The theme of the convention was “Muhammad: Peace and Blessings be Upon Him”. Among the 20,000 attendees were 140 prominent scholars from all over the world who provided insight into, and lectures about, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In recent times, Muslims have witnessed the vilification of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by certain groups and individuals that seek only to spread hatred and misunderstanding. The goal of the conference was to provide Muslims and non-Muslims alike with a better understanding of the Prophet and how his legacy of justice, compassion and peace can shape our lives, and society as a whole, in a positive way.
The convention has come a long way since its first inception. The Islamic Society of Central Jersey’s Imam Shibly- who was at the first conference- pointed this out with a photo montage of the first prayer congregation consisting of 17 people, making it abundantly clear the enormous growth and success of the convention, which thousands could be seen praying at in congregation over the weekend.
As many Muslims as there were filling the lecture halls, a comparable amount browsed the lively bazaar, which was filled with a vast array of goods including Islamic clothing, literature and home decor. Additionally, several community outreach and charity booths were available, encouraging attendees to donate and help the community in any way they can. Many people attending the convention donated items to the ICNA Relief booth, while volunteers prepared 400 “blessing bags”, filling them with hygienic necessities and nutritional snacks to be distributed to those in need.
Convention attendees were also introduced to the free ICNA-MAS convention mobile application. The application allows users to benefit from several features including creating a personal convention schedule, biographies of the speakers, a bazaar map, and instant program updates.
Overall, the atmosphere at the convention was one of exuberance and learning. Every year the convention brings new, innovative ideas to life that continue to attract Muslims from across the globe. The continued growth and diversity of the convention each year speaks to its success.
