On Saturday, September 29, 2012 the national office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold its 18th annual banquet in Arlington, Va. The event is expected to draw some 800 attendees from the D.C. metro area and surrounding states.

During the day, CAIR is hosting its third annual leadership training conference, in which top trainers in their fields will teach critical skills training sessions. Workshops will focus on community emergency preparedness, maximizing the Muslim vote in the 2012 elections, and successful coalition building.

Because of the coordinated campaign in the past two years to introduce anti-Islam laws in states across the country, the organization is also offering sessions on how to answer tough questions about Sharia and strategies for challenging these anti-Islam laws.

“Our community is blessed to have organizations that can represent us on important issues, but it’s critical that individual Muslims get involved as well,” said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. “That’s why we offer the leadership skills conference – to help give local activists the tools they need for effective advocacy.”

The theme of the day will be "Upholding Our Constitution, Defending Our Faith." The evening banquet will feature civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton as the keynote speaker, along with Imam Siraj Wahhaj. Congressman Dennis Kucinich will receive a lifetime achievement award for his longstanding support for the rights of American Muslims. Kucinich is planning to retire after completing his eighth term this year. Azhar Usman, the Muslim comedian best-known as a member of the “Allah Made Me Funny” comedy tour, is scheduled to perform.

Tickets for both events are required in advance. For details or to register, go to cair.com/banquet. CAIR will waive the registration feel for those willing to volunteer before and during the events.

It appears that the Dark Ages are not as dark as the name implies.

On Friday, August 3, the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. welcomed an exciting, world-renowned exhibit called, “1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization.” The exhibit showcases often overlooked inventions that had been created during a period in which it is commonly believed that almost nothing was conceived at all. These innovations added greatly to modern technology in fields such as energy efficiency and timekeeping.

Fairfax area residents looking for a prayer location are in luck this Ramadan. The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) announced the opening of a brand new masjid location, the ADAMS Sully Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The new center, located within walking distance from the Capital Expo Center, opened for Jumuah prayers for the first time on Friday, July 13, according to an ADAMS press release from earlier this month. Three regular Jumuah prayers will be held each Friday: one at 11:45 a.m., one at 12:45 p.m. and one at 1:45 p.m.

In the blazing summer heat of Sunday July 31st, around 450-500 people flocked to Borher Park to attend the Ramadan fundraiser for the Islamic Center of Maryland. ICM is planning to build an ambitious and large new community center, and the $76,000 raised at the event will go towards its development.