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Isna Community Development Forum Held In Chicago
By Ayub Khan
IOL correspondent in Chicago
CHICAGO, April 1, (IslamOnline) - The Islamic Society of North America's (ISNA) Community Development Conference and Third Annual Educational Forum, was held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Chicago March 29-31, focusing on lessons learned from September 11th.
Muslim leaders, professionals, and activists, exchanged views on problems currently affecting the Muslim community and how to tackle them. In parallel sessions held during the conference several issues were discussed including domestic violence, fundraising, child development and teacher training. Training programs for conflict resolution, marriage and counseling were also held.
In a session moderated by Shaikh Abdullah Idris Ali titled “Impact of 9/11 on Islamic Schools,” teachers and administrators from 37 Islamic schools across North America participated, with most of the participants saying they received some kind of threat after September 11th.
Teachers admitted that they were caught off guard and some didn't know how to react to September 11th and the aftermath, as children and parents panicked and decided not to send their children to schools for a few days. Teachers said that their students asked several interesting questions like: "Is there going to be a war?” and "Why did Muslims commit such an act?”
Some schools received threats of violence over the telephone and in a few instances shots were fired at mosques, tires slashed and other property damage was inflicted. In an extreme case, a hostile mob of about 300 young people marched to the site of Al Aqsa School in Bridgeview, Illinois. In addition, a crude hand made bomb was thrown at ISNA’s High School.
In a bizarre incident in Massachusetts, a revered Muslim female teacher was questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The teacher reportedly converted to Islam through the guidance of one of Osama bin Laden’s sisters. Her own family had disowned her and called the FBI.
The teachers also discussed the response of police in their respective communities. In most cases they were helpful and cooperative.
Out of the 37 schools which participated in the conference, six were open after 9/11, 3 closed for 1 day and 7 closed for 2 days. Ten were closed for a week. Six schools had American flags on their buildings before 9/11, and there are disputes running regarding the flag at eight schools presently.
The schools were urged to be proactive rather than reactive, and to maintain regular contact with people of other faiths and police authorities. Sister Rafiyyah from Sister Clara Muhammad School in Washington DC, appealed to participants to reach out to one another and cooperate to get maximum results.
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