Speaker Program

Mufti Ikram ul Haq

Topic: Understanding Islam

Mufti Ikram ul Haq is Resident Iman of Masjid Al-Islam in North Smithfield and Mufti of Darul-Ifta of Rhode Island. He is the only Mufti in New England and memorized the entire Quran at the age of eleven. Mufti Ikram is a Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters, the result of many years of study. Mufti Ikram is passionately involved in activities outside the Masjid as well such as delivering lectures at various colleges and universities, participating in different religious meetings, providing invaluable religious advice to Islamic schools, and participating in interfaith dialogue.

Gail Scrowcroft and Jonathan Stone

Topic: Climate Change and Its Impact on the Rhode Island Environment

Gail Scrowcroft is the Associate Director of the Inner Space Center at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, a national facility for ocean science research and education. Gail is an international leader in ocean and climate science education, lecturing across the globe on related issues. She is currently working with the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission to develop international collaborations related to ocean literacy and workforce development for the blue economy.

Jonathan Stone is the Executive Director of Save The Bay. He moved to Rhode Island in 1976 to attend Brown University, before going on to earn an MBA at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business Administration. During his tenure, Save The Bay has successfully challenged ill-conceived and damaging infrastructure projects, sounded the alarm on changing climate conditions, completed dozens of habitat restoration projects, achieved major legislative victories, expanded Save The Bay’s environmental education programs, and strengthened its financial foundation. Gail and Jonathan will provide a current perspective on the climate and its impact on the Rhode Island environment.

David Beauchesne

Topic: Rhode Island’s Musical Future

David Beauchesne is the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. Accomplishments during his first decade of leadership include the creation of the state-of-the-art Carter Center for Music Education in East Providence, dramatic growth in audience and enrollment for the Orchestra and School, a major expansion of partnerships and free programs, consistently balanced budgets, and a doubling of the endowment. He will share how the Philharmonic achieved stability, growth, expanded community impact, and what lies ahead with a new music director at the helm for the Orchestra.