ISNA CANADA CONVENTION
My Prophet, My Beloved BY AISHA RAKIE, ZAYNAB AHDAB, ARSHIA LAKHANI AND SANAA ALI MOHAMMED
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he 41st annual ISNA Canada Convention held May 15-17 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, offered Muslims a chance to connect as a community and learn, grow, and love together. The convention theme, “My Prophet, My Beloved: Know him, Love him, Follow him,” aimed to help Muslims realign their hearts with Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his teachings, rooted in justice, mercy, kindness, and above all the love of God and His Messenger. The weekend included inspirational lectures, networking sessions, workshops, a bazaar, food, and a children’s convention. Two guest khatibs, ISNA President Azhar Azeez and IQRA International Educational Foundation’s CEO Safaa Zarzour, emphasized knowing the Prophet’s purpose in God’s plan for creation, and on emulating his worship. Calligraphic artwork created by local artist Seher Shahzad greeted attendees in the main hall. ISNA Canada President Syed Imtiaz Ahmed delivered the opening address and Executive Director Shaykh Abdalla Idris Ali spoke on Muslims’ duty toward the Prophet. ISNA Vice President Altaf Husain drew attention to the racism common within many North American Muslim communities, which contradicts the prophetic example and requires some soul searching. To help counteract the misogyny common in mainstream popular culture and many Muslim households, Musleh Khan, imam at the Sakinah Community Center, discussed the Prophet as a reformer of masculinities and attitudes toward women. Amjad Tarsin, University of Toronto’s first full-time Muslim chaplain, and Altaf Husain conducted a joint session on the sunnah of empathy, emphasizing the importance of extending support and understanding toward neighbours, family members, friends, and fellow citizens. Daood Butt, a graduate student at the International Islamic University in Malaysia, and a graduate of the Islamic University of Madinah, provided practical examples of expressing love for the Prophet and following in the footsteps of the Tabi’in — the second generation of the carriers of Islam who were the students of the Prophet’s Companions. He gave an emotional reminder about the Prophet’s last sermon and the necessity of being conscientious of the message contained within it. ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2015
Imam Hamid Slimi, imam, resident scholar and founder of Sayeda Khadija Centre, focused on how personal hygiene and health are integral to the faith, as exemplified by the Prophet. Ingrid Mattson, the London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College and a former ISNA president, spoke about the sunnah of solidarity and the amanah of speaking out against and righting injustices done to others around us, while Zarzour talked about the Prophetic tradition of hope and expecting the best from God. Tarsin’s reminder and presentation of the Messenger as a mercy to the worlds concluded the reflections on the Prophet’s life and renewed the level of love and connection to him. Closing ceremony remarks were given by convention Vice Chair Chihab Kaab, ISNA Canada board member Pervez Nasim, Abdalla Idris Ali, Alaa Elsayed, director of internal and external affairs for Mercy Mission World and director of religious affairs at ISNA Canada, AbdulAziz Rasoul, principal of ISNA High School, Imam Hosam Helal of the Muslim Association of Hamilton, Butt and Tarsin. Speakers and attendees recognized the 250 volunteers who made the event possible. Everyone joined in singing “Tala’ ‘Al Badru ‘Alayna” as they honored Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam). The ceremony ended with fireworks and prayers. This year’s convention offered American Sign Language interpretation, designated seating areas and full access to wheelchairbound attendees, and attendant care upon request. As part of ISNA Canada’s dedication to sustainability, a tree was planted in honor of every attendee and the event was kept free of water bottles. The program booklet was reduced by half and was printed on recycled paper. This year also featured a complete children’s convention offering a variety of educational activities and games for children from birth to 10 years old. Children were placed in tribes with Meccan or Medinan origins, given the opportunity to explore Mecca and Medina Hajj rooms, and partook in storytelling sessions and a carnival. Daily parallel sessions consisted of youth Q&A, open spaces, and a Muslim Cool workshop by Ahmed Saleh. ISNA Canada Compass also hosted practical and beneficial sessions, including a well received entrepreneurship networking session. Abdalla Idris Ali and Muhammad Robert Heft, founder of the P4E Support Group, Inc., presented a workshop on effective dawah. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with speakers and seek counsel and advice from them in a quiet space. The Islamic Trivia Challenge, a new addition to the convention program and modeled after the popular game show “Jeopardy!,” appealed to all. There was a trivia session scheduled for each day of the convention, with the final round pitting teams of sisters and brothers against one another, and the sisters’ team taking home the prize.
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Aisha Rakie (ISNA Elementary School), Zaynab Ahdab (Islamic Teacher Education Program), Arshia Lakhani (internal outreach coordinator at Sexual Assault Survivors’ Support Line & Leadership) and Sanaa Ali Mohammed (ISNA Compass).
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