Talking love, fair trade & the environment: RIS celebrates 10 years

From Denmark to England, Yemen to South Africa, speakers and performers came from across the globe to share pearls of wisdom and insightful reminders. Traditionally centering itself on a theme, this year's conference was titled "Control, Chaos or Community ”“ Three Ways, One World, Our Choice”.  Many felt this was an appropriate title, given the recent events in the Middle East and the Occupy Movements in the West. From brotherhood, spirituality and gender relations to the advancements of fair trade, permaculture and the current state of the economy, it seemed that every topic imaginable was addressed this year.

“When I attended the lectures, I found that they were mostly aimed at the Ummah (global Muslim community) as a whole and our responsibility as Muslims in this world,” said Karissa Tsevi, a new convert to Islam and first time attendee to the conference.

“I found the lectures very empowering and I came back to reality with an enhanced, positive perspective of Islam and my capabilities as a Muslim.”

The RIS bazaar has also gained a popularity of its own and many attendees look forward to shopping there between lectures.

From bookstores, to colorful hijab stands, creative Islamic art and delicious halal fried chicken, there's something for everyone.

“I enjoy shopping at the bazaar because of their expansive book collections. You can also get clothes and perfumes that can't be easily found anywhere else,” says Ryan Fournier, a regular attendee of the conference.

The Reviving the Islamic Spirit conference can be easily called a success, as it seems to accomplish its main goal year after year ”“ to revive the Islamic spirit of our community. Let's hope that it will continue to run successfully for many years to come, insha'Allah (God willing).  

SPEAKER SNAPSHOTS

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Habib Ali Al Jifri, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized the importance of love in our religion. In his lecture entitled “Building Communities”, he stressed that while we must dislike the falsehood in their scriptures, but we must love the People of the Book.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's lecture was entitled “Sharing Success: Fair Trade Commerce for a Better World” where he discussed agriculture and commerce and encouraged us to familiarize ourselves with the basics of economics. He also stressed that there are few things more important to society than good and honest merchants.

Dr. Tawfique Chowdhury's emotional lecture, “In the Spirit of Love” was centered on the importance of brotherhood, and its near unbreakable bonds. He urged the attendees not to leave the lecture hall until they had forgiven anyone that had offended them.

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Ambassador Atallah Shabazz ”“ Malcolm X's eldest daughter ”“ shared warm thoughts on her father's impact on her life and the legacy he left behind in a lecture entitled “Celebrating our Heritage, Living our Legacy.”  She also reminded us that parents must be ambassadors of good character for their children.

In Professor Tariq Ramadan's lecture entitled “Springtime in Arabia: Déjà vu All Over Again”, he talked about the many changes taking place in the Middle East and offered a different perspective on the events that led up to them.

Dr. Umar Faruq Abdallah's lecture, entitled “Noah's Ark or the Titanic: The Navigational Value of a Moral Compass” addressed important issues such as animal rights and the environmental crisis. He also mentioned an Australian imam who got his community to clean a polluted river as an act of charity.