US Convention Offers Window to Islam
“For several decades Islam has been in the forefront of discussions in America and across the globe and more so since the tragic event of 9/11,” a statement published on ICNA site reads.
“Americans begin to express fear more than ever before, raising questions such as what is Islam? Who are Muslims? What are the tenets of the faith? How “to trust” or “not to trust” a Muslim neighbor, co-worker, a friend or a fellow citizen.
“Much of this fear and mistrust stem from a lack of knowledge about Islam and Muslims. Then there are those who would recycle hearsay and call it Islam, feeding the flames of fear and ignorance.”
More than 20,000 Muslims from across the United States are expected to attend the convention of the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) which runs from Saturday May 24 – 26, 2014.
This year's theme of the three-day convention, which opens tomorrow, is “Islam; Faith * Submission * Service”.
“This year ICNA-MAS would like to present facts about: What does it mean to have faith in God, The Creator of all that exists? How is it expressed in everyday life? How does faith make us better human beings?” ICNA website says.
“Then when we have faith in The Creator how do we submit to Him? How important is it to submit to The Almighty in order to grow spiritually? What happens when man submits to his desires and ego? Customs and heresies? Falsehood and evil?”
A host of leading Muslim figures will attend the conference as Nouman Ali Khan, founder and CEO of Bayyinah Institute, Sheikh Omar Suleiman, member of the Islamic Circle of North America’s Shari`ah Council and ICNA’s Institute of Learning Foundation (ILF), and prominent Sh. Yasir Qadhi.
The event would also be attended by Ustadh Wisam Sharieff of Bayyinah Institute, Sheikh Abdul Nasir Jangda, Imam Siraj Wahhaj and Dr. Jamal Badawi, Professor Emeritus at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
“Renowned speakers and thinkers from across the United States will gather to shed light on these very fundamental principles of Islam,” ICNA website added.
“They will tell how through faith, submission and service the hearts were ignited and the light of Islam reached every nook and corner of this globe. And it is through faith, submission and service we can make this world as better place.”
Another parallel event will be hosted by Young Muslims (YM) organization under the theme “Hearts of Glass: Shadows of Doubt”.
The event will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center, the premier location for conventions, tradeshows and expositions in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The United States is home to a Muslim minority of between six to eight million.
ICNA is one of the largest, non-profit, grassroots Muslim organizations in North America with many projects, programs, and activities designed to help in reforming society at large.
Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.
Source: OnIslam
