Women Friendly Mosques

Don't miss this conference listed below.

It is good to see inclusion of the topic "Developing Women and Youth Friendly Mosques"

However, I did not see any women speaker names in this program; and I know it is an oversight, and hope it is. We need to make a conscious effort to be inclusive, at least in the USA. Women need to make sure nothing will be done without their partnership.

Asra Nomani, Dr. Amina Wadud and several other women have gone through the painful process of standing out and calling for the change. As men, several of us have condemned those demeaning shameless demonstrations against these women. One of them condemned them to hell - as if the Master of the day of Judgment had turned over his role to them. The men should know that, they recite the Maliki yomiddin phrase at least 50 times a day from Sura Fateha and that they cannot condemn anyone to hell, it is God's business.

I would suggest women who have the resources to be there, to please be there.


Mike Ghouse
World Muslim Congress

The American Muslim Studies Program (AMSP) at the

The American Mosque in the 21st Century

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU), Georgetown University, cordially invites you to attend: A ONE DAY CONFERENCE ON

Georgetown University --- Copley Formal Lounge

37th & O St., NW – Washington, DC 20057


Thursday, February 19, 2009 -- 9 AM – 5 PM

Since the early twentieth century, the Muslim communities in the USA have been establishing mosques in various parts of the country. With the passage of time, these mosques have assumed new functions and roles. They have been transformed from places of worship to community centers, to schools, and finally to forums for Muslims' involvement in public policy issues. They have also become the backbone of the fundraising drives of the American Muslims for local and international projects. In a post-9/11 era, however, mosques and Islamic centers have received extra attention, and sometimes scrutiny, from law enforcement agencies, media personnel and policy makers. The question is how these mosques and Islamic centers can be equipped to face the new challenges and demands of the 21st century? A group of academics, architects and religious scholars will address these issues.

The Conference is FREE and open to the public. However, seating is limited.

Please register before February 15, 2009 at: http://www12.georgetown.edu/sfs/rsvp/index.cfm?Action=View&EventID=2196

Contact: Adam Holmes at ach64@georgetown.edu or 202-687-8375. For more info, visit: http://cmcu.georgetown.edu

Cosponsored by Helping Hand for Relief and Development
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08:45 AM: Registration/Coffee
09:15 AM: Introductory Remarks by John Voll and Zahid Bukhari, Georgetown University
09:30 AM: Panel 1 – Mosque, Community and Society

Sulayman Nyang, Howard University, "Mosque and Society"
Imam Mohamed Magid, ADAMS Center, "Mosques and American Religious Landscape"
Ihsan Bagby, University of Kentucky, "Statistical Overview of the American Mosques"
Khalid Blankinship, Temple University, "Historical Footprints of the American Mosques"

Chair: Iqbal Unus, Fairfax Institute

11:15 AM: Break
11:30 AM: Keynote Speaker, Muzammil Siddiqi, Islamic Center of Orange County, CA, "American Mosques: Future Trends'
12:30 PM: Break for Lunch and Zuhr Prayer
01:30 PM: Panel 2 – Space, Design and Function

Riad Ali, MuslimGuide.Com, "Evolution of the American Mosques: Space and Functionality"

Mazen Ayoubi, AIC, "Designing the American Mosques; Balancing Tradition with Modernity"

Christopher McCoy, McCoy Architects, "Mosque and Church in a Neighborhood: A Comparative Perspective"

Imam Khalid Griggs, Community Mosque, "Urban and Suburban Experiences of American Mosques"


Chair: Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Georgetown University

03:15 PM: Panel 3 – Education and Empowerment

Altaf Husain, Howard University, "Developing Women and Youth Friendly Mosques"

Imam Amir Mukhtar Faezi, Baitul Ilm Academy, "Educating the Community: Problems and Prospects"

Louay Safi, ILDC, "Effective Leadership and Good Governance"

Imam Johary Abdul Malik, Darul Hijra, "Making Mosques Financially Sustainable"

Chair: Imam Yahya Hendi, Georgetown University

05:00 PM: Closing Remarks by Sulayman Nyang, Howard University