Warmer weather usually signifies the beginning of Spring. The first bloom, however, also marks a countdown to one of the largest Muslim gatherings in the United States, the Islamic Circle of North America - Muslim American Society (ICNA-MAS) Convention. For the second consecutive year, the annual ICNA-MAS Convention will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center, in shaa Allah.
The theme and goal this year is to revive the love of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) in the hearts of everyone by educating Americans on the message Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam brought to society.
On Friday, April 17, 2015, ICNA hosted a dinner at Lal Qila restaurant in Baltimore where leaders from masajid and Islamic organizations across the state of Maryland were present. Representatives from the Islamic Society of Annapolis, Islamic Society of Baltimore, Masjid Muminunn, Masjid Us Salaam, Muslimat Al Nissa, Dar al Taqwa, Mariyum Islamic Center, Dar-us-Salaam, the Islamic Community Center of Laurel and the Islamic Community Center of Potomac attended. The topic of the evening was the convention theme and ideas on promoting the convention to area Muslim communities.
Shaykh Yaseen Shaikh, the Resident Scholar of the Islamic Society of Baltimore, opened the evening with beautiful recitation from the Qur'an recitation from Surah Asr. setting the tone for Dr. Mohsin Ansari, Chairman of ICNA Relief, to talk about the history of the ICNA Convention and it's growth over the years from 2,500 attendees in its inaugural year to over 20,000 attendees last year. Dr. Maqbool Patel of the Islamic Society of Baltimore joined him in stressing the importance of marketing and mobilizing communities to attend the convention.
Brother Safi Khan, Imam of the Dar-us-Salaam community in College Park, Maryland, spoke next about the theme of the conference and discussed how important it was to love the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam). In order to do that though, he stated that it was necessary to learn about the life and character of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam).
The last speaker of the evening, ICNA amir Naeem Baig, addressed ICNA's goals for the year. Brother Naeem stressed that now, more than ever, addressing the community at large regarding the true message of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) is critical. This blessed gathering of scholars and individuals dedicating their lives to taking care of and preserving Islam in their communities was a momentous start to an exciting countdown. It truly is ICNA season!
ICNA Community Leadership Dinners are happening throughout the area. Email aroojsultan@gmail.com for more information. Source: ICNA