Seerah Conference: Deep concerns at rising tide of anti-Islamic rhetoric

Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) organized a Conference titled "Rediscovering Muhammad: The Man & the Message" at York College auditorium, Jamaica, New York on October 19, 2002. It was attended by a large number of community members of different faiths i.e., Muslims and non-Muslims. The speakers who presented some of the topics were "Why rediscovering Muhammad?"; "Critiques of Muhammad"; "Muhammad: the man par excellence"; "The Portrayal of Muhammad in the West; and "Muhammad - the fulfillment of the mission of Moses and Jesus". Leading Islamic scholars of USA & Canada, academicians and community leaders spoke with great enthusiasm in the conference. Among the panelists were: Dr Murad Hoffmann (former German Ambassador to Algeria and Morocco and Director of Information of NATO); Dr Jamal Badawi (Professor at St. Mary's University, Canada); Dr Sulayman Nyang (Professor of Howard university), Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi (former president of Islamic Society of North America), Imam Abdul Malik and Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the president of ICNA.

The following resolutions were unanimously passed at the conference:

1. "This conference expresses its deep concerns at the erosion of civility and rising tide of anti-Islamic rhetoric through out the country. It is dismaying that while a section of right-wing commentators and evangelical leaders are engaged in making hate-filled, slanderous remarks against Islam, vilifying its scripture and defaming the noble character of the Prophet Muhammad, these people have neither been stopped nor been admonished by the administration. We strongly believe that by attacking the tolerant, multifaceted mosaic of our society, those bigots are only damaging our important strength as a nation - our unity. Today, our society is on the edge of an ideological precipice, with powerful forces pushing us toward a downward spiral of hate."

2. This conference thus demands a clear and unambiguous statement by the president of the United States on the issue of anti-Islamic rhetoric. We ask the President to publicly condemn such bigotry and distance himself and his administration from the anti-Muslim demagogues.

3. We ask the media to show restraint regarding anti-Islamic and prophet-bashing.

4. We also ask the civic and religious leadership to step up in condemning this trend and efforts towards healing.

5. We pray to Almighty God that He will cure the hearts of the people from hatred and may He help all learn from the inspiring lives of all great prophets including Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon all these prophets).

Peace be upon all those who follow the guidance of God and sincerely promote human brotherhood and mutual understanding.

Contact information: ICNA Seerah Conference, 166-26 89th Ave. Jamaica, N.Y. 1143-4254; Email: [email protected]