Breaking stereotypes through the simple act of breaking bread.
 

Who We Are

 
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 Our Mission

Faith & Culture Center integrates communities across divides through the development of meaningful relationships. We work to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and cooperation between communities in Middle Tennessee across lines of faith, race, culture, and ethnicity.

OUR Vision

We seek to build a Middle Tennessee community in which all people embrace humility, understanding, respect, empathy, and compassion.

faithandculturecenter.org

Our Muslim Neighbor Initiative

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Our Muslim Neighbor (OMN) programs are designed to respond directly to and counter pernicious typecasts and stereotypes of Muslims and Islam (“Islamophobia”) through an experience-oriented approach based on the power of relationship building. 

 OMN programs do this by:

  1. Organizing and facilitating spaces that intentionally bring together diverse and balanced groups of Muslims and non-Muslims for relationship building, so that pernicious yet common misperceptions and preconceived notions about Muslims are dispelled.

  2. Educating individuals and organizations in Nashville and Middle Tennessee on the diversity of Muslim communities in Nashville and the issues that affect them.

  3. Amplifying and supporting individual Muslim voices and providing platforms for sharing their stories and experiences. 

Our Impact

How effective do you feel this event is in diminishing fear and distrust towards Islam and Muslims?

Source: A Seat at the Table Survey Report, Q2-2017

Our Staff

 
 

Daoud abudiab, Acting Executive Director

Daoud Abudiab is Founder and Board President of Faith and Culture Center. Daoud lives in Middle Tennessee along with his wife and three children. Daoud Abudiab is a veteran healthcare executive with more than 25 years in physician group management. Serves on a volunteer basis and provides support for staff on programing and strategy.

Tamara Shehada - Director of Programs and Communications

Sarah lives in Nashville and has been with Faith and Culture Center for a number of years working on ASATT. Tamara is also an Alumni of our own AbdelKader Ambassador Program.

Sarah obeissy - Social Media and Communications

Sarah joined us in summer of 2022. She works on ASATT program as well as social media communications.

Robert Montgomery

Rev. Robert Montgomery is Co-Founder of FCC and a volunteer. Robert advices and provides support to staff in carrying out FCC programming.

David Osgood

David has been with FCC for a number of years and now advises on a volunteer basis on programing and community outreach.

 
 

Board of Directors

 
 
 
 
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Advisory Council for the Our Muslim Neighbor Initiative

 
 

Aisha Lbhalla

Commissioner – Metro Human Relations Commission

Founder and Chair – Muslim Women’s Council

 

 

Amir Arain, M.D.

Associate Professor of Neurology – Vanderbilt University Medical Center

 

 

Berthena Nabaa-Mckinney

Nashville educator and administrator for over 18 years


Beverly Watts

Executive Director – Tennessee Human Rights Commission


Brian Fesler

Pastor – Church of Scientology of Nashville

President – Religion Communicators Council Nashville chapter


Doug Perkins

Professor of Human and Organizational Development – Peabody College, Vanderbilt University


Hedy Weinberg

Executive Director – American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee


John Kiser

Chairman – William and Mary Greve Foundation

Author – The Monks of Tibhirine: Faith, Love, and Terror in Algeria and Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd El-Kader


Melody Fowler-Green

Executive Director – Metro Human Relations Commission


Michael Whitney

Financial Advisor – Henderson Financial Group, Inc.

Board of Trustees – Congregation Micah


Robb McCluskey

Entrepreneur

Board of Trustees – The Temple: Congregation Ohabai Sholom


Leah Hashinger

Community Relations Manager – Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition