The 49th annual Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and Muslim American Society (MAS) convention was held at the Baltimore Convention Center from May 25–27, 2024. was presented under the theme of “Unshakeable Faith: Trusting the will of Allah”.
The event theme was “Unshakable Faith: Trusting the Will of God” and focused on family, faith, and the future. It included workshops, activities, and over 100 breakout sessions. The convention also featured a special youth conference. I represented MANA and conducted two sessions titled:
- Islam From African Slaves To Malcolm X
- Legacy Of Islam In America
The estimated 30,000 attendees learned from Islamic scholars and experts in various disciplines, including religion, economics, finance, social work, child psychology, mental health, law, and education.
The emphasis on the history and legacy of Islam in this country was welcomed. For many of us, the role of the African-American community in establishing Islam in this country has been neglected by those who have come afterward. Allowing the story to be told via the two presented sessions is one step towards correcting the neglect seen by attending many past conferences.
Together, these organizations have been reaching out to the African-American community for many years, and it’s not due to tokenism but as an effort to form alliances that are not based on cultural or racial affiliation. Many of the speakers at the conference elucidated this point to show that we consist of One Ummah One community.
During the sessions I facilitated, I emphasized the importance of Islam being part of the American story and as old as the country itself. For example:
Mansa Musa the 9th Mansa of the Empire of Mali. He stayed in Cairo for three months in 1324 while en route to Mecca for the hajj. He recounted this to a man that he befriended in Egypt:
Mansa Musa’s predecessor equipped 200 ships filled with men and the same number equipped with gold, water, and provisions enough to last them for years, and said to the man deputed to lead them:
“Do not return until you reach the end of it or your provisions and water give out.”
This is one of the earliest accounts of Muslims coming to the Americas, and this journey pre-dates slavery by two centuries. The point is that Islam has always been a part of this country, and we cannot allow others to denigrate or minimize our role in the establishment of this country.
Islam was a vital source of strength for formerly enslaved and immigrants from the Middle East. Each group of people made an effort to establish Islam in this country. These points were emphasized during the sessions.
Special attention was given to the groups and movements that contributed to the growth of Islam in this country, such as:
- Darul Islam Movement
- Islamic Circle Of North America
- Islamic Society Of North America
- Muslim Student Associations
- Tablighi Jamaat
- World Community Of Islam In The West (Formerly The Nation Of Islam).
May Allah ( May He be praised and exalted) Allow the bonds of unity to grow between these groups and allow Islam to flourish throughout the land.
Imam Nadim is MANA's Board Secretary and has been actively engaged in MANA's work and mission for many years. He is also the Imam of The Community Masjid in Atlanta, Ga.
Nadim is a licensed therapist and consultant based in Atlanta, GA, who offers counseling services such as Stress Management, Pre-Marital Counseling, Couples Counseling, and Tai Chi sessions. He also educates individuals on substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis prevention, and has experience working with both adolescents and adults.
With a background in Communications from Shippensburg State University and a Master's degree in counseling psychology from the Georgia School for Professional Psychology, Mr. Ali has been active in the human services field since 1977. He is passionate about helping individuals and couples overcome psychological and spiritual obstacles that impact their well-being.
Mr. Ali has presented at conferences in the U.S. and the Middle East on topics including Substance Abuse, domestic violence, and conflict resolution. He incorporates alternative methods like Tai Chi to address addiction, stress, and anger management.
Specializing in identifying destructive patterns in relationships, assisting adolescents through challenging life stages, and helping individuals overcome anger issues, Mr. Ali also focuses on relapse prevention for those in recovery.
