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PRESS RELEASE
Chicago - August 19, 2003

ANNUAL ISNA CONVENTION BRINGS THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO CHICAGO OVER LABOR-DAY WEEKEND

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIO) will once again join hands to host the 40th Annual ISNA Convention, an event renowned as an ideal forum for constructive dialogue and understanding of social, religious, political and business issues relevant to America's expanding Muslim population. Over 35,000 Muslims will convene at the McCormick Place Convention Center from Friday, August 29 through Monday, September 1, 2003 to enrich their faith and Islamic knowledge, celebrate their diverse Islamic identities, enjoy multi-cultural activities, great ethnic food and browse through the colorful bazaar.

CIO Chairman, Kareem Irfan, Esq., exuberantly stated " Chicago's Muslims are excited at hosting what has become the largest annual non-obligatory gathering of Muslims in the West and possibly the world. In keeping with this year's Convention theme - Islam: Enduring Values for Daily Life - this is an outstanding opportunity for American Muslims to better understand, practice and communicate to America Islam's strong emphasis on compassion, mutual respect, peace and justice as key enduring values applicable to all aspects of our lives."

Notable scholars and personalities scheduled to speak at the convention include: Yusuf Islam (former rock singer Cat Stevens); Sheikh Nur Abdullah, ISNA President and Director of the Islamic Foundation of Greater Missouri; Dr. Ingrid Mattson, ISNA Vice-President & Professor of Islamic Studies at the Hartford Seminary; Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California; Imam Siraj Wahhaj of Masjid Al-Taqwa, Brooklyn; Jamal Badawi, Professor at St. Mary's University, Nova Scotia; and Abdul Hakim Jackson, Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Convention highlights include: 1] the Sixth Annual ISNA Inter-faith Unity Banquet (Friday, August 29 at 6:30 p.m.) where prominent religious and civic leaders will come together to renew their bonds and forge a path of unity for the future; 2] the first ever Open Islamic Art Exhibit featuring a wide spectrum of displays from gifted Muslim artists including paintings, sketches and calligraphy; and 3] the Second Annual ISNA Film Festival featuring over 20 films, including features, short subjects, documentaries and animated films covering a range of contemporary Muslim perspectives.

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