A Commitment to Service

ISNA MATTERS A Commitment to Service

The ISNA 58th Convention will be a virtual event

BY ISNA AND MYNA STAFF

ISNA 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 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

to education forums, youth programs and so much more, your support has helped us thrive for over 57 years. And for that we are humbly grateful and truly proud. Still, our work now must continue, so let’s strive and keep up the momentum as we welcome our 58th annual convention.

MYNACON VIRTUAL For the second consecutive year, the Muslim Youth of North America is excited and proud to host a virtual MYNACON, the youth track at the 2021 ISNA Convention during Labor Day weekend.

Last year, hundreds of participants across the nation gathered virtually to explore the theme “Packing the Essentials: Living in this World as the Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wanted us to live.” Youth were joined by several speakers who all touched on the relevancy of the topic, diving deeper into what it means to focus on the essentials as a youth in contemporary North America. Sheikh Rami Nsour (founding director, the Tayba Foundation) opened the virtual convention by introducing the theme, discussing how to replace non-essential worldly distractions with “essential” matters that will prepare us for success in both this world and the hereafter.

Participants were then given the opportunity to explore the topic of tawakkul (trusting in God) with Ustadha Khadeejah Bari (the Qalam Foundation). The weekend concluded with practical and timely

Journalist Saba Ali Joins Islamic Horizons Editorial Advisory Board

Saba Ali (Syracuse ’04) who has over a decade’s worth of newsroom experience, has accepted the invitation to join the Islamic Horizons Editorial Advisory Board. She has worked as a reporter, web producer and project manager for news outlets such as The Press of Atlantic City and Newsday. She currently works for her hometown newspaper, The Poughkeepsie

Journal, as an investigative reporter.

Saba's priorities in life are family, faith and community. She was the vice-president of the Mid-Hudson Islamic Association for two years and teaches at Masjid Al Noor's Islamic weekend school. She has also volunteered with organizations such as Muslim Education and Converts Center of America.

lessons from Sheikh Ubaydullah Evans (ALIM’s first scholar-in-residence) and Dr. Jawad Shah, a Flint-Mich.-based surgeon and youth groups leader, who touched on how youth can find their passions in this world. This session also delved into one’s passion for Islam, helping youth maintain that sense of devotion to our religion while excelling in what we love.

At this year’s convention, the team hopes to once again touch on relevant topics and offer youth more creative and innovative spaces to connect with their faith. Whether it’s through art contests or Quran recitation circles, lectures or interactive workshops, MYNA is ready to ensure the 2021 convention is unforgettable — even virtually.

“Although the convention was virtual last year, a lot of the lessons conveyed through those sessions are applicable to our lives moving forward as well,” said Maham Bawaney (project manager, MYNA Executive Committee). “This year, we hope to continue to touch on such relevant topics that can guide our youth through the experiences of this world.” ih