CONFERENCE IN CINCINNATI P o w e r o f F a i t h : T r a n s f o r m i n g Se l f a n d S o c i e t y IslamicSocietyof NorthAmerica Friday & Saturday, November 17-18, 2017 Friday - Regist rat ion opens at 3:00 PM 5:45-7:00 PM Session 1 Recitation from the Holy Qur?an - Zane Charif Power of Fait h: Transforming Self and Societ y Those who submit themselves to Allah (SWT) have undoubtedly found the answer to one of humanities most debated questions: why are we here? The Qur?an clearly tells us that our sole purpose on this earth is to worship Allah (SWT) and serve His creation. Worshiping Allah (SWT) is an entire lifestyle defined by an outward expression of a heart that is close to Him. We must go back to square one and work from the inside out, beginning with setting clear intentions for all our actions. What are our goals in life? How will they help us achieve our ultimate goal of life? Speakers: Hossam Musa, Sayyid M. Syeed Moderator: Maria Munir 5:45-7:00 PM Session 1 A MSA/MYNA/Youth (Ages10-22) Role Models - Be One As our society begins to influence the qualifications of a role model, youth are beginning to have skewed definitions of what one should be. When you ask a child who their role model is, very rarely will they say the Prophet (s), but rather you may hear them answer with a celebrity's name. In this session, the speaker will outline reasons why our role models are so important and how much they influence our daily lives. Also, this session will emphasize how you also have to be a good example for others. Speaker: Fiyyaz Jaat Moderator: Saidou Ly 7:00-7:30 PM 7:45-9:00 PM Session 2 Plenary Ish a Pr ayer Taking a Leap of Fait h When times are confusing and the road ahead doesn't look like it will take us somewhere, we seek comfort in our faith and have the trust in Allah that He will guide us. If we follow His guidance, in the end it will all come together. Speakers: Fiyyaz Jaat, Ubaydullah Evans Moderator: Ashraf Traboulsi
P o w e r o f F a i t h : T r a n s f o r m i n g Se l f a n d So c i e t y Sat urday, Regist rat ion opens at 8:30 AM Recitation for the Holy Qur'an - Haseeb Bakali 9:30-10:00 AM Session 3 Inaugural Welcome Session - ICGC Conference Youth Chair - Ahmad H. Saqr ICGC Board Chair - Shakila Ahmad ISNA President - Azhar Azeez Emcee: Samina Sohail, Conference Co-Chair 10:00-11:15 AM Session 4 Plenary Envisioning t he Prophet ic Communit y: t he Fut ure of Masajid in America The Prophet (pbuh) and his companions created a community that was vibrant with diverse personalities, talents, and customs, yet united in embracing the most beautiful way of life. Brotherhood and sisterhood between all Muslims was encouraged, no matter what background an individual had. The Prophet?s Masjid played a vital role in the lives of early Muslims. Are we using our masjid to its fullest potential in structuring our community, as well as the overall image of Muslims? Speakers: Shakila Ahmad, Sayyid M. Syeed, Azhar Azeez Moderator: Nazim Fazlani 11:30-12:45 PM Session 5 Be an Agent of Change There comes a time in our lives when we come to a crossroad. The choices we make at those junctures influence the future chapters of our lives until the next crossroad emerges. We as a community are at a critical crossroad in our history as Muslims in America. This is the moment we turn the corner, and unapologetically present a communal identity that is at once Muslim and American. We need to create a strategy for presenting our narrative, defending ourselves, and integrating our efforts within the fabric of society. Speakers: Hossam Musa, Ubaydullah Evans Moderator: Haroon Chaudhry 11:30-12:45 PM Session 5A MSA/MYNA/Youth (Ages 10-22) Diseases of t he Heart - Ego Unfortunately, as we progress through our lives in the present day, society has pressured us to mistake our confidence with ego. The reality is that people nowadays want you to be humble until you are actually humble, and because we are pressured to become egotistical, we fall into the trap. Insha'Allah this session will provide in depth description of our heart in Islam and how we should not have a hard heart. How can we strengthen our deen without first curing our heart? We can?t. Speaker: Habeeb Quadri Moderator: Fat ima Khan 12:45-2:00 PM Lunch Break and Dhuhr Prayer
P o w e r o f F a i t h : T r a n sf o r m i n g Se l f a n d So c i e t y Session 6 Fait h Beyond Words: Finding t he Help of Allah?Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] Messenger and those who believed with him said,?where is the help of Allah?? Unquestionably, the help of Allah isnear.?[quran 2:214] Each human on this planet is tested with the most rigorous trials and tribulations. In order to overcome these tests designed by Allah (SWT), each of us must strive to achieve patience and hold fast to our faith. In this session, speakers will examine how to translate stories from the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) into lessons applicable to our daily life. Speakers: Suleiman Hani, Yasmin Mogahed Moderator: Ahsan Zafar Islam and Act ivism Communit y Room Session 6A MSA & Young Professional (Ages18+) Session 6B MYNA & Youth (Ages12-17) In the current political climate and increase of bigotry and hate, it is easy for Muslims to forget the interconnectedness of human beings. We tend to focus on the issues that only affect us and our livelihood. But what about disenfranchised groups like Black Lives Matters, or the LGBTQ+ community? Is it not our duty to fight against injustice in any form? How do we stay true to ourselves as we fight for the rights of others? Speaker: Wajahat Ali Moderator: Zara Ahmed Looking Deep: W ho Are We? (Panel Discussion) As Muslim Youth of North America, we are constantly being told that we are the leaders of tomorrow, but how can we be ready to be the leaders of tomorrow? Jundub bin Abdullah said:?we were with the Prophet (saw), and we were strong youths, so we learned iman before we learned Qur'an. Then we learned Qur'an and our faith increased thereby.?(ibn Majah). As shown in the hadith, before even learning Qur'an, the youth of the Prophet (pbuh)?s time learned faith. So, for the youth of today, we must first strengthen our iman and our deen before we attempt to fulfill our duties as leaders of tomorrow. This session will also emphasize the importance of standing up for ourselves and against Islamaphobia. Panelist: Alaa Abdeldaiem, Hossam Musa Moderator: Emaan Asghar 3:30-4:00 PM Asr Prayer
P o w e r o f F a i t h : T r a n s f o r m i n g Se l f a n d So c i e t y Going Beyond t he Basics: Empowerment t hrough Engagement Session 7 As we talk about practicing Islam in our individual, family, and community lives, we also need to explore how to serve the extended community outside the masjid walls. This session will discuss the importance of community service in Islam, as well as the various means we can use to practice social and humanitarian service as Muslims in North America and beyond. Speakers: Wajahat Ali, Shabana Ahmed, Sana Hassan Moderator: Umama Alam Communit y Room Session 7A MSA & Young Professional (Ages18+) Relat ionships in Islam Throughout one?s life, a multitude of relationships are formed. Whether familial, romantic, or professional, these relationships speak volumes as to who we are as a person. How do we use Islam and its moral code to form healthy relationships? Speakers: Ubaydullah Evans, Azhar Azeez Moderator: Zara Ahmed Real Talk M asjid Hall Session 7B MYNA & Youth (Ages12-17) As Muslim-American youth we constantly face multiple struggles each day. As we dissect the intricate dimensions of living in this society, we are tasked to juggle our identity as Muslims, Americans and as your everyday teenagers. Sometimes we make mistakes along our path to finding out who we are. Join us for discussion about the real problems facing our youth from addictions such as drugs, gaming and pornography to questioning our religion and self-identity. In this session we will initiate a healthy discussion regarding these issues. Speakers: Yasmin Mogahed, Habeeb Quadri Moderator: Haseeb Bakali 5:15-5:45 PM 5:45-6:45 PM Session 8 & MSA Maghrib Prayer St rengt hening t he Spirit of t he Family Despite all the challenges facing Muslim-American families today, Allah has showered us with abundant blessings. This panel discussion will focus on building the foundation of a solid family, based on the fundamental themes from the Quran and the seerah. What are the relevant steps in establishing a strong family? Speakers will share their perspectives on husband-wife, parent-child and inter-familial relationships. Speakers: Habeeb Quadri, Yasmin Mogahed Moderator: Afreen Asif
Loving Allah 5:45-6:45 PM Frequently, youth are pushed by their parents and elders to pray, read the Qur'an, make dua, and so much more. But as they grow up, many perform these acts because their parents told them to do so. More often than not, youth do not seek further learning of a deeper understanding behind Islam and why these acts of worship are important. Youth must strive to empower themselves and strengthen their faith. M asjid Hall Session 8A MYNA &Youth (Ages10-22) Speaker: Amina Darwish, Suleiman Hani Moderator: Noor Amir ISNA Celebrat ion Banquet 7:00-9:00 PM Gymnasium - Recitation from the Holy Qur?an - Shaikh Mahmoud Khalil Guest Speaker - Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed Keynote address - Wajahat Ali ISNA Presidents remarks -Azhar Azeez Community Service Recognition Award Ceremony - Dr. Inayat Malik & Rahma Communit y Services Recognition of Muslim Social Entrepreneur - Must afa Koylu, Sultans Entertainment program - Raef Emcee: Tammam Alwan, ICGC Executive Director