the 40th

Annual

conference

december 20th - 24th

the westin lombard, chicago

Join us for our transformative conference that unite leaders and community members dedicated to making a positive impact. Experience inspiring discussions and workshops rooted in Islamic values.

hotel information

Radiant Roots: Nurturing families into a stronger community

الجذور الثابتة: تنمية الأسر إلى مجتمع متماسك

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َالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامً

and those who say, Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.

This year’s theme focuses on building strong and faith-centered families, grounded in love, mutual respect, and righteousness. Families that form solid foundations act as pillars within their communities, not only nurturing individual members but also contributing to the community.

Such families raise their children with strong values and provide emotional and spiritual comfort to each other ("comfort to our eyes"), and as a result, they become exemplary figures or leaders for others to emulate.

sheikh abbas ghaddar

SPEAKERS

sayyid sameer ali

  • Shaykh Rizwan Arastu is a graduate of the Islamic Seminary of Qum and currently lives near Chicago. He received a bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University. He is the founding director of the Islamic Texts Institute, a non-profit aimed at making Islamic sources accessible to non-specialists. He is also the founder of Islamic-Literacy.org, a web-based educational platform that aims to help all Muslims become Islamically literate.

    Shaykh Rizwan has authored and co-authored eight books. He is currently writing a biography of Prophet Muhammad called The Last Emissary: Muhammad.

  • Syed Hadi Rizvi is an independent researcher in Islamic Studies, with a particular focus on the Shi’i tradition. He carried out his Hawzah studies between 2007-2017. On returning from Qom, Iran, he taught for a further 2 years at the Hawzah of England.

    S. Hadi has a special interest in the intellectual history of Shia textual disciplines, as well as comparative philosophies and epistemology.

    He currently resides in North Carolina with his family.

  • Br. Caleb Carter received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Missouri in 2008 and went on to get his masters in Speech Pathology from Wayne State University in 2016. Br. Caleb worked as a speech pathologist for 7 years in the public school system in Dearborn, Michigan. As far as teaching Islam, over the past 15 years he has given lectures, led workshops, and taught classes in a variety of settings, including Islamic centers, conferences, camps, and local programs.

saiyid hasan ali rizvi

  • Sayyid Sulayman Hasan is among the most prominent Islamic scholars in North America. 

    His religious training is anchored in the Islamic Seminaries of Qum

    He holds a PhD in Near Eastern studies from the University of Chicago. 

    He serves as the religious director of the Baitul Ilm Islamic Center in Streamwood, and is the co-founder and President of the Ahl al-Bayt Islamic seminary—the first fully-fledged Shia Seminary in the United States.

    He currently serves as the president and religious director of Imam-e Asr Islamic Seminary in Alexandria, VA. 

    He is a board member at the Mufid Academic Seminary (MAS), Fairfax, Virginia, and serves as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America.

  • Ali Nazzal, originally from Dearborn, MI, is a graduate of Wayne State University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Since 2016, he has resided in Qom, Iran, where he has pursued a formal seminary education, focusing on traditional Islamic sciences, including fiqh and uṣūl al-fiqh.

sayed najah alhussaini

  • Dr. Sheikh Ibrahim Elamely is a multilingual intellectual scholar, researcher, auger and lecturer. He holds a PHD in engineering as well as intensely studied both theology and jurisprudence. He currently resides in Dearborn, MI and leads religious prayers and offers many sermons.

dr. najat fradi

  • Experienced educator with a solid foundation in Hawza studies (2012-2019) and a diverse academic background in Mathematics, Near Eastern studies, and Education. Currently serves in school administration and as a high school teacher, bringing extensive experience in both education and community service settings.

registration information

online registration

  • Open: October 26, 2024 – December 18, 2024

  • After December 18, 2024, you may still join us by registering onsite.

  • For onsite registration if accommodation is also needed, please directly check with hotel for room availability.

registration fees (excluding hotel room):

  • Early Registration Discount

    • Register before November 20, 2024, to receive a 5% discount on the conference registration fee.

    • The registration fee without the hotel room is as follows:

Age Category Total Duration Per Day
18+ $220 $90
Students & 14-17 $190 $80
7-13 $160 $70
2-6 $85 $30
Less than 2 Free Free

hotel booking

  • After registering for the conference and submitting full payment, you will receive an email with a link to book your hotel room.

  • The special rate for the Muslim Group of USA and Canada is $99 per night (including taxes).

  • Any special room requests should be addressed directly with the hotel.

cancellation policy

  • Hotel Room Cancellation

    • Contact the hotel directly for room cancellations. Please note that the hotel's cancellation policy may differ from the program cancellation policy listed below.

  • Program Cancellation

    • 100% refund for cancellations made before December 12, 2024 (with an acceptable reason).

    • 50% refund for cancellations made between December 12, 2024, and December 18, 2024 (with an acceptable reason).

    • No refunds after December 18, 2024.

    • Exception: Refunds may be granted in emergency situations.

volunteer

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