Only weeks before the annual conference of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), critics of the group (and of Muslims in general) were hurling a new accusation toward it - the awkward appellation of "unindicted co-conspirator" as described in a federal lawsuit against a Texas charity where the organization's name surfaced. But with an organization that now crosses most of the American Muslim landscape, a connection between ISNA and any Muslim would be near impossible to avoid. Forty-four years since the umbrella group began its conferences in Chicago, the attendance list has swelled to over 40,000 people who collaborate and contribute from nearly every aspect of American Muslim life.

ISNA's Shura council helps to provide guidance on fiqh matters, economic advice regarding the lucrative American Muslim demographic is provided and sought by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and political collaboration with high-level US government representatives - unheard of 15 years ago - is now seen as a priority. Socially, the group promotes projects covering domestic violence, interfaith activities, and education - though you could be forgiven for viewing the annual conference as little more than one big party (more half the attendees are under 25 years old). Good timing, as there appears to be much to celebrate this year.

Non-Muslim religious and political leaders were in abundance, thanks in part to the efforts of Dr. Ingrid Mattson, the group's groundbreaking female president. The president of the Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, addressed the crowd and received a standing ovation in response. "There exists in this country among all Americans," remarked Yoffie, who pledged to continue working with the group, "a huge and profound ignorance about Islam." The Rev. Jesse Jackson also made a surprise appearance (so unscheduled that he was placed as the fourth speaker in an environmentalism panel), where he called on the crowd to "fight for the civil rights of all, not just Muslims". Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean concurred, insisting that Muslims "stand up and be heard" by running for office. To underscore his point, the first Muslim in Congress, Representative Keith Ellison (a Democrat, not surprisingly) stood by his side.

However, it was the governmental outreach - demonstrated this year by the presence of booths staffed by the Department of Justice, US Agency for International Development, and the Department of Homeland Security - that was irksome to some (though not all) conservative commentators. At least two members of Congress wrote a letter of protest, calling government outreach to Muslims at the event "absolute insanity" and accusing ISNA of "strong links to extremism." Yet for the government officials present and scores of other attendees (the event was open to anyone paying the entrance fee), such links were non-existent. Conference topics included the importance of civic engagement in the larger American community, improving Sunni-Shia relations, women's rights, and the environment.

The conservative protests come at a time when ISNA's leadership is undergoing a dramatic transition in an attempt to become more dynamic and responsive. Along with the recruitment of more American-born and/or raised leaders, programs are being tailored to focus on domestic issues rather than the traditional foreign policy concerns. In an attempt to reach out to other metropolitan areas and broaden the organization's reach, the conference will be moving to Columbus, Ohio next year after being held nearly every year in Chicago. And as for the "unindicted co-conspirator" label, ISNA isn't taking it lightly, seeking an immediate retraction of the allegations. "ISNA is not now and has never been involved in any covert or illegal activity and has never supported any terrorist organizations,” explained ISNA Vice President Imam Mohamed Magid. "Rather, ISNA is an open and transparent membership organization that strives to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization." These efforts were not lost on some British attendees who found the gathering less dogmatic, sectarian, or political than ones back home.

Conference attendees took the negative attention in stride, preferring to be inspired (perennial favorites Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Imam Zaid Shakir from the Zaytuna Institute drew standing-room-only crowds) or commercially satiated by the convention's 300+ bazaar vendors. Entertainment ranged from the ISNA-sanctioned show MC'ed by video blogger Baba Ali and featuring artists such as Kareem Salama and Dawud Wharnsby, to off-site (and non-endorsed) events such as the IMAN Community Café in southside Chicago with its "turntable dhikr" (remembrance of God) and hip-hop Muslim poetry, and the Muslim punk "Taqwapalooza" concert, held in a sweaty downtown residence complete with mosh pit. Hardly the Islamo-fascism some would have you expect.

With a hand in US government policy-making, an embrace of commercialism, and a nod to a still-developing American Muslim culture (and even counter-culture), ISNA is stretching hard to broaden its influence - and largely succeeding. Unlike many Muslim gatherings around the world, the ISNA conference, as with the group itself, has grown to become a relatively non-judgemental affair. Only time will tell if the organization gets the same from its critics in return.

Hopefully, ISNA has grown beyond the traditional, "Why I wear Hijab" and "How to sight the Moon" mentality. I used to attend these conferences religiously but eventually grew tired of the rigid, limited mindframe that seemed to permeate this organization. I was dissappointed in the "party line" mentality originally espoused by Ingrid Mattson and saw her as little more than a token "female" representative of a male dominated organization. That looks like it may be changing, and in order to stay revelant for the next decades which will have changing demographics which will move away from the immigrant dominated community to one which has a majority of homegrown 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Muslims.

unfortunately, the so-called 1st, 2nd or 3rd class generation Muslims don't have much to offer in terms of ideas. Heck, Al Gore has more to offer planet earth then the local homegrown Muslims. The only two things they have come up with so far, three things actually, are:

- VOTE FOR BUSH 2000.
- GIBBERISH CONFUSED SUFISM (i.e. Hamza Yusuf).
- SELF-PITY (a.k.a. Video Blogs).

Oh, and now - LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE

"...in order to stay relevant..." she says, ha ha hah hah hahah ahaha.

VOTE FOR BUSH 2000

All the men who orchestrated this disaster were immigrants. Just so you know.

Aloha and asalaam alaikum! It was my first ISNA and I enjoyed it, technical problems notwithstanding. What I liked was the unashamed and boisterous economic activity in the bazaar - props to the hardworking ethics of Muslim Americans - and its proximity to the faith/political fare on offer. I met plenty of people who loved both the shopping and the spiritual aspects, while others only experienced one side and not the other but didn't look down on people who went for an either/or approach. The guys were much much cuter too. My only gripe - and I mentioned to this to Sheikh Hamza - is that the spiritual stuff is aimed at advanced level Muslims (i.e. people who have an understanding of their faith and are already practising it) but there is little out there for people who don't have a clue and are too scared to ask.

I thought ISNA went pretty well this year, Alhamdullilah, and I especially enjoyed the Meet the Author sessions. I definitely liked it better than when I went a couple of years ago. However, some of the lectures still needed some work - the speakers in a couple of sessions in the Main Hall would speak of problems that we were all aware of and yet offer no solutions.

I was also in the audience for the Turntable Dhikr portion of the MSA entertainment that took place in the Hyatt Sunday night. Very interesting stuff.

unfortunately, the so-called 1st, 2nd or 3rd class generation Muslims don't have much to offer in terms of ideas. Heck, Al Gore has more to offer planet earth then the local homegrown Muslims. The only two things they have come up with so far, three things actually, are:

In our community our young adults have accomplished great things, including leading InterFaith projects, establishing Muslim clubs in their high schools that are building bridges with people of other faith traditions, working on projects like the crisis in Darfur, etc. They actually have had a much bigger impact than the "status quo" leadership in our multi-million dollar masjid.

>VOTE FOR BUSH 2000

>All the men who orchestrated this disaster were immigrants. Just so you >know.

Actually no one has ever been held accountable for this magnanimous decision (with the exception of Abdur rahman Alamoudi the former executive director of AMC who was caught at the airport with $500,000 in his suitcase from the Libyans). In addition to no financial transparency and little or no political accountability among "american" islam groups such as ISNA, there is little or no reason to be optimistic that things will change for the better with their kids in power either -- after all Muslims are still being recruited to the campaigns of Hillary (i'll use nuclear weapons on Pakistan) and Obama (i'll invade Pakistan if elected). The more things change, the more things stay the same.

We used to volunteer at ISNA back in the 90's. The last time my wife and I did, they made T-shirts for the volunteers, but refused to give them to women while at the same time having no long-sleeve shirts for them. I refused to take one, and decided that ISNA could help (actually, I used another word) itself for as long as it remained close-minded and misogynistic.

We went back for the first time officially this year. There have been positive changes. Most of them are subtle and can be described in terms of tolerance. My wife did not wear hijab, but was not made to feel uncomfortable about the fact. There is a greater understanding about the need for integration and engagement with American society, and there were sessions aimed at these topics that I found very rewarding.

Some accuse Ingrid Mattson of being nothing more than a figurehead; however, I think she is having more influence than most realize. For one, she is far more in tune with North American culture than any previous president (or the majority of the board/majlis, for that matter); for example, Mohammed Nur Abdullah showed up for a session in a galabiya and hutta as if he were walking down a street in Omdurman. Obviously, this is what he felt most comfortable in; but it is not the sentiment of the vast majority of Muslims born in America.

Overall, I was glad I went; however, my concern is whether or not this effort at integration continues or simply dies when Ingrid's term ends. I hope for the former, but knowing ISNA's history I don't count on it.

>> for example, Mohammed Nur Abdullah showed up for a session in a galabiya and hutta as if he were walking down a street in Omdurman<<

Well, this is quite enlightening!!!! That Ingrid Matteson is also dressed up like some slave girl from some backwater Arab country does not seem to escape the writer's persicope (especially since Mrs. dresses like a "normal" American).

Quite fascinating the multiple self-contradictions therein.

Ingrid Matteson is also dressed up like some slave girl from some backwater Arab country

Dr. Mattson wears Western clothing exclusively. The only difference is that she wears a hijab.

>> there is little or no reason to be optimistic that things will change for the better with their kids in power either -- after all Muslims are still being recruited to the campaigns of Hillary (i'll use nuclear weapons on Pakistan) and Obama (i'll invade Pakistan if elected). The more things change, the more things stay the same.<<

Well, there is no concept of revolutionary ideals in America. Its a two party state, join in or be left out. The whole electoral process is so expensive and the population so politically illiterate that elections are more like reality TV shows. America is so advanced (i.e. cosnumes so much) that hurricanes and planes flying into buildings don't even register as blips on the economy. The show goes on. Eat eat eat, give it the gas, dance to the music, and on and on. How and what to consume are the biggest challenges facing most Americans, not Mongols, World Wars, or the the Black Plague.

So it is hard not to feel sympathy for the local generation running around garnering votes for Bush or Hillary or Osama, err Obama. Hmmm, that's odd.

Anyway, I suppose its all harmless fun and socialization, really. Running around with members of the opposite sex, all over the local neighbourhood. Vote for Bush, blah blah, blah. Better than sitting at home playing video games. Good resume padder to boot. Gets you into good schools I hear. Makes no difference whatsoever to Muslims here or there who is in Washington, so why bother looking from that angle.

Good to know of ISNA's progress. Perhaps those who felt alienated before will do their part and make some solid contributions. It's important that natl. orgs. like ISNA are able to absorb all varieties of Islam. Interesting points on the commercial aspect. America is not America without consumerism, likewise American Islam cannot be American without it either. Perhaps consumerism may become that cultural aspect of American Islam akin to what authoritarianism and patriarchy is to Eastern Islam?

"Ingrid Matteson is also dressed up like some slave girl from some backwater Arab country," thus spoke hijibaba.

What a f'kin stupid thing to say. A scarf relegates a woman to slavery, backwater and Arab to boot? Are you inbred from swamp people? Is this an example of the quality of your observations? Dr. Matteson is well-educated, articulate, and presents herself with more elegance than anyone I know.

And, Mr. Abujude, if Mr. Nur wants to dress with a galabiya, so what? Did you hear what he had to say? If so, then shouldn't that be the criterion of your critique? You moan how your wife was made to feel uncomfortable for being sans hijab, then you toss this judgment about Nur precisely because of his dress?

mt

>> Dr. Matteson is well-educated, articulate, and presents herself with more elegance <<

Oh Yeah? Well than whats that 'thaing' she's got there on her head? Dont look American to me, can you tell me of any other articualte, elegant educated women in American public life with the thaing on her head? The thaing is definitely from overseas, thats for sure.

>>>Perhaps consumerism may become that cultural aspect of American Islam akin to what authoritarianism and patriarchy is to Eastern Islam?<<<

Ho ho hoh ho hoh. I would say Islam is here to temper that very consumerism, as opposed to adopting it whole heartedly. People are trying to formulate alternative lifestyle directions for a future America in order to solve its unhealthy dependence on the Military Industrial Complex and High energy consuming oil dependent economy.

I mean it is alarming for world peace that a nation like America has to turn into a shameless bully, butchering people by the millions in order to compete for middle eastern oil supply. People like NT Times' Friedman are now trying to espouse this sort of mushy green philosophy of living in tech savvy energy saving super homes and driving 80 mpg cars and stuff.

And what have Muslims suggested as the solution to American Ills?

ISNA >>>>>> Bigger Conventions
HAMZA YUSUF >>>>>>> Purification of the Heart
ASIFSHEIKH >>>>> Kill More Arabs, Consume More Oil
ALTMUSLIM >>>>> More Internet Chat

Hajibaba sahib,

You think America is the only country doing the butchering? You should read up on Dubai and how it's preying on foreign labor to erect all those towers.

Btw, my comment on consumerism was meant as a critique of American Muslims and American Islam (if it actually institutionalizes commerce with religion). American corporate culture can be ugly and inimical to a devotional religious life, and if muslims appropriate that into their lives in a dominant manner (it is only natural since that same corporate culture is part of America it-self), then it is the same situation as the muslims of the east have incorporated authoritarianism, triablism and patriarchy into theirs.

Indications are, that especially in the silicon valley, muslims have whole-heartedly embraced corporate America, including the aristocratic middle-class immigrants coming from the Islam of the east. Authoritarianism, patriarchy and corporate success make for a dangerous combination it seems.

>> unfortunately, the so-called 1st, 2nd or 3rd class generation Muslims don't have much to offer in terms of ideas. Heck, Al Gore has more to offer planet earth then the local homegrown Muslims. The only two things they have come up with so far, three things actually

Probably because creating something positive, requires people need to have positive attitude, practical vision and a compassionate heart. Not just an unflinching ability to criticise others but also a need to offer good advice and some self sacrifice .. even if you'd much rather meet AlGore at a book signing.

Hajibaba is a fraud. Give no thought to what it has to say.

>>> have incorporated authoritarianism, triablism and patriarchy into theirs<<<<

I am not sure if the above malady can be strictly relegated to people of the East. Kindly study the whole process of the United States going to War with Iraq, it fits the above label to the dot.

>>> Probably because creating something positive, requires people need to have positive attitude, practical vision and a compassionate heart. <<<<

which is precisely my point. So far there has been no "Vision" forthcoming from anybody here. That young locally born generation of Muslims is active in the local community, is well-behaved (atleast outside the ISNA Convention) etc etc, is all well and good. Nobody is suggesting otherwise.

But when you drive the same cars, watch the same sports, aspire to the same corporate jobs, work for the same Military Industrial Complex, live in the same suburbs, consume the same amount of energy per capita, go to the same church (or mosque or whatever you want to call it), whats the point of putting that thaing on your head???

its just a matter of symantics really. Just switch the labels. Pluck the Christians out of their conventions and churches and stick them in the ISNA or the local islamic center, and vice versa. Most people would nt even notice the difference. Lectures sound the same, people behave the same way, thaing or nothaing.