ID#: 2034 Feb 13-14 : Multicity : A Rainbow Clutched

Risala Foundation is pleased to welcome a giant of North American Islam, Shaykh Abdalla Idris Ali to Houston.

Friday, February 13 at Maryam Islamic Center

1) Khutbah at 1:30 PM
2) Evening lecture: The Building Blocks of Developing a Community at 7:45 PM
Speaker: Abdalla Idris Ali

Mosques and their respective leadership are an integral part of the Islamic community. This session will examine the role of masjid in our everyday lives, and how we can take steps to make it a larger part of our daily lives. We will also address the topic of leadership in our community, including what makes a leader and how can we step up to fulfill that role, as each of us should. 

Saturday, February 14, 2015:

3) A RAINBOW CLUTCHED: COMBATING EXTREMISM WITH STRONG FAMILIES at @Masjid Elfarouq, from 4 PM (Continues after Maghrib a & Isha)

Session 1: Addressing Current Events that Hit Close to Home 
Speaker: Shaykha Muslema Purmul

With the tragic events that unfolded in Paris and the subsequent anti-Islamic sentiments that arose as a result, moderate Muslims are experiencing frustration and anger. This session seeks to utilize those opinions in a positive manner and channel energies into discussing reasons and possible solutions for the future image of Islam. 

Session 2: Breaking Bad (Habits)
Speaker: Sheikh Abdalla Idris Ali

We are taught at a young age that Quran, salah and hadith are the means to a beautiful afterlife. However, our busy schedules and lives often dictate rushed practices and hasty choices. What are some everyday solutions to building good habits and instilling the spirit of The Prophet (peace be upon him) in our families and our everyday lives?

Session 3: Panel Discussion – Open Spaces: Creating Effective Dialogue
Speakers: Shaykha Muslema Purmul and Sheikh Abdalla Idris Ali 

Muslim households are generally known for their conservative nature. It is difficult for many individuals to express thoughts and ideas that counter this moderate philosophy. Developing an open stream of communication within family and friend groups is the most effective means of preventing extreme thoughts and behavior. What are some topics that are hard to discuss with Muslim loved ones and importantly, what are some ways in which individuals can begin these non-traditional conversations?


Free, open to everyone and families welcome

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Abdalla Idris Ali is a well-known American Muslim public speaker and educator, having served as ISNA's President from 1992-1997. 

Additionally, Sheikh Abdalla co-organized the Canadian Islamic Banking Conferences for 1996 and 1997. He also serves as a member on the Board of Trustees for the Islamic Teaching Center (ITC) and North American Islamic Trust (NAIT). 

Additionally, he is also on the Board of Advisors of the American Muslim Council (AMC) and past-Board member of the Council of Islamic Schools in North America. 

As an ISNA School principal, he developed and implemented Islamic and Arabic Studies curricula for elementary and junior high students. He has written various articles in Islamic Horizons and is a member of the ATP Editorial Board. 

His expertise is in the area of Islamic education in North America.

SHAYKHA Muslema Purmul was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and raised in San Diego, California. Her parents are originally from Afghanistan and they came to the US in the early 80s. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a double major in Religious Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. During those years she served at varying capacities in MSA UCSD as well as MSA West. After graduating she left to study in Egypt where she spent the better part of the next 7 years. She completed a course of study in Sharia from al-Azhar University in Cairo and also completed almost two years of graduate work at the American University in Cairo in Islamic Studies.

Afterwards she transitioned into the blessing of motherhood. Recently she served as the Young Muslims Program Director at the Islamic Center of Irvine where she provided support, religious education, and leadership for programming related to youth and young professionals. She has taught classes and spoken nationally and internationally about issues related to Islamic law and ethics in a variety of different settings including conferences, retreats, universities, libraries, and mosques. Currently she serves the Muslim students at UCLA as a chaplain with Institute of Knowledge and is the Co-Founder and Scholar-in-Residence at Safa Center for Research and Education