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

the westin chicago lombard

Located in: Yorktown Center

Address: 70 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL 60148

Phone: (630) 719-8000

Hotel Website

radiant roots: nurturing families into a stronger community

الجذور الثابتة: تنمية الأسر إلى مجتمع متماسك

_______________________________________

َ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.

SPEAKERS

shaykh abdulrahman cherri

A dedicated religious educator and lecturer with over 10 years of training in Islamic sciences, including theology, jurisprudence, and religious history. Currently teaching at Maya School, where he focuses on nurturing students’ spiritual growth and ethical development, and regularly lecturing at major Islamic centers in Michigan. Sheikh Abbas is also pursuing a Master’s in Social Psychology, holds a background in Social Science, and is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

ustadha fatima omar

radood hussein issa

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.

Hajah Laura Beydoun is an active leader in the community with expertise in the field of mental health therapy and a teacher in Islamic Studies. She has earned her masters degree in social work from Wayne State University and is currently teaching 3 classes in Islamic studies ranging from youth to adults. In her career, she has worked with various groups providing individual and marital therapy along with workshops, public speaking, and discussion circles.

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, born and raised in New Jersey, earned his BA in Political Science with a focus on Islam and politics from Rutgers College. He pursued Islamic studies at the Imam Ali Seminary in Orlando in 2010 and continued in Qum until 2020.

Some of his research interests include Islamic education, parenting, and metaphysics. Saiyid Hasan explores contemporary topics such as democracy, atheism, and postmodernism through Islamic philosophy and 'irfaan. He is known for offering philosophical insights on pop culture media like Marvel, DC, Dune, and The Matrix, blending traditional Islamic thought with modern cultural narratives. He currently serves as the resident 'aalim at the Husseini Islamic Center in Orlando.

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.

radood abbas alshafai

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 Al Husaini is a scholar and religious activist in the United States dedicated to serving Muslim communities through religious, cultural, and social guidance. He began his academic journey in the Islamic seminary in Najaf in the 1980s, reaching advanced levels of study and engaging in Islamic and cultural activities in various Muslim countries. Academically, he holds a diploma in education, a Bachelor’s in Community Development, and a Master’s in Social Justice from American universities. Over four decades, he has delivered hundreds of lectures on religion, culture, and social issues. For nearly 20 years, he has been involved in significant projects and activities across North America. Currently, he serves as Imam and religious advisor at the Imam Al-Sadiq Center in Madison Heights, Michigan.

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 is a distinguished Behavioral Health Professional with expertise in education and behavior modification, serving as a Supervisor and Behavior Consultant at Emagine Health Services LLC in Dearborn, MI. She is an adjunct ESL instructor at Henry Ford College, a certified school administrator, and a certified Arabic teacher who delivers lectures in both English and Arabic. With a Ph.D. in Education, Dr. Fradi is also an author of multiple books and a keynote speaker, addressing audiences on parenting and adolescent development. She founded the International Institute of Coaching & Consulting LLC and is committed to advancing educational and behavioral health practices.

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.

radood rami bijayjih

shaykh ahmad cherri

Sheikh Muhammad Hasan Rafati Al Haeri is a graduate of the islamic seminary of Najaf. He was fortunate to be students of Ayatollah Sayyed Mahdi Mojtahedzadeh Shirazi and Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Ali Tabatabai.
In jurisprudence(Fiqh) and fundamentals research(Usul), He also studied with some of our jurists and scholars, such as Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al Husseini Al Milani and Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Baqir Al Irawani.
Currently, he is serving the community of Milwaukee at the Dar ul Hikmah Islamic center as a religious director(Imam).

Born in Iraq in 1950 and having a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from Baghdad University, Iraq, Mohamed Fradi is a highly accomplished artist, teacher, and author. Before immigrating to the United States, Fradi worked as a professional artist, illustrator and designer from 1971-1988 for Iraqi Art magazine in Baghdad and also worked as a designer and artist for Iraqi cinema and theater organizations. Subsequently, Fradi was an Instructor of Art at Baghdad University (1989-1992), Jordan University (1992-1993) and Applied Science University (1993-1998) in Amman, Jordan. In 1998, Fradi moved to the Netherlands, where he worked as a freelance artist until 2000. He then moved to the United States, became a citizen, and worked as an art instructor and professional artist with his works exhibited in many galleries and included in both public and private collections worldwide. From 2009-2016, Fradi worked as an art instructor in the Caribbean in a therapeutic art program for people at-risk for psychological problems due to exposure to dangerous situations. He currently lives in Dearborn Heights and is engaged in many artistic projects.
Fradi is the author of two books: Development of Teacher's Skills in Drawing and Principles of Painting. In addition, he illustrated the book The Great Light. Fradi has been honored with awards including: Gold Prize, Almahras International Festival of Art (1993, Tunis, Tunisia); First Place,
"Many Faces-One Future" (2002, Detroit, Michigan); and Second Place,
"The Annual Jazz Festival," (2009, Detroit, Michigan).

conference schedule

Download Schedule

shia match-making program

the muslim group will be holding a qur'an competition at this year's 40th annual conference.

6 year olds to 7 year olds will have to send in a recitation of
Surah Alshams - سورة الشمس
8 year olds to 9 year olds will have to send in a recitation of
Surah Alfajr - سورة الفجر
10 year olds to 12 year olds will have to send in a recitation of
Surah Aljomaa - سورة الجمعة

Participant should have the surah Memorized.

Learn More

registration information

online registration is closed. on site registration will open at 2 pm on friday - 12/20/2024.

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):

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.
- All refunds are subjected to a PayPal processing fee (1.99% + $0.49)