CHICAGO: With likely attendance of about 15,000 members and guests from across USA and some from outside the country, the three-day 53rd Annual Convention in Chicago by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) will be one of the biggest of its type here.
The theme of the Convention that is slated to open on September 2 and run thru September 5 this year will be Turning Points: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities. ISNA’s Annual Convention usually is the largest gathering of Muslims in North America and this year will be no exception, according to organizers.
ISNA is widely regarded as the most significant convener of Muslims in North America. Last year, its Convention drew tens of thousands of attendees.One of the main public attractions is the annual bazaar which features over 500 vendors including clothing designers, booksellers, non-profits and much more.
Addressing a well attended media meet on Devon Avenue in Chicago, Azhar Azeez, ISNA President, said that ISNA is the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organization in North America. It seeks to foster the development of the community through convention, conference, education forums, interfaith activities, youth programs, civic engagement and other avenues. ISNA’s annual convention isn’t merely about bringing together the Muslim community.
“In the face of issues like Islamophobia, our goal is also to unite people across different faiths and backgrounds in the spirit of peace and better understanding.
ISNA has invited a rich list of speakers, scholars, community leaders, and public servants. We live in challenging times. By showcasing a diverse array of voices, stories and viewpoints, we hope to continue shaping a new narrative around what it means to be a mainstream Muslim today,” he said.
Highlighting the program at the 53rd Convention, Mir Khan, Convention Steering Committee Co-Chair, observed that the Convention will have plenary sessions, main sessions, parallel sessions, table discussion, health fair, young professionals sessions, around 200 renowned speakers, inspiring and leadership lectures, art exhibit, meet the author, largest bazaar in America with 550 booths, interfaith reception, entertainment, film festival, fashion show for ladies, young professionals banquet, photography exhibit, qira’at competition, matrimonial banquets, community service recognition luncheon, children’s program, babysitting, basketball tournament and more.
There will be many featured speakers at this year’s Convention, such as Dr. Tariq Ramadan, Sh. Hamza Yusuf and Muslema Purmul as well as community leaders such as Dalia Mogahed, Linda Sarsour, Mehdi Hassan, he added.
Ashfaq Syed, Convention Steering Committee Secretary, said that the three-day convention will unite both Muslim and interfaith individuals, families, businesses and non-profit organizations for a full schedule of lectures, discussions, debates and entertainment.
“ISNA will have over 20,000 plus guest attending the 53rd ISNA Convention during the long Labor Day Weekend from September 2-5 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 9291 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL. This convention will have attendees from across the globe and there are more than 200 volunteers working hard since three months to make this convention successful,” he said
Salman Azam, ISNA Convention Media Relations Chair, invited media to cover the Convention. Local, national and international media have been invited to cover the Convention during the three days.
Faryal M Khatri, ISNA Communications Director, thanked all media houses for attending the press conference. She encourages all to follow the conversations and discussions of the Convention on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat using #ISNA53.
ISNA has its roots with the Muslim Student Association (MSA) from 1963 and ISNA was incorporated in 1981.Its headquarters is located in Plainfield, IN. ISNA has a wide variety of services and programs including education forums for Islamic schools, webinars, regional conferences, youth development, community resources, scholarships, mosque development, chaplaincy endorsement, matrimonial services, community outreach and interfaith programs.
For more information and registration, visit www.isna.netOr Contact: Faryal Khatri, ISNA Communications Department, (317) 373 – 0246, fkhatri@isna.netSalman Azam, ISNA Media Relations Chair, (773) 354 – 3123, Salman.Azam@gmail.com
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
