MANA made its presence felt at this year’s MAS-ICNA Convention, delivering a series of powerful sessions that resonated deeply with attendees. With no fewer than 200 people in each session, our track became one of the most well-attended parallel sessions at the convention—an undeniable testament to the need for spaces where the African American Muslim experience is centered and celebrated.
The day was structured around four key sessions:
- “The African American Muslim Experience: Reflecting on Our Legacy and Confronting Our Challenges” – Sheikha Ieasha Prime and Shaykh Ubaydallah Evans explored the historical and contemporary realities facing our community.
- “Searching for Sakinah: Finding Allah’s Love & Tranquility Within African-American Muslim Marriages” – Shaykh Muhammad Mendes and Angelica Lindsey Ali (The Village Auntie) provided profound insights into building stronger marriages rooted in faith.
- “Stepping Forward and Reaching Back: Young African American Adults Claiming Their Place” – Brother Tariq Touré and Sister Nandee Shabazz engaged young adults in discussions about leadership, purpose, and community impact.
- “Divine Resilience: The Relentless Heart of African American Muslims” – Imam Amin Muhammad and Ustadha Nuriddeen Knight reflected on the enduring faith and perseverance of our community.
Beyond the sessions, the atmosphere was electric with conversation and connection. Many attendees stayed in the room during breaks, networking and discussing the topics covered. It was clear that these sessions provided more than just information—they cultivated a space of belonging and shared purpose.
As a father, one of my proudest moments was seeing my 24-year-old son deeply engaged, not wanting to leave because he found the sessions relevant and inspiring. It reaffirmed that MANA is not just organizing events, we are building something that speaks directly to the next generation.
At one point, I asked all young adults between the ages of 18-35 to stand, and about 30% of the audience rose to their feet. From my Doctor of Ministry Studies on community engagement, I know that this is a powerful indicator. Having such a strong presence of young adults at an all-day conference is a promising sign for our future.
A truly historic moment came when Imam Siraj Wahhaj, MANA’s first president, made a guest appearance to close out the program. Having grown up listening to his talks at MYNA camps and later hearing him call Native Deen his favorite Muslim band, it was surreal to now stand as the President of MANA—an organization founded by leaders like Imam Siraj and Imam Zaid Shakir. To symbolize this transition, Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, our MC, orchestrated a passing of the baton—with Imam Siraj physically handing me a baton, as if to say, “It’s your turn to run the race for MANA.”
I barely had time to stretch—but the race must go on.
This event would not have been possible without the incredible partnership of MAS (Muslim American Society). Their willingness to work with us, initiated by an African American member of their Board of Directors, led to the formation of a dedicated committee that ensured the success of this effort. The committee included Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Aadil Muhammad from the Mosque Cares Ministry of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, Nandee Shabazz, a young adult leader within MAS, Vincent Ware, an African American regional board member of MAS, as well as myself and MANA’s Vice President, Akanke Rasheed.
The MANA Track was opened by a well-known local Imam from the community of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, Imam Tariq El-Amin, who welcomed the attendees and speakers to his city of Chicago. His community continues the legacy of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, doing the work that opens doors for all Muslims to flourish. This was a powerful and fitting start to a day that reflected that very mission.
A special recognition must go to Akanke Rasheed, MANA’s Vice President, whose leadership and commitment to excellence pulled the entire committee over the finish line. Additionally, Ndidi Okakpu, a MANA Board Member from the Chicago Warith Deen Muhammad community, played a crucial role in bridging any communication gaps between MAS, MANA, and the local Muslim community. Her unparalleled network and professionalism ensured that we had access to everything we needed—photographers, event planners, business owners, and more.
This partnership was truly a beautiful coming together of multiple communities working toward a shared vision. While there were a few logistical challenges since this was MANA’s first time partnering with MAS at such a major convention, we are confident that next year will be even better. We also received overwhelmingly positive feedback—not only from African American Muslims but from people of diverse backgrounds who found the discussions deeply beneficial. Many attendees expressed a desire for more people to experience the MANA track, which only strengthens our resolve to expand this effort.
This was just the beginning. With your support, we will continue this work—creating spaces for dialogue, growth, and connection.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Support MANA today: (https://manajustice.org/donations/supportmana/)
