The Muslim Educational Trust: Fostering Understanding and Education in the Greater Portland Area
The Muslim Educational Trust (MET) was established with a profound commitment to the betterment of society through education and cooperation. Its mission, as articulated by the organization, is to "strive to achieve its purpose through education in the broadest sense, through cooperation and networking, and through programs which benefit both Muslim and non-Muslim people of the greater Portland area." This foundational principle guided MET's inception and continues to inform its endeavors to bridge communities and foster mutual understanding.
Genesis and Early Initiatives
The genesis of the Muslim Educational Trust can be traced back to 1993, a period marked by a growing recognition within the Portland Muslim community of the critical need for an organization singularly dedicated to educational pursuits. A diverse coalition of Muslims, hailing from various mosques and organizations across the greater Portland area, including the Muslim Community Center, Masjed as-Sabr, and the Islamic Society of Greater Portland, came together to form MET. Their vision extended beyond the confines of their own community; they recognized the imperative to educate the non-Muslim populace about Islam. This educational outreach was intended to cultivate bridges of understanding and to actively counter the negative perceptions of Muslims that had been exacerbated by events such as the Gulf War of 1991.
To facilitate its mission, MET secured rented space within the Campus Ministries building at Portland State University. This location was strategically chosen for its geographical centrality, ensuring accessibility for Portland Muslims, and its suitability for engaging with the non-Muslim community. Crucially, it provided a neutral ground where Muslims from different backgrounds and affiliations could interact, free from the influence of any single mosque or particular school of thought.
MET's initial programming centered on a weekend Islamic school, offering classes in Islamic faith, history, the Qur'an, and Arabic for both children and adults. These foundational educational activities have remained a cornerstone of MET's offerings. At its zenith, the weekend Islamic School saw participation from approximately one hundred and twenty children and adults.
Beyond formal schooling, MET actively engaged in community outreach through the establishment of a Muslims Speakers Bureau. This initiative dispatched knowledgeable speakers to a wide array of institutions, including schools, colleges, churches, and synagogues, thereby extending the reach of their educational mission. Furthermore, MET organized numerous conferences and seminars, providing invaluable platforms for the non-Muslim community to engage directly with Muslim representatives. One such significant conference, held at Portland State University, drew an attendance of several hundred individuals, underscoring the community's interest in interfaith dialogue and understanding.
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To support its educational and outreach efforts, MET established a comprehensive resource center at its PSU office. This center was outfitted with a diverse collection of pamphlets, books, and videos pertaining to Islam, serving as a hub for information dissemination. MET also extended its reach by providing Islamic educational materials free of charge to public and private schools throughout the Portland area, further embedding its commitment to accessible education.
The Establishment and Growth of ISMET
A significant expansion of MET's educational vision materialized in 1997 with the inauguration of a full-time Islamic school: the Islamic School of the Muslim Educational Trust (ISMET), also located at Portland State University. In its inaugural year, ISMET comprised four teachers and twelve students, catering to kindergarten through third grade. The subsequent academic year witnessed ISMET's relocation to a more spacious building just a few blocks away. This move coincided with a more than doubling of the student enrollment and the addition of a fourth-grade class. By its third year of operation, ISMET had grown to accommodate over thirty students and had expanded its grade offerings.
A pivotal moment in ISMET's trajectory occurred in the year 2000 when the school acquired its own property in Tigard, a suburb of Portland. This expansion into a dedicated campus marked a significant step towards greater autonomy and capacity. By the fourth year at the Tigard location, ISMET boasted forty-nine students, offering classes from kindergarten through sixth grade, and had increased its teaching staff accordingly. The fifth year saw the addition of the seventh grade, and in the sixth and seventh years, ISMET incorporated the eighth grade. During this period, student numbers surpassed sixty, with a waiting list of nearly one hundred prospective students, clearly demonstrating the growing demand for ISMET's educational offerings. The school's board harbored ambitious plans for further development, including the construction of a new school building designed to accommodate all twelve grades and an enrollment of three hundred students.
The curriculum at ISMET is designed to provide a robust academic education within an Islamic framework. Core subjects such as social studies, science, language arts, and mathematics are taught in alignment with the Oregon Public Schools Curriculum, utilizing textbooks sourced from McGraw-Hill. Complementing these subjects, students also receive instruction in computer classes, physical education, Islamic studies, and Arabic. While boys and girls interact freely and participate together in supervised activities during free time and in physical education, they are seated separately in classrooms from the fifth grade onwards. The school mandates uniforms, consisting of white shirts and navy or black pants or jumpers, fostering a sense of unity and discipline. The daily schedule is thoughtfully structured to incorporate regular prayer times, with a dedicated prayer room available for both staff and students, underscoring the integration of religious observance into the school day. The overarching goal is to provide a strong educational foundation within a nurturing Islamic environment.
Broader Community Engagement and Advocacy
MET's commitment to community enrichment extends beyond its formal educational programs. The organization orchestrates a month-long summer camp designed for children aged three to twelve. This engaging program incorporates a variety of activities, including Arabic language instruction, Islamic studies, sports, arts and crafts, science experiments, and weekly field trips, offering a holistic and enriching summer experience.
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Monthly potlucks serve as a vital social and networking event, bringing together members from the diverse Muslim communities within Portland. These gatherings often feature lectures or presentations by ISMET students or visiting scholars, fostering intellectual engagement and community cohesion.
MET's dedication to community service was recognized in 2000 when it received the Ecumenical Service Award from the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. This award acknowledged MET's significant contributions to the resettlement of refugees, particularly those displaced from Kosovo. The award presenter lauded MET for having "modeled an interfaith cooperation that has gone far in healing the wounds caused by religious struggles in Kosovo and elsewhere," highlighting the profound impact of their humanitarian efforts.
Since its inception, MET has actively cultivated positive relationships with the media, positioning itself as an advocate for unbiased news coverage concerning Muslims. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, events, MET emerged as the primary point of contact for media inquiries within the Portland Muslim community. The organization's Executive Director has been featured and quoted in national news articles, extending MET's influence beyond local reporting.
MET is also an active member of the Coalition Against Hate Radio, a coalition comprising over thirty community, religious, and human rights organizations. This coalition has been instrumental in advocating for the removal of radio programs, such as Michael Savageâs âSavage Nation,â from broadcast schedules due to their perceived attacks on various demographic groups, including races, religions, women, the poor, and immigrants. The organization has actively campaigned against hate speech, citing instances where the radio host has advocated for violence against those he disapproves of.
In the wake of September 11, 2001, MET has participated in numerous interfaith events, collaborating with various churches and synagogues. These events have taken diverse forms, including social gatherings, picnics, dialogues, and panel discussions, all aimed at fostering mutual understanding and strengthening interfaith bonds. MET places a particular emphasis on understanding Islam as an integral part of the Abrahamic faiths, alongside Judaism and Christianity.
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Furthermore, MET has maintained a representative presence on the Arab Muslim Police Advisory Council (AMPAC), an organization established by the Portland Police Department in response to the events of 9/11. This council serves as a crucial liaison, facilitating communication and collaboration between the Muslim community and law enforcement.
In 2004, MET, in collaboration with Portland State University's Office of International Affairs, Middle East Studies Center, and Muslim Student Association, co-sponsored a series of film presentations and lectures at Portland State University. These events featured renowned scholars and leaders from the American Muslim community, addressing critical topics such as "Islamic Constitutionalism: A Comparative Overview," "Gender Equity in Islam," and "Muslim Women Between Traditions and Modernization."
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