Soumaya Khalifa

Soumaya Khalifa

Soumaya Khalifa is an American executive of Egyptian origin. She launched the Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) of Atlanta in August 2001. The ISB has been active in the metro Atlanta area and its volunteers have presented to thousands in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas about Islam and Muslims. Soumaya Khalifa serves as the Executive Director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta.

Early life and education

Soumaya Khalifa was born in Alexandria, Egypt. She holds an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Houston and a master's degree in human resources from Georgia State University. She and her husband Mohamed have 3 children: Dr. Yousuf Khalifa, Mr. Osama Khalifa and Ms. Yosra Khalifa. Soumaya and Mohamed have been residents of Georgia since 1988.

Career and Influence

In addition to her work with the ISB, Khalifa is president of her intercultural consulting firm Khalifa Consulting. Khalifa is also an adjunct faculty at Emory University’s Center for Continuing Education where she offers courses on intercultural communication and Human Resources Certification. Khalifa serves on Grady Foundation's Grady Ambassadors, the board of the Concordia Forum, and is a past board member of AIB TV and SIETAR USA and past adjunct faculty at FEI. The FEI is an executive and management development and training center for governmental leaders.

Selected Awards and Recognition

Khalifa is the recipient of several awards for her work with the ISB.

  • Received the Phoenix Award from Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta
  • Recognized by the law enforcement community for her efforts, and was awarded the FBI's “Community Leadership Award”[1] in December 2012.
  • Served as a Citizen Diplomat for the U.S. State Department. She also attended the annual White House Iftar in 2012 hosted by President Barack Obama
  • Named a Muslim woman leader in a New York Times article titled, "Muslim Women Gain a Higher Profile in the US."[2]
  • Her story was also included in the book "50 Green Card Stories".[3]
  • Hosted a 16-part television series on the Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB) station titled, "Meet Your Muslim Neighbor." Khalifa was recognized for her service on the AIB Board of Directors during the Allen Award ceremony (March 2013)[4]
  • Featured in a Girl Scout's multi-faith peace project.[5]
  • Named in an article by the Huffington Post as one of five people across America “inspiring peace.” September 2013[6]
  • Named a "Muslim Hero" in 2011.[7]
  • Inducted into the Morehouse Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity. This honor was given in recognition of her work with the ISB.
  • Recognized for her leadership and vision with the ISB by "Development in Literacy" at their annual fundraising gala, "Pencils for Peace."
  • Author of "We Need a Leader For All Americans (Not Just A Few)" in Sojourners[8]
  • Featured in Die Zeit[9]

References

  1. ↑ "FBI — Atlanta". FBI.
  2. ↑ "Muslim Women Gain Higher Profile in U.S." International Herald Tribune. 28 December 2010 – via The New York Times.
  3. ↑ "ABIL : Green Card".
  4. ↑ "ISB Wishes Jews, Christians Happy Passover, Easter".
  5. ↑ Multi faith peace project final copy. 29 January 2013 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ "Meet 5 People Inspiring Peace". The Huffington Post. 10 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Muslim Heroes - The heroes of eternity". Muslim Heroes. Archived from the original on 2014-01-08.
  8. ↑ Khalifa, Soumaya (12 August 2016). "We Need a Leader For All Americans (Not Just A Few)".
  9. ↑ Bauser, Katja. "Katja Ridderbusch - Glauben, Waehlen, Hoffen". www.katja-ridderbusch.com.
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