New York Times: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Police Funding
As part of its coverage of the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, the New York Times wrote about the debate over funding for the …
Moral, Social and Political Issues
The End (of Lockdown) is Near: Opening Houses of Worship in a Time of Uncertainty
I had just announced our church’s plans to resume in-person worship when someone called and told me they had contracted COVID-19. Immediately, I second-guessed the decision to reopen our worship building for …
Why Genocide Survivors Can Offer a Way to Heal from the Trauma of the Pandemic
This article was originally published in The Conversation. The pandemic has been a period of acute trauma at many levels. More than 3 million people have died globally from COVID-19, including over …
Umar Hakim: Humanitarian Day Reborn for a Ramadan in a Pandemic
This article was originally published in The Washington Post and Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Last year, Ramadan ended just days before the murder …
Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard on Chauvin Trial
Religious leaders anticipated and responded to the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager for the USC Cecil Murray Center …
In Wake of Chauvin Trial, What Can Faith Leaders Learn From the Rodney King LA Civil Unrest?
This article was originally published in Religion News Service and The Washington Post. As the U.S. reacts to the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, many are wary of violence …
Heline Babiene Eweni: 24-year-old “Grandma” Helping Cameroonians Impacted by Secessionist Conflict, COVID-19
This article was originally published by Premium Times, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Gunshot sounds echoed in the home of Lovelyn Endne every night. Apart from the psychological effect …
Shaily Gupta Barnes: An Anti-Poverty Policymaker Finds New Meaning in Hindu Texts
This radio documentary was produced by KALW’s The Spiritual Edge, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Listen to it on The Spiritual Edge’s website. To hear this and other profiles, subscribe …
Annenberg News: Soraya Ahyaudin on Second Pandemic Ramadan
Muslims are celebrating their second Ramadan during the global COVID-19 pandemic, restricting the ability to break the fast and pray together. Annenberg Media spoke with Soraya Ahyaudin, director of the American Muslim …
Faith Leadership Engagement with the FBI
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Critical Conversation series focused on the FBI’s relationship with communities. Pastor Najuma Smith Pollard, program manager of the Cecil …