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Jun 24 Transforming Your Reality Jun 17 A History of Muslim Americans’ Political Engagement Jun 17 My Brother is Gay: Navigating the Intersection of Religion and Family An interview with Imam Wesley Lebron Jun 10 Islam and the Romans: Early Muslim-Byzantine Interaction May 20 Reclaiming the Sunnah of Adoption and Foster Care: An Interview with Basmah Salam Apr 29 National Poetry Month: An Ode to Faith, Visibility, and the Conversations We Don’t Forget Apr 15 Beyond Ramadan: Taking Its Lessons Farther  Apr 15 The Power of Saying No: A Reflection on Boundaries

Tag: icna mas convention

  • December Conventions Set to Welcome Thousands

    December Conventions Set to Welcome Thousands

    It’s the holiday season, and Christmas festivities are everywhere. As Muslims, it can be hard to find anything else to enjoy during the holidays, but we’ve got you covered! Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS) are hosting regional and annual conventions, respectively, during the month of December. Both events – set for Atlanta and Chicago – are wonderful opportunities for attendees to join fellow Muslims for a myriad of educational and religious programs that foster community and drive positive change.

    Up first is the regional Southeast ICNA-MAS convention scheduled for Dec. 20-22 in Atlanta. This was preceded by the South Central regional ICNA-MAS convention in Houston the weekend after Thanksgiving and will be followed by a regional convention in San Francisco on July 4.

    The regional Atlanta convention, themed “Unshakable Faith: Trusting the Will of Allah,” will feature educational programming, a youth conference, matrimonial services, and a bazaar. For more information on this December event or to register, click here.

    ICNA’s annual convention, which takes place in Baltimore, Maryland, May 24-26, shares the same theme as its regional events. In addition to a host of educational and religious sessions, there will be a Quran competition and debate tournament, as well. For more information, click here.

    Also happening in December is the upcoming MAS-ICNA annual convention, set for downtown Chicago at the McCormick Convention Center. The mega event – 40,000 strong in 2023 – attracts people from across the United States to listen and to learn from esteemed scholars and community leaders. The 2024 convention runs from Dec. 26-28, including a knowledge retreat set for Dec. 24-25.

    For more information, including registration and ticket prices, click here.

    MAS-ICNA Convention Slate of Programming

    Amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, the theme of the convention is “Breaking Chains & Driving Change.” While the program’s goals is to center our hearts on the tens of thousands killed in Palestine, it also will help us to focus our minds on how we can be arbiters of change. According to the convention program, the aim is to “explore the process of breaking free from limitations, fostering unity, and methodically building a foundation for positive change.”

    As in years past, the convention offers a range of activities, special sessions, workshops, marriage events, and youth-oriented programming for children of all ages.

    Main Convention

    During the main session, programming will be based in a large hall to accommodate hundreds of people while parallel lectures and workshops will be happening in smaller spaces. These events convene some of the most reputable Islamic speakers from across the country and around the world. Insha’Allah, the knowledge they share will help attendees navigate any difficulties that come with being a Muslim in America. With lessons from the Quran and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), insha’Allah you will leave the lectures feeling uplifted and inspired, ready to navigate the stressors of everyday life. For a full list of programs, click here.

    2024 Knowledge Retreat

    If you’re looking for a more intimate setting and a deeper dive into Islamic learning, consider joining the Knowledge Retreat. The event, which will be presented in English and Arabic, is billed as a two-day lecture series and is scheduled a few days ahead of the convention Dec. 24-25. Seats are limited, ensuring in-depth discussions. These sessions are ideal for people who’ve engaged in formal Islamic sciences study as well as those looking to begin that type of learning.

    Another retreat component is the Marriage Rejuvenation track, which advises spouses about ways to improve their marriage. Here attendees will engage in lectures, role playing, as well as discussion and group exercises. The registration fee includes one textbook, two workbooks, and writing materials. The session is limited to 50 couples.

    Matrimonial Event

    For Muslims looking to wed, it can often be difficult to connect with good prospects or even to meet other singles seeking a spouse. With that in mind, MAS-ICNA Convention 2024 partnered with matrimonial service Pious Hearts to help marriage-minded singles find one another. During the singles event, folks will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with those looking for a partner. To attend, fill out a registration form and share a little bit about yourself and what you’re looking for. This helps the Pious Heart team to pre-select candidates to ensure everyone has a positive experience. Payment will only be processed if you are selected to attend the event.

    Bazaar

    In between lectures, workshops, and other learning opportunities, you can bet on a bit of fun! The bazaar, which features more than 650 booths, boasts shopping from a wide range of Muslim business owners including artists, entrepreneurs, food vendors, and those selling apparel and books. Additionally, representatives from travel agencies, matrimonial services, Islamic educators, charities and activists will be on hand to talk about their services. Wandering the many rows of vendors and booths is the perfect way to meet and chat with new people. For me, I love browsing the bazaar to support Muslim businesses, and I always make sure to pick up a souvenir to take home with me.

    Youth Program

    Finally, the MAS-ICNA Convention isn’t just for adults. For those with children ages 14-16, encourage them to attend the Youth Program. There they can listen to a host of lectures on a range of topics including community activism, public services, mental health and other issues they might be interested in. The setting also invites them to pose anonymous questions in a safe and nurturing environment. Being in a group setting with their Muslim peers can be a welcome change for many, particularly those who attend schools with few or no Muslims.

    There also will be separate programs for younger children including daycare for kids from birth to age 2, Fun Land for youngsters ages 3-8, and the Young Youth Program for kids 9-13.

    Insha’Allah I have the opportunity to attend this year’s MAS-ICNA convention in Chicago. I am excited to connect with old and new friends as we come together to remember the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, to learn and listen to learned scholars as we strive to be better Muslims and to come together as one Islamic community.

  • Takeaways from ICNA-MAS Convention 2017

    Takeaways from ICNA-MAS Convention 2017

    ICNA Convention Brings Unified Message of Prophets to Baltimore

    Hena Zuberi
    A major change in dates did not deter ICNA-MAS convention attendees as more than 21,000 converged at the Baltimore Convention Center on Easter weekend, April 14-16. The theme of this year’s convention was “Quest for True Success: Divine Message of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them).” At the inner harbor, WHYISLAM, an ICNA initiative, conducted street dawah on a perfect spring day. Sadaqah was also a big part of the weekend. 750 Blessing Bags were distributed on Friday after Jummah and a thousand hot meals distributed after Zuhr on Saturday at four locations in Baltimore City by MSSA (Muslim Social Services Agency) and ICNA Relief volunteers.

    All booths at the bazaar were completely sold out, with 450 vendors. Over 125 sessions, including spiritual, parenting, marriage, and activism tracks, took place throughout the three days. For the first time ever, the main sessions were live streamed using Virtual Reality 360 degree cameras. Breakout sessions in Malay and Turkish were added to existing ethnic sessions in Arabic, Bangla, Urdu, and Spanish languages. Several organizations collaborated to host mini-events like Muslimmatters, IIIT, Noor Kids, Council on Islamic American Relations, Muslim Legal Fund of America, Muslim Social Services Agency, and others. A new programming track for ages 10-14 was introduced and was well-attended. The Youth Conference was packed and their sessions were a huge draw. The annual Quran competition was held, as well as the first ever ICNA Master Chef competition.

    Jummah was led by the new ICNA President, Javaid Siddiqi, of Kentucky. His khutbah was about renewing the intentions — every speaker, attendee, volunteer, and vendor at the convention — his or her intention should be solely to please Allah. “It is a true mercy of Allah that He has made you and I Muslims,” concluded Javaid Siddiqi at the last session.

    It’s Time to Get Uncomfortable

    Wajid Khan
    I have always heard of people going to ICNA and returning with all of these cool stories about how they got to see all of their favorite scholars. The talk that I attended was named Islam: Deconstructing Myths and Clarifying Truths. The speaker who stood out to me the most was Dr. Dalia F. Fahmi, a professor of political science. I had known of her beforehand, but I had never heard her speak. When she got on stage and began to speak, you could feel the emotion, the passion, and the care in her voice. She began talking about issues such as starvation in Africa, or politicians belittling Muslims and misrepresenting “Shari’a Law.” She gave uncomfortably mind-boggling statistics about people dying around the world. She spoke so fiercely but compassionately at the same time, with language intended, as she herself stated, not to comfort you but, in fact, to make you uncomfortable. It forced me to reflect with sadness on how little I am doing for the people in need. I have working arms, legs, and mind, and yet I use none of them to help. How am I able to live day-to-day without thinking once about others? Do I not have a responsibility to people who cannot fend for themselves?

    I greatly enjoyed this talk and it forced me into a position from which lot of people insulate themselves. A position of discomfort. Too often are we too comfortable, and we find it difficult to leave behind the luxury. It’s time to get uncomfortable, and start facing these issues head on together, as a united ummah.

    The Wisdom of Converts and the Value of Seeking Knowledge

    Arshiya Shaikh

    There was one session at the recent ICNA Convention in Baltimore that had the greatest influence on me. The Youth Conference, entitled “The Storm Within,” honestly changed my life. The topic of the session was “Seeking Knowledge.” Former basketball player, Br. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, spoke about seeking knowledge and related it to his own life. His mother had only received an 8th-grade education. He also pointed out how he was very socially awkward as a kid, and how he had had trouble giving voice to his own thoughts and opinions. The fact that he could go from being that person to speaking in front of hundreds of people was a great eye opener. I personally have always had trouble, for example, with raising my hand in class. The comparison of his childhood to his life now really gave me a confidence boost. He mentioned that ever since his conversion to Islam he has taken any chance he could get to enhance his level of knowledge.

    Another speaker who was at this same session was Sheikh Saad Tasleem. He said that people nowadays don’t take the concept of seeking knowledge seriously for one reason — the Internet. We all think that the knowledge is at our fingertips, so what’s the point in making an effort to learn. I was very fortunate to hear this because, in truth, I am that person. I am guilty of neglecting to put in the extra effort to open up a book and try to obtain something new. I am very thankful that I had the chance to hear these wonderful words from these people and that I am now able to apply it to my own life. I will, insha’Allah, try to put these words into actions and improve my life for the better and, insha’Allah, ensure my path to Jannah.
    Boys II Men
    Moazam Afzal

    As attendees of Islamic conferences, we come in with the intention to seek knowledge but we often end up confusing knowledge with inspiration. Sheikh Abdul Nasir Jangda articulated this point in the Boys II Men session at the ICNA 2017 conference. In conferences such as ICNA you can, and are meant to, gain knowledge, but it is primarily for inspiration. Inspiration isn’t a bad thing, in fact, it is essential because it embeds in us the desire to want to continue to learn and grow. Nonetheless, it is important that we make a clear distinction between the two. If people weren’t inspired to learn, nobody would become a scholar, hafiz, or an imam.

    As Muslims, we must seek knowledge so we can better ourselves. Sheikh Jangda mentioned that if you just replace the ten minutes you are on your phone before you go to sleep you could learn so much. This message applies to me first. I can say that personally after attending the conference, alhamdulillah, I’m on an iman high, but it slowly fades as we get busy in our day-to-day lives. We have to make the intention that we will continue to seek knowledge outside of conferences like ICNA by using the inspiration and advice that we received during that weekend. Inshallah, we can use knowledge to better ourselves, our communities, and to please Allah (SWT).