ICUJP Friday Forums, Fridays 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Weekly Friday Forums are the lifeline of ICUJP! We have guest speakers, share reflections, and plan campaigns and actions. All are invited to join us from 7:30 to 9:30 am (yes that is AM)!
Traditionally, ICUJP Forums met in person at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. However, in response to the pandemic, the program has moved online. Please register for our upcoming meeting, and signup for ICUJP's newsletter to receive correspondence on future Friday Forums including, speakers, topics and much more!
To view past Friday Forums visit ICUJP's YouTube Channel HERE
Friday, April 10, 2026 at 07:30 AM
04.10.26friday_forum
Please join us online
ICUJP Friday Forum
April 10th 7:30-9:30 am Pacific
Ramses Rashidi: Contributing To The Advancement Of Civilization By Nurturing The Virtues And Imagination Of Youth And Adults
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Event Description:
Community empowerment—integrating both spiritual and material dimensions—and the global application of balanced development models across social, economic, and ecological spheres can foster innovation for a more united, equitable, and regenerative world, contributing to the advancement of civilization.
Join the conversation with our speaker:
Ramses Rashidi, Founder and Executive Director of theCenter for Balanced Development, is dedicated to the empowerment of the global community through ongoing research and innovative programs.
Inspired by the Bahá’í vision of world unity, his lifelong journey—from Iran to the United States and China—has included extensive research into the history of civilizations and global development trends. For more than three decades, he has focused on exploring and designing balanced development systems across social, economic, and ecological dimensions that contribute to a more united, equitable, and regenerative world and to advancing civilization.
Ramses has authored numerous articles and papers on The Framework for a Balanced Development Model, published across various platforms and languages. In 1995, he founded the Center for Balanced Development, which was later established as a nonprofit organization in the United States.
Now based in Southern California, Ramses is developing the Innovation Club, an empowerment program designed to nurture the virtues and imagination of children and youth through mentorship by parents and community members. He is also exploring the integration of higher intelligence principles into Spiritual Enterprise initiatives that align purpose, innovation, and service.
Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:
The Center For Balanced Development7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions
7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20 Announcements
9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayerStart your morning with us!
Facilitator: Anthony Manousos
Reflector: Dr. Rubi Omar
** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **-----Here's how to join the online meeting:
To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.
If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward.
If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.
ICUJP Friday Forum 04/10/26
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)RSVP AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:
To mute/unmute yourself: *6
To raise hand: *9(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)
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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.
After No Kings Day - What's Next?

On March 28th, over 8 million people said in one voice that this country has No Kings.Much of the ICUJP family was out proclaiming the change we want to see in the world, and we hope a lot of us take this occasion to move from "protester" to "activist" and help make permanent, positive change.
It's not really that hard or time consuming to be an activist - if, say, half of the people participating Saturday acted in a concrete manner by either protesting financially (changing the distribution of the mutual funds in your 401k from companies that support this administration), tie up reservation lines of airlines that contract with ICE, call talk radio (still one of the biggest right-wing echo chambers), and agree with the host until you get on the air - all of that and many other different acts will make a difference.
Bottom line, fascism thrives in a predatory capitalist environment, and the harder you make it for them to make money, the more they have to deal with you.
Remember: ten minutes of action against the billionaires will make your sign carrying resonate a lot longer than just one afternoon.40 Simple Everyday Tips to Fight Capitalism – Rebel’s Guide 2026

Last week, the House passed a bill giving ICE billions more dollars. It is immoral to fund the separation, persecution, and death of our people. The Senate votes this week on funding billions of dollars for ICE. We must act now!
EMAIL YOUR SENATORS NOW and tell them to:
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VOTE NO on any additional funding for DHS this year.
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Get ICE out of our communities and demand a pause on ICE activities pending a thorough bipartisan investigation of their actions that lawmakers must create. We demand meaningful regulation, transparency, and accountability for ICE, including clear limits on enforcement tactics, independent investigations of use-of-force incidents, and protections for civil liberties.
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We stand with Minnesota and demand that ICE and CBP officers in both cases must be charged and prosecuted. FBI evidence must be released to Minnesota law enforcement.
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Congress must investigate! Click on the link and let your senators know!
Tell Your Senators; Vote NO On DHS Funding!

Become a Card-Carrying Member of Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace!
This year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace is commemorating 25 years of advocacy for the disenfranchised and abused at home and around the world. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, Los Angeles religious and secular leaders and activists came together to seek an alternative to the fear mongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation. ICUJP declared that “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.”
We have endured and spread our message through very trying times - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and challenges that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated group of activists. But through it all, we have held true to our mission to be the voice for "the least of these." We are determined to create the change we want to see in the world, no matter how daunting the opposition can seem.
Like many nonprofits, the economy, the aftereffects of the Covid pandemic, and the constant attacks on progressive organizations by the Trump administration have affected our fundraising. We depend on the support of people who believe in justice and peace, who attend our weekly Zoom forums, who go to our events, or who receive the information on our website and social media.
We would be honored if you can donate $25, $50, $100 (or more) to help us keep up with the increasing costs of securing live venues, renting audio and video equipment, printing valuable information for live events, bringing our social media tools up to date, and paying our small but mighty part-time staff.We have several ways for you to support our work:
You can go to the ICUJP donation page on our website to make a one-time donation, or spread your donation out monthly.
You can also visit our ICUJP Threadless Store where you can make a purchase and wear your support for our organization, or give the gift of a tote bag, a mug, or a cute little onesie so your grandkids can be fashionable!
If you make a donation using either of these options, we will also send you a personalized ICUJP membership card for yourself or as a gift to print out:
ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for 25 years through the generosity of individuals like yourselves and organizations such as yours.
Thank you for your ongoing support – we are honoured to be standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the struggle for universal Justice and Peace.RESOURCES FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PEOPLE UNDER SEIGE
ICUJP Condemns the actions of the current administration to foment unrest in Southern California and other parts of the US. We hope you will find the following information useful in keeping involved and safe.
Video: Ali Ghamsari - Music For Peace in Iran

Ali Ghamsari is one of Iran's premier Classical musicians, and he is currently playing his music in a sit-in at the Damavand power plant, a site currently identified as a potential target in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Ghamsari is using his performance to draw global attention to the humanitarian risks of targeting critical civilian infrastructure. Ghamsari expressed hope that the soothing power of music could serve as a reminder of humanity amidst haunting wartime conditions.
You can hear a full concert from Ali Ghamsari and his Ensemble, performing the beautiful music of a long-lasting and vital culture here.
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