DALLAS: The 61st annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America began at the hotel Anatole convention center in Dallas. As many as 20,000 community members are expected to participate in the convention.
ISNA is the largest representative organization of Muslims under which an annual convention is organized in different states of America every year.
This convention in Dallas is the first convention in ASNA’s 61-year history, and it is the largest gathering of Muslims in the United States in which apart from Muslims of America, people belonging to other religions, international leaders and high officials of the federal government participate.
The purpose of the convention is to discuss Islamic teachings, culture, and social issues and bring the community together on one platform. Seminars, workshops, and panel discussions on various topics including Islamic teachings, family values, social justice, and interfaith dialogues will be conducted in the convention.
The opening ceremony of the convention was organized after Friday prayers. About 40 elected officials and community leaders participated in the opening ceremony.
ISNA President Safa Zarzoor in his opening address said that the convention is the best platform for the believers of different religions of the society.
He said that this convention was not only a Muslim event but an American event and a perfect source of better representation for people belonging to different religions, their families, businessmen and voluntary organizations of the society. He said that religions play important role for dealing with challenges faced by the society and social change in the society.
Addressing press conference, first Muslim chaplain in US Army Saleha Jabeen, Mujeeb Qazi, Rafat Malik said that officials from the White House, federal and local level representatives will attend ISNA’s event.
Talking with Voice of South Asia, chairperson of ISNA convention Dallas Azhar Aziz said that the purpose of organizing this convention is to unite people belonging to different religions under the title of peace and well-being. He said that the problems being faced by the Muslims in North America and other countries including Palestine, Kashmir and Sudan will be highlighted and US authorities will be urged to resolve these issues.
He said that event will also feature a large-scale Islamic Bazar with more than five hundred stalls where participants can buy various Islamic books, artworks, garments and other cultural items.
Team Manager of the ISNA convention Tabbasum Ahmed told Voice of South Asia that the biggest thing about this convention is that this convention was being conducted first time in Dallas and by organizing this even in Dallas all those vendors who could not reach Chicago will now be able to benefit from this convention.
He said that sports and entertainment activities including singing and Qawwali programs will also be organized during the convention.
