There Is No "Conversion" In Islam was the message of speakers such as Sheikh Mukhtar Muhgraoui and Sheikh Yasir Qadhi at the 2nd ICNA-MAS South Central Regional Conference. Memorial Day Weekend is considered the most traveled of the year. This past Sunday hundreds of families gathered at the University Center at the University of Houston. Both the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS) are leading national Muslim grassroots level organizations.
Attendees had come from New York, Virginia, Baton Rouge, Austin, Dallas, College Station, San Antonio and of course Houston itself. They went back home charged-up having received many practical guidance which would help to take the Message of Islam to the masses.
This years theme was based on the Qur'anic verse: “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” – 16:125
Other than speeches and an extensive bazaar with various Muslim vendors, the conference also featured the world's largest Qur'an. A science exhibition featuring Harun Yahya's works included actual fossils found across the globe, and explored the existence of one Lord while refuting the Theory of Evolution.
Some of the topics that were presented included: “What makes Islam the fastest growing religion in the World”, “Way of your Lord”, “Judiciousness in Dawah”, “Islam: Role of Masajid in Dawah”; “Best Resources are right within us”; “Milestones in giving Dawah from Prophetic Methodology”; “Lets’ not forget our limits”; “Youth: Their Role in the past & Present of Islam”; “Dawah: Do’s Don’ts”; “Exclusive Session for Sisters” and others.
The program started with recitation of Qur'an by Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Former President of ICNA. Then the current President of ICNA Dr. Khurshid Khan welcomed the attendees of the conference and introduced the work of ICNA.
Throughout the day, the attendees were reminded of this duty as given in the Qur'an: “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.” – (3:104)
During these days when Islam is much in focus, the behavior of each Muslim is considered representative of Islam. As such there is need for each Muslim to have basic knowledge of Islam in order to practice it properly and become a true ambassador of his/her faith.
It was stressed that nobody converts to Islam: All humans were once spirits and indeed before coming to this life in the form of flesh, they had taken a covenant with Allah SWT of submitting to His Will: But when they came to this world, they forgot that pledge and the job of Muslims is just to remind humanity of that promise. The job of a Muslim is not to convert anyone to Islam rather it is to recall them back to their Lord. The Idea is to convey the message and the rest is between that person and Allah SWT. It is only Allah SWT, who based on the sincere desire of a person, changes his or her heart.
Many prominent speakers spoke at the event: Dr. Khurshid Khan, Sheikh Abdool Rahman Khan, Naeem Baig, Sheikh Mukhtar Muhgraoui, Sheikh Yasir Kazi, Sheikh Khalid Griggs, Sheikh Moustafa Mahmoud, Sheikh Zoubir Bouchikhi, Dr. Hamed Ghazali, Dr. Muhammas Yunus, Sheikh Rodwan Saleh, Sister Jameela Yusuf, Sabeel Ahmad, Omar Suleiman, Alejandro Hamid, Samid AL-Khateeb and Yahya Gant.
For more information about ICNA activities, please call 1-866-323-1063 or visit www.icna.org
