, served under Governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Christ and Rick Scott.
In 2009, he was appointed by Governor Charlie Christ to the Governor’s Complete Count Committee for the 2010 Census for the State of Florida.
Imam Musri is also active in interfaith work and public service. He is a member and past co-chairman of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida’s Advisory Board.
He is a member of the Council of Clergy for Orlando’s Mayor Buddy Dyer.
He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Peace & Justice Initiative at Valencia College.
He is a member of the Interfaith Advisory Council for the Orange County Public Schools.
Imam Musri is a national speaker on various topics about Islam, religious diversity, interfaith work, and the history and culture of the Middle East at universities, colleges and other forums.
Imam Musri is routinely interviewed, representing American Muslims, by national and international Radio and TV channels. And he has been the subject of many articles in newspapers and magazines in print and online nationally and around the world. He produced a weekly television program titled, ‘ISLAM’, on Brighthouse Networks Cable since 2006. And, he is a co-host of “The Three Wise Guys” weekly radio program on WMFE 90.7 FM, the NPR affiliate public radio station.
Professor Bassem Chaaban
Executive Director for American Islam
Bassem Chaaban is the Director of the Peace Institute and Executive Director for American Islam. He has been actively involved in lecturing and presenting the elements of Islam, helping dispel the stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. He has spoken at different Universities, Colleges, public schools, churches and civic organizations throughout the State of Florida and is professor of World Religions at the Humanities department of Seminole State College. He is the chairman of the City of Orlando Human Rights Chapter 57 Review Board that deals with Human and Civil Rights cases in the community.
In addition, he is a former national advisor for Nacel Open Door, a non-profit organization dedicated to international student exchange that deals with building bridges of understanding between cultures. He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and another in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. He has a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a certificate in the non-profit sector.
Imam Basheer Bilaal
Born & raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Coming from a long line of Imams and scholars, like his father Imam Davoud, he too Graduated the University of Islamic Studies as an Imam and khatib from the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey.
Although a young Imam, he has served in many communities in the US including The United American Muslim Association of New York, the Islamic Society of Central Delaware, and the Islamic Society of Central Florida. Currently working with the Islamic Society of Greater Lowell, serving the diverse Islamic community with its religious needs and helping the neighboring society with spiritual guidance.
The presentations are catered to a diverse range of audiences:
Academic Institutions
Dear Teachers!
To complement teaching of Islam in the context of World History and Social Sciences, the Center for Peace offers free presentations to academic institutions including public schools, colleges and universities.
Topics covered include:
•Islamic beliefs and practices, and how they relate to everyday life in America
•Islamic holidays and celebrations
•Stereotypes and misconceptions
We offer Free on-line Teacher Resources. Requires registering to the Peace Partner program to get access to incredible resources about the Muslim community.
Law Enforcement Agencies
To complement the sensitivity training that agencies receive, the Center for Peace offers free presentations to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of providing accurate information about Islam and the Muslim community.
Topics covered include:
Common perceptions
Sources of perceptions
Consequences
Overview of Muslim culture
Current events
Local demographics
Protocols for interaction
Private Corporation
Dear Corporate Leaders!
To enhance the diversity training that agencies receive, the Center for Peace offers free presentations to corporations for the purpose of providing accurate information about Islam and the Muslim community.
Topics covered include:
Stereotypes
Sources
Consequences
Overview of Culture
Local Demographics
Accommodations
Benefits of training:
Fulfills company policies
Aids cultural awareness
Reduces misunderstandings, conflict
Develops group cohesion
Improves productivity
Prevents discrimination liabilities
Creates marketing opportunities
Hospitality Industry
Dear Hospitality Companies!
To complement the diversity training that agencies receive, the Center for Peace offers free presentations to hotels and service oriented organizations for the purpose of providing accurate information about Islam and the Muslim community.
Topics covered include:
- Stereotypes
- Sources
- Consequences
- Overview of Culture
- Local Demographics
- Accommodations
Benefits of training:
- Fulfills company policies
- Aids cultural awareness
- Reduces misunderstandings, conflict
- Develops group cohesion
- Enhances customer service
- Improves productivity
- Prevents discrimination liabilities
Hospitals and Givers
Dear Hospitals and Caregivers!
To complement your dedication and focus on providing the fantastic care that you do, the Center for Peace offers free presentations to Hospitals and other care giving agencies for to provide accurate information about Islam and the Muslim community.
Topics covered include:
Common perceptions
Sources of perceptions
Overview of Muslim culture
Protocols for interaction
The following is a sample of the many audiences that we have presented to:
- Patrick Air Force Base DEOMI school
- American Red Cross of Central Florida
- Center for Christian Women’s Spirituality
- Help Now of Osceola
- Lou Frey Institute
- Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
- City of Orlando Emergency Management
- Presbyterian Church Peace with Justice
- Riverview High School
- Olympia High School
- Lake Brantley High School
- PATHS/TECO
- Bishop Moore High School
- Lyman High School
- Colonial High School
- Poinciana High School
- Edgewater High School
- Lake Mary High School
- Dr. Phillips High School
- Deland High School
- Lake Highland Elementary
- Hebrew Day School
- Lake Como Elementary
- Rollins College
- University of Central Florida
- Valencia Community College East Campus
- Valencia Community College West Campus
- Valencia Community College Osceola Campus
- Stetson University
- Seminole State College
- Lake Sumter Community College
- Brevard Community College
- Orange County Sheriffs Office
- Orlando Police Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigations
- St. Richards Episcopal Church
- St. Luke Episcopal Church
- Episcopal Church in Ustis
- St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
- Asbury Seminary
- Lake Wales Seminary
- Sand Lake Hospital
- United Methodist Church in Clermont
- First Unitarian Church of Deland
- Morrison United Methodist Church
- St. Mary Magdelan Catholic Church
- Presbyterian Church of Maitland
- First Unitarian Church of Orlando
- University Unitarian Universalist Society
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County
- Reformed Theological Seminary
- St. Richards Episcopal
- Northland, A Church Distributed
- Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
- First United Methodist Church of Oviedo
- Christ Church Unity
- Holocaust Memorial Resource Center
- New Covenant Anglican Church
- St. Cloud Orlando Regional Hospital
- University of the Nation
- Walt Disney
- Rotary Club of Winter Springs
- Rotary Club of Winter Park
- Hospice of the Comforter
- Beacon College
- Waterman Village Retirement Community
- St. Cloud Women’s Club
- Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista
- Florida A & M
- Andrew College in Georgia
- Troy University
- Florida Tech
- Seventh-Day Church of Kissimmee
- St. Petersburgh College
- Florida Hospital
- Redeemer Lutheran Church
- Beacon Network
- Florida Technical College
- The Christ School