Alluding to the parallel conventions of ISNA and AMS over Labor-Day weekend, he said "these may be two conventions but are representative of one community of Muslims." ISNA opened its 2003 Convention to all participants at the AMS Convention and ISNA/AMS leaders spoke prominently at each other's Convention events. Br. Irfan spoke at the UIC Pavilion preceding the Imam's keynote speech & extended "an open hand on behalf of the CIOGC & ISNA to work closely with, & learn from the extensive experiences of, our dear African-American Muslim brothers & sisters." He expressed hope that "in keeping with Islam's ideal of a unified brotherhood, we will work together to unify as a community of Muslim-Americans, learn from the best of each other and leverage our resources and strengths for the common good."