Al-Umma Center of Santa Clarita Valley, the Islamic Center of Santa Clarita Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council invite the community of the Santa Clarita Valley, and all other interested citizens, to a Santa Clarita Community Forum: “Building Strength through Diversity.”

This opportunity for our community to help build its own civic and moral strength, through meeting fellow citizens in order to learn from and about each other, will take place on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at 6 p.m., at the Santa Clarita Activities Center, The Centre.

Panel Speakers:

Mohamed Abdelghani (B.S., M.S., Systems Engineering) is a retired information technology (IT) systems executive, who spent over 35 years helping people through our healthcare system. Well versed in Islam, he is frequently asked to speak on and discuss various aspects of Islam with audiences of all ages. Mr. Abdelghani regularly gives the Muslim Friday sermons at different Islamic centers in Santa Clarita and other mosques in Southern California, and is often called upon to give lectures on Islam to young people, and to participate in interfaith forums.

Jim Hall is well versed in both Christianity and Islam, and has been very active in interfaith dialogues and forums. Mr. Hall leads the Friday prayer at several Southern California mosques, and often gives lectures to the Muslim community, especially to youth.

Adriana Romero (Ph.D., Literature, University of São Paulo) is the mother of two amazing kids and an entrepreneur with her own business as a certified life coach, helping people to discover and manifest their dreams. She has been a member of Al-Umma Center for the past three years.

Christy Smith is a former analyst at the US Department of Education. She has been involved in education advocacy in Santa Clarita for over a decade and currently serves as Board President for the Newhall School District. She lives in Valencia with her husband and their two daughters.

Tyger White is the current President of the Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council and has been a member for 15 years. She also serves as Vice President of the Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library. In addition, she is an active volunteer on the Red Cross Disaster Action Team and as an EMT. She states that, “The purpose of interfaith groups, such as ours, is to encourage the sharing of ideas without forcing our beliefs on others; and to encourage working together towards the goal of living in safe and peaceful communities in a safe and peaceful world.”

The event will have Mayor of Santa Clarita Cameron Smyth as the special guest speaker.

Refreshments will be served.