Blog

Imam Siraj Wahhaj is back

On Saturday evening, Imam Siraj Wahhaj made an emotional return to the podium at ISNA after his recent illness - there was a genuine outpouring of emotions from the packed hall that gave him several standing ovations.

Yusuf Islam was back and this was a great moment as well. It was quite an evening session - it included an address by the prominent evangelical, Pastor Rick Warren.

However, the late start took away something from the session.
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American Muslims growing politically confident

American Muslims are growing more confident politically and are proud of their recently elected congressmen, Keith Ellison and Andre Carson.

This was the sense that is coming across at this convention and last evening's session at the convention, 'Stand Up and Be Heard' in which both congressmen spoke passionately about Muslim community involvement in the American political process.

Imam Abdul Malik is arranging a mass outdoor Friday prayers in September on Capitol Hill. Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

ISNA Opens

Dr Ingrid Mattson, President of ISNA, welcomed convention participants in the opening session this morning that included a message from a representative of the White House.

Imam Mohamed Magid Ali, the Vice President of ISNA, delivered the Friday Khutba on the convention theme, 'Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness'

The bazaar is heating up and attendees are still trying to figure out their way around the convention centre and to and from their hotels.

I ran into Peter Gould, the young Australian designer and artist who was the winner of the poster competition for this year's convention - I plan to meet up with him later.

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IQRA Blogging from ISNA This Weekend

The 46th Annual ISNA Convention is set to begin in the US capital this weekend.

The theme of this year's gathering is 'Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.'

IQRA will be blogging from this year's convention - check for regular updates at the Editor' Blog http://iqra.typepad.com/tmp/

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