indianamuslims.org

MAI Second Annual Convention (2008)

On the weekend of October 17, 2008, the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) partnered with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) to organize the Second Annual MAI Convention.  The theme of the event was Islam: A Call for Social Justice. 

The event highlighted the introduction of a statewide Campaign for Social Justice in Indiana.  The convention was comprised of seven plenary sessions on spiritual and political topics that are relevant to many Muslim Americans in this day and age.  In addition, there were five sessions that focused on community and leadership development, three sessions for Islamic school teachers, and four parallel sessions that were managed by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) along with the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA).  The convention also featured an interfaith luncheon, a meeting with community leaders, and a banquet dinner with keynote speaker Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN).  At the dinner, Carson stressed the need to institutionalize Islam’s call for social justice.

The conference was initiated by an interfaith luncheon that examined the role that religion plays in the pursuit of social justice.  Rabbi Aaron Spiegel (Indianapolis Center for Congregations and the Synagogue 3000 project), Dr. Richard B. Gunderman (Indiana University School of Medicine), and Dr. Muneer Fareed shared their individual views and collectively relayed to the audience the importance of viewing faith and justice as synonymous.  The event was attended by a number of community activists, including representatives of Indiana.  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, the Marion County Public Defender, and the Marion County Prosecutor were among the political representatives in attendance.  The event was moderated by Rafia Zakaria (Associate Executive Director of MAI and Director of MAI Women’s Fund) and chaired by Dr. Aisha Zafar (Chair of MAI Women’s Fund).  The interfaith luncheon also marked the presentation of the Interfaith Award to Carleen Miller (Executive Director of Exodus Refugee International) for her work with Muslim refugees in Bangladesh as well her contributions to Muslim Hoosier organizations.

Shariq Siddiqui (Executive Director of MAI) highlighted the important achievements of the MAI convention, including the establishment of a number of social justice partnerships.  One such collaboration was with the American Red Cross.  In partnership with ARC, the convention hosted a blood drive that saved the lives of over 70 individuals.  The event was also a reflection of the Muslim Hoosier community’s high level of political engagement.  Because this year’s conference was held a few weeks prior to elections, a number of politicians used the event as a means of addressing the Muslim community of Indiana.  Some of the politicians participating in this year’s convention included the candidates for Indiana Governor, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Education.  A number of congressional candidates also attended, although not all were physically present—Senator Evan Bayh addressed Muslim Hoosiers via video message.

The convention also brought in many scholars and experts to discuss the teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet (PBUH) and their applications to contemporary life.  Dr. Louay Safi (Director of ISNA Leadership Development Center) presented a workshop on “The Making of Compassionate Leadership” and used the example of Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and teachings of the Holy Qur’an to examine the fundamental components of an effective leader: character, competence, and compassion.  Imam Mikaal Saahir (Vice President of MAI), Dr. Safaa Zarzour (Council of Islamic Schools in North America [CISNA]), and Imam Mongy (Director of Northwest Indiana Islamic Center) discussed “Toward Tolerance: Embracing Diversity and Strengthening the Ummah,” with reference to the Qur'an:  O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you (4:1).    

In addition, Dr. Fareed, Imam Mongy, and Mohamed Magid (Vice President of ISNA-US and Director of ADAMS Center in Sterling, VA) discussed the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in “Implementing Salam: Following the Prophetic Model”.  This session touched on the idea that the life of the Prophet serves as the ultimate example of good character.  God commands the followers of the Prophet to use his example as a means of striving for excellence. The speakers pointed out how Muslims can use the life of the Prophet as well as the actions of his companions as examples in this day and age to portray the true message of peace that Islam presents.  They also cited the Qur’an in their discussion:  Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah (33:21).

The convention also invested time in addressing the Muslim youth.  Imam Zaid Shakir (who also delivered the Jummah khutbah) and Imam Magid  led an MSA/MYNA session about balancing religion with community involvement. Dr. Habeeb Qadri (Principal of MCC School in Chicago, IL), Dr. Altaf Husain, and Imam Shakir addressed joint MYNA/MSA sessions that focused on community leadership as well as coping with the many challenges faced by today’s youth.  In keeping with the election season, MYNA and MSA also held sessions that encouraged youth to become politically involved in their communities. Dr. Fareed and Imam Magid reminded the youth that they have the abilities and resources to strengthen the Ummah.

The weekend concluded with the Indiana premiere of “Allah Made Me Funny”, a documentary film about the rising success of three Muslim comedians.  Other entertainment throughout the weekend included a musical performance, a film festival, and an Urdu poetry session.

The event will continue to grow in the following years, but still, the 2008 MAI Convention soundly projected the strength and commitment of the Muslim community in Indiana.  Amongst the politicians, scholars, and entertainers in attendance was a Muslim Ummah that seeks to strengthen itself by working towards social justice.