Shaikh Alaeddin El Bakri jumpstarted the weekend with an emphasis on changing our lives to living Islam in its fullest and truest sense by depending on Allah in all acts of worship and tasting the subtle fruits of submission to Allah.
Ensuing lectures and workshops zoomed in on the Muslim student. Topics included working hard in school with the ultimate goal of working for the sake of Allah by serving the Muslim Ummah and the American-Muslim culture in the realm of films, da’wah activism, and Islamophobia. Information on graduate professional schools and social issues was also given..
The highlighting session of Saturday night again echoed change in the spirit of reviving the Muslim society at large and recovering the forefront. Imam Zaid Shakir, Shaikh Muhammad ibn Faqih and Shaikh El Bakri stressed the concept of reflecting on Islamic history for future guidance with regard to each person’s appropriate role in shaping the Muslim identity and future.
After a night embossed with a spiritually-fulfilling "qiyam-ul-layl", or special prayers, the last day resumed with important and practical workshops such as "Silent Oppression - Abuse in our Own Homes," "Racism: The New Dividing Line" and "The Muslim Imperative: Becoming Catalysts for Change," presented by Ahmed Shama, one of the forefathers of MSA West.
"Being a Muslim is being a catalyst for change," Shama said, moving on to share his personal experiences of successful involvement in social, racism and poverty awareness programs during his MSA involvement.
Shama ardently called for students to comprehend and adhere to the verse in the Qur’an that says Muslims are the best nation for people by being shining examples of good character and altering one’s own condition and society at large.
Two sessions that were packed with students eager to ask questions dealt with the hot topics of marriage and gender relations. Other topics touched on were careers and family.
After a beautiful recitation of verses of the Qur’an, Shaikh Khursany and Shaikh Faqih ended the conference by accentuating change and integration of religion in the current environment of Muslims.
