More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the 53rd annual conference of the Islamic Society of North America in Chicagoland during the Labor Day weekend at the Donald E Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
According to ISNA President Azhar Azeez, the Sept. 2-5 conference aptly named “Turning Points, Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities” is an opportunity for Muslims across the world to unite on one platform to empower and mobilize the Islamic community as they take on the many challenges and opportunities which they face in today’s political and social climate.
The conference is expected to have a record-breaking attendance with high level dignitaries and speakers from across the world, including, Turkish dignitaries, French speaker Tariq Ramadan, former South African Ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool, members of U.S. cabinet and Congress, Chicago area leaders, including the archbishop, and the Khan family who recently captured national attention with their comments at the Democratic National Convention.
“ISNA is in its 53rd year and we are coming to this important city of Chicago, to celebrate our accomplishments and face our challenges.
More than 250 speakers and 2,000 chapters of Muslim student associations will be managing the program and events at this convention.
We are the only Muslim organization fortunate to receive a yearly message from President Barack Obama and attendance by members of the cabinet.,” said Azar Azeez, ISNA president.
“In addition to catering to the spiritual needs of our communities, this conference also celebrates our partnerships with other faiths, Hindus, Buddhists, Baha’i, Jains and Sikhs and Christians,” he said.
The conference offers an wide spectrum of activities to engage youth, women and elderly from perspectives on interfaith and civic engagement, art exhibits, film festival, health fair, 7th annual community service recognition luncheon with keynote speaker Ambassador Rasool, matrimonial services, a Muslim kids TV and live show and a huge bazaar with more than 500 vendors.
“It’s one of the largest gathering of Muslims in North American. If there is one word which describes this conference it is “diversity” in terms of backgrounds, religious outlooks, income, age and programming, from politics and activism to spirituality networking workshops and skill development to marriage. We have it all,” Azeez said.
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