Chicago – August 31, 2025
The 62nd ISNA Convention Chicago closed with a range of lectures and an entertainment program on Day 3 of the convention. The program started at 10 am with Bushra Amiwala as guest.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Main Session 12 | Hall A
Crucial Role of American Mosques: Shaping Tomorrow’s Legacy
Mosques in the U.S. stand as the powerhouse of American Muslims—dynamic centers that go beyond prayer, meeting spiritual, emotional, and social needs. As the world fractures under mounting crises, their roles must be reimagined—not just as places of worship, but as thriving hubs for education, healing, and transformative social impact.
Speakers: Petra Alsoofy, Sameer Hossain, Ihsan Bagby
Moderator: Rafia Nizam
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Main Session 13 | Hall A
Vision of Islamic Education for Future Generations
In this crossroad of mounting educational crises and increasing politicization, this session confronts a critical question: How can Islamic education move beyond mere information to become truly transformative and spiritually anchoring?
Speakers: Habeeb Quadri, James Jones, Tamara Gray, Safaa Zarzour
Moderator: Abir Catovic
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Parallel Sessions 14 | Room 12
14A Empowering Communities Through Civic Engagement
Muslim voters are a rising force—proven in 2020 and 2024, with over a million casting ballots in battlegrounds like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The possible election of New York’s first Muslim mayor signals unprecedented momentum. As midterms loom, the challenge is strategic: which issues will mobilize this electorate? How can past victories and setbacks shape future engagement? In a divided America, leading with faith and principle isn’t optional—it’s urgent. Stay informed. Shape politics at every level.
Speakers: Karina Villa (Illinois State Senator), Nabeela Syed (Illinois State Rep.), Bushra Amiwala (Youngest Elected Official)
Moderator: Azam Nizamuddin
14B Islamic Perspectives on Preventing Mental Illness | Room 14
Islamic perspectives on preventing mental illness and promotion of mental health emphasize a holistic approach that integrates faith, spirituality, and practical actions. Central to this is the concept of tawakkul, or placing trust in God while taking necessary actions, and dhikr, the remembrance of God, which provides solace and a sense of purpose. Furthermore, engaging in practices like prayer, Quran recitation, and seeking knowledge are seen as crucial for maintaining spiritual and mental well-being. Presentations will cover Spiritual and Psychological Foundations, Practices for Mental Wellness, Addressing Mental Illness.
Speakers: Sarfraz Khan, Urooj Yazdan, Abdul Aziz Syed
Moderator: Syed Imtiaz Ahmad
14C – Role of Imams in Nurturing Faith and Unity in Communities | Room 10
Imams play a critical role in the American Muslim community. From leading prayers to performing family counseling, Quranic education, youth programs, and with interfaith relations. This session will discuss imams’ diverse responsibilities and highlight their role in preventing social and mental health problems with spiritual guidance from the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) and Islamic Teachings.
Speakers: Shamsi Ali, Emran Gazi, Ahmed Alamine, Kifah Mustapha
Moderator: Mohammed Azhar Masood
14D Islamic Investing & Financial Planning: A Roadmap for Muslim Success in America | Room 25
(Sponsored by AMANA & others)
This presentation provides guidance for Muslims in America to achieve financial success while upholding Islamic values. It covers Shariah-compliant investment opportunities, effective wealth-building methods, and risk management. Participants will discover how to plan for their financial future in accordance with their faith and address unique challenges faced by Muslim investors in the U.S.
Speakers: Owaiz Dadabhoy, Fatima Iqbal, Hafeez Baig, Mohammad Wasif Hussain
Moderator: Hud Williams
2:00 PM | Duhr Prayer | Hall A
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Parallel Sessions 15
15A Initiating Environmental Sustainability for Muslim Communities with Tawakkul | Room 14
The dramatic extreme of this summer serves as a powerful wake-up call. The climate-related disasters are here, Muslim communities need to be prepared to deal with their effects. In this session, the ISNA Green Initiative will provide practical measures for home and masajid/Islamic centers that address these challenges.
15B ISNA General Assembly
The session provided insights into ISNA’s strategic direction, financial performance, and future priorities. Attendees engaged in dialogue to shape the organization’s planning.
HOST: ISNA Leadership
15C Leading with Trust: A Framework for Scaling Impact with Integrity (Workshop)
This workshop explored scaling Muslim-led organizations with integrity through a framework based on Qur’anic teachings. It shared tools and stories for ethical growth.
SPEAKERS: Awais Sheikh, Omar Azhar Allalib
15D The Rise of Muslim Colleges in America
The session discussed the emergence of Muslim colleges in the U.S., their challenges in accreditation, and the impact on American Muslim communities.
SPEAKERS: Adnan Aslan, Timothy Gianotti, Jihad Turk, Nancy Khalil
MODERATOR: Mahan Mirza
16A New Faces of Hate: Rising Islamophobia in the U.S.
The panel addressed the rising wave of Islamophobia in the U.S., its causes, and strategies to confront hate through research and community action.
SPEAKERS: Syed Zafar Mahmood, Sameer Hossain, Rev. Alvin Bibbs, Ahmadullah Siddiqi
MODERATOR: Faizan Haq
16B Telling the Muslim Story through Film: The Muslim Jesus
This session highlighted the power of films and media in shaping Muslim narratives, featuring a first look at the film Son of Mary: The Muslim Jesus.
SPEAKERS: Alex Kronemer, Jawaad Abdul Rahman, Michael Calabria
16C Understanding Zakat: Spreading Zakat Literacy Within Our Muslim Communities
A discussion on the misunderstandings surrounding Zakat, its calculation, and its implementation in the modern world.
SPEAKERS: Fahad Khan, Nur Abdullah, Mohammad Qatanani
MODERATOR: Rasheed Rabbi
16D Robotics: Preserving the Islamic Identity of American Muslim Youth through a World-Class STEM Education
This session inspired Muslim youth to excel in STEM fields while maintaining their Islamic identity, encouraging Islamic centers to foster both science and religious learning.
SPEAKERS: ITKAN Team
MAIN SESSION 17: Akhlaq in Action: Heaven, Heart, & Humanity
This session focused on developing Taqwa, purifying the heart, and embodying Akhlaq in action to serve humanity and bring light to the world.
SPEAKERS: Mufti Wasim Khan, Faraz Khan, Hadia Mubarak, Mufti Abdullah Waheed
MODERATOR: Aliya Omar
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Main Session 18 | Hall A
Message to Take Home
Positioned as the final session, this segment is designed to weave all the diverse threads into a unified vision—a clear and compelling roadmap forward. It welcomes us to gather with renewed focus, clarity, and determination. Together, we will forge common ground and a shared purpose, empowering each of us to move forward with confidence, unity, and unwavering resolve.
Speakers: Waleed Basyouni, Syed Imtiaz Ahmad, Muhammad Nur Abdullah, Safaa Zarzour
Moderator: Affan Badar
7:45 PM | Maghrib Prayer | Hall A
8:00 PM | Urdu Mushairah | Room 14
ISNA International Mushairah
- Faizan Haq – Convener
- Noor Amrohvi – Mehman e Khususi
- Khalid Irfan – Mehman e Khususi
- Sajid Rizvi – Sadr e Mushairah
- Amin Haider – Nazim and Organizer
9:00 PM | Isha Prayer | Hall A
8:15 PM – 10:30 PM | Entertainment | Hall A
Entertainment Program
Yahya Hawwa, Native Deen, Preacher Moss, Riyaaz Qawalli
Green Masjid Award Presentation
Green Masjid Awards:
1st – Islamic Society of Greater Lansing, MI
2nd – Masjid Aisha, MD
3rd – Islamic Center of Madison, WI
