Report On The 39th Annual Riyaadah

Al-Ummah, or The National Jamaat, convened the 39th annual Riyaadah, which was hosted in Philadelphia by Masjid Mujahideen. This year’s Riyaadah was held from August 9th to 11th on the University City Campus of St. Joseph’s University. The Riyaadah is an annual event facilitated by various communities aligned with AL-Ummah (The National Jamaat). 

The Riyaadah was first convened in 1969. The first organized basketball competition between Muslim communities from different cities was held at Pratt University in Brooklyn, New York. 

Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia communities challenged each other to determine which city was best in basketball. The competition was called the Dar-ul-Islam Olympic Games.  

In the years following the inaugural Dar-ul-Islam Olympic Games, the competition was expanded to include an assortment of various track and field events, martial arts, archery, and more.  

In addition to athletic competitions, vendors, lectures, Qur’anic competitions, and events and activities for sisters were added.

 Islamic centers and masjids from cities all over the United States (including Toronto, Canada) have collaborated and competed in a healthy athletic and Qur’anic competition under the banner of Islam.  The Dar-ul-Islam Movement and Dar-ul-Islam Olympic Games lasted until 1982.

After the discontinuance of the Dar in 1982, communities formerly affiliated with the Dar, as well as other communities who joined the effort, later saw the need for centralized leadership and the development of a viable national jamaat (community).

AL-Ummah, or the National Community, was formed then, and the Dar-ul-Islam Olympic Games was renamed The Riyaadah (Sport in Arabic).

The Riyaadah is an opportunity for Muslims to fellowship and benefit from Indigenous scholarship and of course, as the name implies, compete in various sporting events for males and females, such as:

• Fitness Competition
• Archery
• Track and field events
• Volleyball
• Basketball competitions
• Children’s Activities.
• Vending Opportunities
• Food Court.

This year, the Riyaadah commenced with a jumuah facilitated by gues khatib Amir Kwame Thomas of the Community Masjid of Atlanta.

In the evening, an event titled The Big Sit Down, a halal marriage forum, provided an opportunity for brothers and sisters who are interested in marriage to meet in a forum to assess their readiness for marriage.

Brother Abdur-Rahim Al-Asmaraniyy facilitated an evening forum on marriage from an Islamic perspective, attended by those interested in marriage and seasoned couples. Information was provided, supported by proofs from the Qur’an. 

Sister Mecca Nandi, The Co-Wife Coach, was able to give a realistic perspective of marriage from the perspective of those who participate in polygyny.

Imam Amin Muhammad facilitated a Riyaadah edition of The Black Imam’s Roundtable.  The discussion was titled “The Elephant In The Room”

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The discussion focused on contemporary issues that the African American Muslim community faces in marriage and family life. It was lively and focused on issues faced by those seeking marriage and those seeking to preserve their marriage.

There was a sisters-only event called The Garden Tea Party, which allowed women from various parts of the country to socialize and network with their sisters. 

This year’s Riyaadah culminated with a “Sunday Funday” in Fairmount Park with BBQ and activities for the entire family.

The 40th Riyaadah will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, next year. Please check Riyaadahusa.org for updates and more information.

Black Imam’s Roundtable Session 

Basketball Competition 

Brother Abdur-Rahim Al-Asmaraniyy