Convention Report

Struggle for Social and Racial Justice: A Moral Imperative ISNA’s 57th Annual Convention opened doors of inner transformation for global justice

BY RASHEED RABBI

The first ever all-virtual ISNA convention, which took place over Labor Day weekend, continued the annual legacy of bringing Muslim Americans together to learn from each other and renew our faith-based ardor to work for a just society.

Once again the pomp and enthusiasm were present, but this time on a digital platform. The participation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, along with numerous scholars and activists beaming in from across the world, caused a leaping momentum throughout the digital convention.

The theme, “Struggle for Social and Racial Justice: A Moral Imperative,” was both appropriate and appealing, given the massive unemployment and the Black Lives Matter protests, both of which reignited discussions about systemic racism. Calls for police reform brought thousands of people into the streets despite the risk of catching and perhaps dying from the virus to pursue the struggle for civil rights.

Amidst this upheaval, thousands of Muslims registered to learn how 92 scholars, activists, politicians and professionals are navigating these new realities. The two-day event’s 28 titled discussions were grouped into 10 sessions, streamed for 26 hours and designed to open infinite avenues for individual-to-societal-to-global transformations and give a guided tour for some of those pathways.

The recitation of “…persistently stand firm for God, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness...” (5:8-12) reminded the participants of the constant need to reevaluate their true worth and realign their moral imperatives.

A quick glimpse of the core committee during the opening session assured ISNA’s adeptness in networking. Incoming president Safaa Zarzour shared his vision of advancing individual growth and commitments in eradicating prejudices within communities for the coming years and bid a respectful farewell to outgoing president Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed.

Executive director Basharat Saleem highlighted ISNA’s ongoing engagements, among them the Covid-19 task forces for the pandemic, interfaith coalitions to battle

WARE’S RHETORICAL APPROACH EXPOSED THE NON-INTERACTION OF MANY MUSLIM GROUPS WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSLIMS, WHOSE BLOOD AND SWEAT ENABLED US TO REACH THE POINT WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

ISNA president Safaa Zarzour speaks from ISNA HQ

institutional racism and regular spiritual reflections to empower individuals locked down at home.

Inaugural session speakers included Salam Marayati (president, MPAC), Javaid Siddique (president, ICNA) and Edward Mitchell (deputy executive director, CAIR). Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci (scholar) spoke from Turkey, Mohammed Jalaluddin (vice president, ISNA-Canada) and Azhar Aziz (past president, ISNA) shared this convention’s global significance. All of them reflected upon Islam’s pervasive nature in our lives.

As any change expected to impact the world should start from within, the first Saturday morning session focused on transforming our mindset. Muslims find the signs of God within themselves and the horizon (41:53), which, as Tamara Gray adduced, builds a God-centered worldview that sustains our personal relationship with the Creator and our ability to associate with everything as solely His creation.

As we fall short of facilitating that view, we become unfair to others and ourselves. This is exactly what happened to Satan, who considered himself superior to Adam (‘alayhi as salaam), imposed discrimination on God’s creations and was punished for doing so. To avoid making the same mistake, we must include God in all our affairs to strive for the equality and justice that characterize the Islamic worldview. Such an approach will adorn our daily lives with palpable confidence, serenity and security.

Imam Mohamed Magid (former president, ISNA) reminded the participants “not to rely on our actions, but on God, who is in control of everything, is the secret of believers’ success,” for that is the key to cultivating the Divine’s continuous presence and ensuring internal and external peace. At times,