The 7th Annual conference of Muslim Congress at Kansas City on July 4th weekend was another success in the leadership of the pious scholars. With nearly 1500 attendees from across the nation in the audience the conference commenced with an uplifting Holy Qur’an recitation of world renowned Qari (recitor) Hujjatul Islam Abazar Wahedi.

Hujjatul Islam Moulana Shabbiri, chairman of the board of trustees, welcomed the momineen and mominaat and elaborated on the vision and mission of Muslim Congress. As has become a tradition at the conference the spiritual message of Grand-Ayatullah Jawadi Amoli, who is one of the great Islamic personalities of our time, was inspirational and motivational message as he discussed the basic principles of divine freedom.

Hujjatul Islam Syed Abbas Ayleya, another trustee of the organization, addressed the gathering on the subject of Imam Hussain and freedom and his speech was a highlight of day one with a packed audience.

On the second day Hujjatul Islam Syed Sartaj Zaidi addressed the gathering stating the importance of freedom and the ways of achieving true freedom as opposed to the one flouted repeatedly in the mainstream media. His speech was simultaneously translated in English by Hujjatul Islam Shamshad Haider.

Hujjatul Islam Mohammad Baig, in his customary style energized the audience and motivated them to follow Imam Hussain (as) on the path of freedom. In addition to the trustees of Muslim Congres many great scholars from across the nation and all over the world like Hujjatul Islam Tijani Smaoui, Hujjatul Islam Hamzah Sodagar and Imam Abdul Alim Musa.

Hujjatul Islam M. Ali Baig Hujjatul Islam Shamshad Muslim Congress conferences offer a unique opportunity for people of conscience to come together and discuss current affairs that are a rarity in the continental United States.

This conference supported the cause of the oppressed people and supported the freedom loving nations of Libya, Tunisia, Bahrain and Egypt.

Hujjatul Islam Hamza Sodagar Attendees Other highlights of the conference included the Heavenly match program lead by Hujjatul Islam Qaisar Abbas and his dedicated team of Br Adam Kader and Br Hani Rahal.

The youth programs continue to attract the young and active brothers and sisters. This year they organized a basketball tournament for the brothers and a networking session for the sisters.

The annual Friday night youth summit and the late night discussion is an essential part of the youth program in which they participate and interact with scholars and discuss various topics pertaining to youth, activism and current affairs.

The play organized by Sr Saeeda Panjwani was much talked-about event and brought to light the concept of true freedom in a very tangible way. It took countless hours of preparation, attention to details and consisted of actors from different cities.

In the evening Muslim Congress held its third annual Poetry Slam in which some of the top emcees from the across the country recited their spoken word and poetry. New performers including Jamshed Abbas, Ali Moaddel, Aseel Machi, Huma Waseem, and Ali Hasnain Abbas met with MC Poetry Slam veterans including Yusuf Trombly (Black Madeen), Ebrahim Mohseni (Radio Rahim), and Sister Safiyyah Abdullah (Phenomena).

The Poetry Slam year after years captures a certain energetic vibe within the younger generation, that cannot be expressed in words. The amazing talent that we have in brothers and sisters who can spread thoughts, ideas, and emotions through their rhythm is something we look forward to every year. Despite the late night hours, conference attendees took the energy from the Poetry Slam to attend the Late Night Sessions. Brothers Trent Carl and one other brother, with the addition of Amir Mohamadi moderated part 2 of the series on Community Activism. In a very structured and systematic, they delved into the topic attempting to cover very specific problems and plausible solutions.

A second simultaneous Late Night Session was moderated by Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Salim Yusufali and Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Hamza Sodagar. The session began with a brief introduction and commentary on Munajat Shabaniya, followed by a very moving recitation by both ulema of the supplication. This particular program concluded with a lengthy Question and Answer session, in which participants asked a broad range of their queries.

This year the conference organizers had bussed people from various cities including Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, and Houston and registered a record number of attendees.

We hope to continue to expand and engage other cities insha-Allah as we look forward to the conference 2012 in Detroit, MI.

Muslim Congress is an organization that is active throughout the year by conducting regional seminars, outdoor camps, heavenly match marriage sessions, self-building weekly teleconferences, raising awareness to legal issues pertaining to Muslims and providing funding for education to deserving students via a scholarship. We need your support and encouragement in paving the way for the arrival of the awaited Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his appearance).