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ISNA Convention in Chicago Over Weekend
By Ayub Khan
CHICAGO, Sept 3 (IslamOnline) - An estimated 30,000 Muslims from around United States and Canada gathered in Chicago over the Labor Day weekend for the 38th annual Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Convention.
The annual event, which has become a hallmark for the growing Muslim population in the United States, offered informative sessions on topics as varied and diverse as Islamic finance, halal food and politics. Apart from the sessions, the convention also serves the function of a meeting place for Muslims from various parts of the country. The bazaar in which everything from Islamic books, software to fresh dates was sold, was also a huge draw for participants.
The Convention, which started Friday afternoon at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, continued well into early Monday morning.
The main highlight of the Convention was the unveiling of the much awaited Eid stamp that commemorates Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul-Adha. The stamp is one in a series of stamps being released as part of the United States Postal Service's Holiday Celebration Stamp series, which began in 1996 with the release of the Hanukkah stamp. Speaking to the crowd, Sayid Muhammad Syeed, secretary general of ISNA said, "It is a symbol that Muslim Americans have officially claimed their rightful place in the United States."
"This small piece of paper announces to the world that Muslim Americans are fully and completely interwoven in the fabric of American society," he said.
Imam W. Deen Mohammed, leader of the Muslim American Society whose convention was also being held in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center, attended the stamp dedication ceremony. He said that people are used to seeing Christian and Jewish icons on stamps during their festivals.
"Now we'll be receiving letters with Islamic stamps and symbols," he said. "Thank God. Thank God.
"And thank God for this great country that welcomes people to come here and establish the life they want under God."
Muslim American Society Convention's attendees watched the ceremony via closed circuit television.
In an evening session, former Turkish prime minister Necmettin Erbakan was presented with the "Service to Humanity" award. Merve Kavakci, barred from the Turkish Parliament for wearing the hijab (head covedring) introduced Erbakan. Imam Hamza Yusuf praised Erbakan and Turkish parliamentarian Kavakci for their courage in standing up against tyranny in that country.
In the same session, the election of the ISNA new president was announced. ISNA's constitution stipulates that a president cannot serve more than two terms. Imam Boor Abdullah, from St. Louis, Missouri, will now succeed Muzammil Siddiqui, who completed two eventful terms.
The session also featured the introduction of ISNA's anthem by prominent Muslim entertainer Mustaqeem Sahir entitled, "Come and Join the family of ISNA. Come and serve the cause of Allah."
At Sunday's main session, former Illinois congressman Paul Findley criticized U.S. President George W. Bush for a pro-Israeli bias despite the decisive support of Muslim voters in the last election. He read out an open letter to Bush in which he wrote that the two million Muslim voters who helped elect him are feeling "deep-seated disappointment, even outrage" towards his political stance.
"They believe you have concluded that the Israelis, not the Palestinians, are the victims,'' the letter said. "Muslims now feel shunned by your administration and betrayed by your Middle East policies.''
He urged Muslims to become actively involved in politics. He said it is equally important to invest in building mosques and schools.
Fundraisers were also held at the convention to collect money for ISNA as well the legal defense of Imam Jamil Al Amin, a prominent American Muslim imam facing murder charges with highly controversial evidence against him.
Next year's convention will be held in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
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