ISNA MATTERS
A Commitment to Service The ISNA 58th Convention will be a virtual event BY ISNA AND MYNA STAFF
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SNA will be hosting its 58th annual convention on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5 to 6) virtually, given lingering concerns about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As we prepare, we at ISNA are more excited than ever to be hosting another major event and are looking forward to marking our 58th year of serving Muslims in America. Building on last year’s theme, “The Struggle for Social Justice: A Moral Imperative,” we plan on addressing critical topics relevant to Muslim Americans and the public at large. Be it challenges we face at home, school or in the workplace, we look forward to engaging them and many others. Topics dealing with peace, social justice and human rights will feature prominently in this year’s convention as well, given the long list of domestic and global challenges our community faces. We also look forward to honoring two more outstanding and accomplished members of our community with our Community Service Award and our Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, we hope to provide, even in our virtual format, entertaining events and opportunities to network.
LAST YEAR, ISNA VIRTUALLY HOSTED ITS ANNUAL CONVENTION — THE 57TH — WITH 100+ SPEAKERS AND 1,000+ FAMILIES IN ATTENDANCE.
All that and more, God willing, is what we are anticipating, and we hope you will join us and continue to support us.
RECENT EFFORTS
Ever since its inception, ISNA has dedicated itself to serving you. We have proudly advanced Islamic education, interfaith relations, civic engagement, youth empowerment and other activities — all for the betterment of our community. Although 2020 was one of the most difficult years the
8 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2021
U.S. has ever faced, ISNA managed to show tremendous leadership, determination and resilience. Last March, ISNA helped established the National Muslim Task Force on Covid-19, a collaboration of 40+ organizations comprising experts in various fields. The task force, which is still active, has issued many statements to provide critical information and public health advice to Muslim Americans. On your behalf, we remain engaged on this front. Last year, ISNA virtually hosted its annual convention — the 57th — with 100+ speakers and 1,000+ families in attendance. That convention spotlighted our community’s great work and provided scholars, teachers, artists and many others with a platform to help educate and inspire our community. Our virtual programs have included a “Friday Reflections” series that has been held weekly over the last year. It remains ongoing to this day. Our 22nd Annual Education Forum — held virtually in April — had a historic turnout of several hundred participants worldwide, including experts from education, child development, psychology and many other fields. ISNA’s interfaith programs stayed consistent, as we participated in numerous interfaith events throughout the year. We continued our chaplaincy training program by hosting a virtual conference for chaplains during September. ISNA also marched ahead with its environmental advocacy efforts. Our “Green Ramadan Campaign,” having recently completed its seventh year, was launched in 2015 to encourage environmentally friendly practices in mosques and Islamic centers. Today, as we get set for another convention, we remain optimistic. We hope that we can continue to count on your support — our passionate, dedicated and generous donors. Your support allows us to host our annual convention, and your generosity enables us to provide a multitude of year-round services to our fellow Muslims. From conventions and virtual events
