It has been 19 years since the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA) held a national conference. Alhamdulillah, we are happy to announce that we are bringing it back!
From June 18–20, 2027, Muslims from across the country will gather at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. During Juneteenth weekend, we will come together in person to strengthen the connections among our communities and explore what we can accomplish through greater collaboration.
MANA held its inaugural national conference in 2007, followed by a second gathering in 2008. The 2027 conference will commemorate 20 years since that first historic gathering. We are not simply picking up where we left off. We are building upon the important work already taking place throughout our communities and creating new opportunities to connect that work.
For Imam Salahuddin, this is a moment to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us while accepting responsibility for the future:
“This is an important moment for African American Muslims because we have a rich history, but we also have a responsibility to prepare for the future. Those who came before us sacrificed greatly to establish Islam and build strong communities in this country. Now we must strengthen what they built, reconnect with one another, and prepare a new generation of leadership.
This conference gives us an opportunity to come together as one national community—to renew our faith, strengthen our relationships, share our resources, and recommit ourselves to the work ahead. For me, this gathering is about honoring our past, strengthening our present, and preparing our children and grandchildren for a stronger Islamic future, insha’Allah.”
Why Atlanta?
Atlanta has a rich history of African American culture, leadership, faith, and community organizing. It is also home to active African American Muslim communities and institutions that have served generations of families.
The Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam is one of those institutions. Under the leadership of Imam Sulaimaan Hamed, it continues to serve a large and vibrant congregation. The city is also home to the Community Masjid, Masjid Al-Mu’minun, Masjid At-Taqwa, Masjid Sidq wa-Ikhlas, and many other Muslim communities that contribute to the life of the region.
For MANA Vice President, Akanke Rasheed, bringing the conference to Atlanta has special meaning:
“Atlanta is more than the host city for me—it is home ground. It is my hometown, I’m a ‘Grady baby’. If you know, you know! The Atlanta Masjid is where I took my shahada in 1994. I have lived in many places since then, but there is simply no place like Atlanta. The Muslim community has a richness, vibrancy, and rhythm all its own. I am super excited to return, and all of us at MANA look forward to working our brothers and sisters in Atlanta to create a truly memorable conference.”
What Can You Expect?
We are developing a program that will give people opportunities to learn from one another and participate in meaningful conversations. The conference will feature dynamic keynote speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, educational workshops, audience participation, and time for questions and dialogue.
We do not want people to spend the entire weekend sitting and listening. We want attendees to meet one another, exchange ideas, build relationships, and discover new ways to work together.
There will also be activities for families and opportunities for young adults and elders to connect. We are planning matchmaking opportunities, a premium bazaar featuring vendors and businesses, and a conference banquet where we can enjoy one another’s company and celebrate our community.
MANA Board Member Imam Saffet Catovic, Director of United Nations Operations for Justice For All, describes the conference as both a homecoming and a renewed call to purpose:
“After 19 years, the MANA Conference is not only long overdue; it is a powerful homecoming and a renewed call to purpose. It is an opportunity to honor the rich legacy of African American Muslims, uplift our communities, and strengthen the bonds that unite us across generations and throughout the diverse global Muslim ummah—here in America and abroad.
This gathering will allow us to reflect on the challenges we face, celebrate our achievements, deepen our understanding of MANA’s meaningful, data-driven work, and build the relationships and collective strength needed to move our community forward. African American Muslim contributions to Islam and America are deep, enduring, and foundational. May this conference honor that legacy while inspiring us to build an even stronger future together. I look forward to seeing everyone there, insha’Allah.”
Building on What We Already Have
A great deal of good work is happening throughout our communities, yet much of that work remains disconnected. Too often, people addressing similar challenges do not know one another or have opportunities to share what they have learned. This conference is an opportunity to change that.
It is also an opportunity to support a new generation of community leadership. As Imam Nadeem Ali explains:
“I believe this conference is an opportunity to encourage the current generation to take up the mantle of leadership in their communities. It also recognizes the work that has already been done and provides a foundation upon which we can continue to build. We want elders to share their wisdom with younger generations. We want emerging leaders to connect with people who have been doing this work for years. We want families to build relationships and organizations to discover opportunities to share resources and strengthen one another’s efforts.”
We will celebrate the richness of the African American Muslim experience and the values that have sustained our communities: faith, family, community, and legacy. We will remember those who helped bring us to this point, recognize those doing the work today, and consider what we can build for those who will come after us.
Our hope is that people leave Atlanta with more than good memories. We hope they leave with new relationships, useful ideas, and a stronger sense of what we can accomplish together.
Save the Date
We are still developing the conference theme and finalizing the program. In the coming months, we will share more information about speakers, workshops, registration, sponsorships, vendors, and opportunities to get involved.
For now, we invite you to save June 18–20, 2027, and begin making plans to join us in Atlanta. Twenty years after our first conference, MANA is excited to see old friends, meet new ones, and work together to strengthen our communities.
Stay tuned to our upcoming newsletters and visit manajustice.org for conference news and announcements. Below are photos of the conference venue.
Joshua Salaam has strong roots in the American Muslim community. He started attending national Muslim youth camps at the age of 12 and continued as a participant, counselor and speaker for over 30 years. Joshua entered the U.S. Air Force in 1995 and served as a Police officer for four years. He was a key contributor in establishing Friday prayer services on base for Muslim military members and went on to serve as an Imam in Goldsboro, NC for several years. After the military, Joshua immersed himself in community activism. He managed the Civil Rights department for the Council on American-Islamic Relations from 2000-2004 and helped oversee a Baltimore Muslim community and neighborhood development project from 2004-2007. Before starting at Duke in July 2018, Joshua worked with youth and families for 11 years at one of the largest Muslim communities in America. His diverse background gives him a unique perspective on many issues and helps him connect with students. He holds a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies and a Doctorate of Ministry from Hartford Seminary. He is the current President of MANA’s Board of Directors.
