Greetings PI readers and authors!

The press release for this will go out first thing in the A.M., but we wanted all of you to be the first to know: Effective immediately, ProgressiveIslam.Org will be merging with Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV). Here’s the official announcement:

Progressive Muslims Unite To Make Their Voice Heard in America
Organizations Devoted To Progressive and Islamic Values Merge to Impact Debate on Islam in America

Los Angeles, CA – On Monday, August 20, 2007, two American Muslim organizations devoted to elevating the progressive voice of American Islam announced the completion of their organizations’ merger in order to broaden the impact of progressive Muslims in the debate on Islam in America.  Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), a non-profit organization committed to a tolerant and inclusive understanding of Islam in America, and ProgressiveIslam.org, one of the fastest growing sites on progressive Islam will join forces, effective immediately.

“This is an exciting time for Americans who identify as both Muslim and progressive,” said Ani Zonneveld, President of Muslims for Progressive Values.  “Contrary to popular opinion, the two are not mutually exclusive.”

“The American Muslim community contains many diverse voices, and we intend to add ours to the debate,” she continued.

In addition to representing a strengthening of the emerging progressive voice in American Islam, the merger also reflects an increasing interest and participation in online media among the American Muslim community.  The new structure provides MPV with the capacity to expand on online community-building efforts that are currently under way.

“We’re looking forward to becoming partners with Muslims for Progressive Values,” said Laury Silvers, cofounder of ProgressiveIslam.org.  “ProgressiveIslam.Org’s established presence in new media will allow Muslims with Progressive Values to reach a wide audience in North America and abroad.  In turn, Muslims with Progressive Values will allow us to bring our online activism into communities on the ground.  United, Muslim voices are powerful.”

MPV will provide management, oversight, and organizational functions, while ProgressiveIslam.org will provide the technical means and an open and hospitable space for the free expression of ideas and debate on any number of issues relevant to Islam and pluralism in America.

"MPV is committed to maintaining and strengthening the independent, open and free nature of ProgressiveIslam.org, which provides a forum for all voices to be heard," said Zonneveld. “We are hopeful the merger will be beneficial not only to the progressive Muslims community, but to the whole American Muslim community and the broader American community as well.”

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ProgressiveIslam.org is an online community and site for Muslims of all theological orientations and anyone else with an interest in issues relating to Islam, empowerment, freedom, equality and authenticity, to gather and engage in creative, thoughtful and intelligent discussion and debate. http://progressiveislam.org

Muslim for Progressive Values is based out of Los Angeles, California, and has members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 2006 by Pamela Taylor and Ani Zonneveld, MPV brings together progressive Muslims and others who share their values, to work for a more humane world. MPV welcomes all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for social justice, human rights, economic opportunity, separation of church and state, as well as tolerant and inclusive understandings of Islam.  http://www.mpvusa.org

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So, there you have it.

I’m sure some of you are wondering what’s going to change. Well, loads! But more importantly, what’s not going to change is our general approach to this site, our niyya. This site is still firmly behind the principles of free speech, of open and unfettered exchange of ideas, of fearless debate. We’re not going to change that.

What we are going to change, what I think will be a valuable and much-needed change, is the level of effort we put into the site. Stepping under MPV’s umbrella means that we will have new voices coming in, adding to the plurality we have here. There are a number of new features that will be put into place as well, some new content sections, some new projects, and so forth. The period between now and the end of this year will, Insh’Allah, see a slow and steady transformation in the look, feel and offerings of ProgressiveIslam.Org, a transformation that I believe will be true to our roots every step of the way.

Now, some housekeeping. PI will now be ‘run’ by an Editorial Board. I will be serving as Editor-in-Chief, and Sabahat Ashraf (a.k.a. iFaqeer) will be on board as MPV Liaison and Associate Editor. There are three other Associate Editor spots open; I intend to fill them soon.

Laury Silvers, our intrepid cofounder and firebrand extraordinaire is going to take a break for a bit. However, as cofounder, she is inextricably linked to the site, and maintains admin and author privileges, so expect to see her pop up from time to time.

At this point, we aren’t going to change anything about the site’s day-to-day functions. Changes in the appearance to reflect the new organizational structure will appear through the week, and we’ll update a few pages to that end. Whatever changes follow that, well, we’ll definitely keep you all apprised.

That’s it! To all our past, present and future readers and authors, both from PI and from MPV, I wish you all good luck, and welcome!