Yusuf Islam - former rock singer Cat Stevens – is scheduled to speak at the convention

By Dina Rashed, IOL Correspondent

CHICAGO, August 29 (IslamOnline.net) - Over the long Labor-Day weekend, tens of thousands of Muslims from all over North America will head for the City of Chicago to take part in the Annual Convention of the Islamic Society of North America, starting Friday, August 29, and lasting till the first day of September, featuring a journey towards spiritual enrichment and experiences of bonding.

To be held under the title “Islam: Enduring Values for Daily Life”, the convention brings Muslim scholars, experts, and activists to thousands who gather in a warm and live inter-Muslim dialogue discussing the challenges facing American Muslims especially those of the past two years, and attempting to reach solutions inspired by the values of the Qur'an (Muslim's Holy Book) and the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).

“Our speakers are more conscience, more aware of their existence in this country,” said Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, Secretary General of ISNA, to IslamOnline.net, adding, “We are trying to reach out to our community and to the rest of the country as well.”

With a distinguished array of speakers, Dr. Syeed hopes the convention presents the right understanding of Islam to fellow Americans.

Friday evening features an Interfaith Unity Banquet, where leaders of other religions including Catholic, Protestant and Jewish leaders will gather with their Muslim counterparts to further strengthen their commitment towards working for the common good and to foster the bonds and commonalities among people of different faiths.

“Two Conventions, One People”

Another trait that characterizes this convention, according to Dr. Syeed, is its openness to Muslims of all backgrounds. As Chicago is home to one of the largest Muslim African American communities in the U.S. , the Muslim American Society led by Imam Warith Deen Mohammed has been holding its annual conference similarly during the same weekend. Because of this time conflict which has drawn criticism to both organizations, ISNA’s organizing committee decided this year to automatically include participants in ASM’s conference into their convention.

“We are working in full coordination with brother Warith Mohammed, I call it two conventions but one people,” said Dr. Syeed, adding, “We understand that some are more comfortable in their own setting, so we decided who ever will be registered in the other conference, will automatically be able to attend our convention as well.”

This year’s convention, which counts as the organization’s 40th Annual Convention, is a come-back to Chicago , the city that hosted ISNA’s annual conventions in 2000, 2001. Following a short stay in Washington , D.C. , which hosted the annual convention last year, ISNA’s organizers are bringing back masses of North American Muslims to Chicago .

The Windy city’s geography and demography have been crucial in the success of the past ISNA conventions held in 2000 and 2001. The central location of the capitol of the Midwest has attracted close to 30 thousand attendees to each of the past conventions, from the neighboring states as well as from the East Coast, West Coast and bordering Canada . While the highly dynamic Muslim community of Metropolitan Chicago played a major role in making the annual event a big success by lending many organizational and intellectual skills.

“This is the first convention to be held in Chicago after 9/11, and we are expecting large numbers to attend.” said Dr. Syeed.

The event gathers an array of Muslim scholars, activists and features presentations and lectures by non-Muslim as well. Among those scheduled to speak at the convention is Yusuf Islam (former rock singer Cat Stevens); Sheikh Nur Abdullah, ISNA President and Director of the Islamic Foundation of Greater Missouri; Dr. Ingrid Mattson, ISNA Vice-President & Professor of Islamic Studies at the Hartford Seminary; Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California; Imam Siraj Wahhaj of Masjid Al-Taqwa, Brooklyn; Jamal Badawi, Professor at St. Mary’s University,  Nova Scotia; and Abdul Hakim Jackson, Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

This year’s convention is also acknowledging the role of art and entertainment in enriching the Muslim civilization in the past and present. Not only including discussions of Islamic Art and its role in the rise of Islamic civilization, the convention is hosting the Second Annual ISNA Film Festival, which is expected to run throughout the four days of the convention.

In addition, the First Open Islamic Art Exhibit will display creations of several gifted artist in various mediums including cartoon drawing, graffiti, painting, drawing, photography, computer art and of course calligraphy.

The four-day convention will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center , in Chicago , Illinois , and will be locally hosted by the Council of Islamic Organization of Greater Chicago, an umbrella organization representing over 400 thousand Muslims in Metropolitan Chicago.