Page 36 - The Indian EYE 091523

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 36

20,000 community members attended

ISNA’s 60th Annual Convention

OUR BUREAU the Convention provides a platform
to Muslims, guests from other faith
Chicago, IL
communities, families, businesses
he Islamic Society of North and non-profit organizations to net-
America (ISNA) rolled out its work and exchange ideas. This year’s
Thigh profile 60th Annual Con- theme, “60 years of service: Navi-
vention and attracted Thousands of gating the way forward”, he added,
Enthusiastic Participants at the Don- was largely centered on how faith
ald E. Stephens Convention Center can inspire the community to bring
in Rosemont, Illinois (5555 N. River positive social change in response to
Road, Rosemont, IL 60018). “A Mul- challenges and injustices of all forms.
tifaceted #ISNA60 Convention was “The Convention was a great oppor-
inaugurated by around 40 elected tunity to look back and celebrate our
officials and community leaders fol- accomplishments and successes as
lowed by Friday prayer by thousands American Muslim community and at
of participants. the same also look ahead to address
Islamic Society of North Amer- some of the challenges we face as a his lifetime dedication to serving the
ica (ISNA) convention is widely re- community in North America”, he community. Mazen Basrawi from the
garded as the largest annual gather- concluded with a sense of optimism. white house read a special letter from
ing of Muslims in America. It attracts “ISNA had a rich list of 200 re- POTUS, building interfaith relation-
thousands of participants and serves nowned speakers, scholars, commu- ships and social justice advocacy, said
as a social and spiritual event for the nity leaders, and public servants to Mr. Azhar Azeez, board member and
betterment of our community. In address Convention attendees. Re- former President, ISNA. Over 40%
addition to Muslim Americans, the marks from Congressman Ro Khan- convention speakers were females
convention attracts people of other na (Rep. California 17th District), that includes well known academics
faiths, international delegations, and Congresswoman Summer Lee, Khizr and scholars like Dr. Rani Awad,
officials from local, state, and federal Khan (Goldstar Father and Presi- Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Ustadha Lehsa
government, including heads of state dential Medal of Honor Recipient) Prime, Ustadha Muslema Perumal,
said Mir Khan, Chairman, Steering Comedian Preacher Moss & other Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed and oth-
Committee, ISNA. national Muslim entertainers offer- ers, Azeez added. Complementing
“ISNA’s Convention is more ing their signature acts. Film Festival the main ISNA offering of programs,
than simply a coming together of featuring Muslim American film- there were conferences hosted by ISNA were laid in 1963 by the Mus-
Muslim community. Our goal is to makers tackling relevant issues fac- MSA of US & Canada. lim Students Association of the US
unite people across different faiths ing Muslim Americans. One of the ISNA is the largest and oldest and Canada (now MSA-National). In
and backgrounds in the spirit of largest Muslim Matrimonial events Islamic umbrella organization in everything that ISNA does, the effort
peace and better understanding”, in the US Renowned speakers like North America. Its mission is to fos- is not just to unite and strengthen the
said Safa Zarzour, ISNA President, Hamza Yusuf, Zaid Shakir & Yasir ter the development of the Muslim Muslim community and their trust
in his Inaugural Address. Continuing Qadhi addressing evolving Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic in Allah, but also ISNA is actively
his address, he said that even though issues. engagement, and better understand- building bridges of understanding,
the Convention is by Muslims, it Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, was the ing of Islam at an international level, communication, reconciliation, and
is for everyone. “This is not just a keynote speaker during the Commu- representing the voices of Muslim cooperation with the mainstream
Muslim event, but this is an Ameri- nity Service Recognition Luncheon Americans said Basharat Saleem, Ex- faith and other communities.
can event”, he stated and added that which honored Dr.Ihsan Bagby for ecutive Director, ISNA. The roots of ---Asian Media USA

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