Based on traffic to our website, ICNA IT compiled a list of the 10 most popular posts on ICNA.org. This list illustrates the interest of our visitors and presents quite a few surprises along the way. Take a look and tell us what you think in the comments section below. The posts are listed in order of increasing popularity.
ICNA-MAS Convention Enjoys a 15% Growth
10. ICNA-MAS Convention Enjoys a 15% Growth
A brief report on one of the most successful ICNA conventions. With almost 14,000 attendees in person and 4,000 online, this convention was also successful in launching several new initiatives like the online live sessions, career fair and sign language translation.
This was the second national campaign launched by ICNA after 2009’s Save Family, Save Society campaign. Over 50,000 people nationwide are estimated to have heard the Friday sermons on hunger, delivered based on guidelines provided by ICNA. This was not just another campaign against hunger, but one that dared to question: Why do over 49 million people in the wealthiest nation on earth go hungry every night despite all efforts by charities and government entities?
Quran Burning “Misguided”: ICNA Ups Quran Distribution
8. Quran Burning “Misguided”: ICNA Ups Quran Distribution
When a Church in Gainesville, FL announced plans to organize a Quran burning day, across the nation ICNA Southern California pledged to distribute 10,000 copies of the Quran in response—a gesture mentioned by a Christian leader in one of her sermons. After thousands of Qurans were driven from the Houston, TX chapter of ICNA to Florida, ICNA South Florida became the first and only Muslim organization to actually distribute free Qurans in Gainesville during the weekend of 9/11. Click here to go to the post.
ICNA-MAS Convention 2010, 29-31 May, Hartford, CT
7. ICNA-MAS Convention 2010, 29-31 May, Hartford, CT
This post offered information to convention-goers regarding the convention program, registration, accommodation etc. This year’s record attendance was a pleasant surprise during the flailing economy. Stay tuned for another great convention in 2011 as well.
Just when the media began reporting on connections between Al-Qaeda and American Islamic scholar Anwar Al-Awlaki, a member of ICNA’s Shariah Council, Imam Omar Ahmad Suleiman, wrote a detailed account on how Al-Awlaki’s views gradually turned extreme. This was the first major writing of its kind among the American Muslim community and stirred a significant debate within.
5. Ramadan Clash with 9/11 Anniversary Raises Fears
This was a repost of an article from the Guardian. The article described how Islamophobic attacks on the Muslim community created fear regarding ICNA’s Eid celebrations, which happened to fall near the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It also spoke about the rising hostility against the Muslim community.
Growing Anti Muslim Bigotry: ICNA’s 6-Point Response
4. Growing Anti Muslim Bigotry: ICNA’s 6-Point Response
Spurred by the Park51 project in New York, the sudden growth of Islamophobia across the nation created fear, anxiety and confusion among the American Muslim community. This prompted ICNA’s President Dr. Zahid Bukhari to write a 6-point response that provided clear and practical guidelines on handling and countering Islamophobia. The response exposed how anti-Muslim bigots incite violence and hostility and attempt to shatter harmony among people of different faiths in America. Click here to go to the post.
ICNA’s Position on Moon Sighting
3. ICNA’s Position on Moon Sighting
After almost 4 decades of guiding the American Muslim community on the dates of Eid, ICNA stopped taking a position on the issue in 2008 and issued a statement on its stance. This stance continues to be hotly debated within the community, a large portion of which still visits ICNA.org in hopes of finding the dates for Eid.
Three months before the November elections, Joe Kaufman, a well-known anti-Muslim bigot, spoke to Fox News to condemn ICNA’s traditional Eid celebration because it happened to fall close to the anniversary of 9/11. Thanks to an opportunity given by Fox, an ICNA spokesperson successfully exposed his Islamophobic attack, showing that he only sought to incite the American public with hatred and hostility against those who happen to be Muslim.
Finally, the most popular post of 2010 is actually a post that was visited during different events: the LIVE telecast of speeches by famous Muslim scholars. With well over 10,000 unique visitors to this section over the year, it proved to be the most popular feature of the website. This also means that the ICNA IT Department will be focusing on this unique service during 2011.
