InterFaith21

The conference theme was “Community For Real Change.” Noteworthy  was the daylong community festival at Roberto Clemente Park. Also the inspiring interfaith panel discussion featuring the Rev. Dr. Wayne Robinson, the Rev. Dr. William Glover and Imam Dr. Nasir Ahmad, for which I was honored to serve as moderator. There were sessions at the historic (1926) Dunbar High School. And at the spanking new Hyatt Place hotel. Topics included business and economic development, marriage and family, health, and Islamic education.

Imams Abdul'Haq Muhammad and Jalil Crawford.

Notes from the imams' meeting.

Of course there was Salatul Jummah — our Friday congregational prayer — led by host Imam Jalil Crawford at the Center for Islam & Cultural Awareness. Also the traditional talks by other imams after they led the predawn, Fajr prayers.

It all began with what’s becoming another fine FCMA tradition: a pre-conference meeting of imams in our association of students of Imam W. Deen Mohammed here in Florida. (This time: Abdul’Haq Muhammad, our FCMA convenor and executive director of the Quality Life Center of Fort Myers, Fred Nuriddin and Dr. Nasir Ahmad of Miami, Ummah Delacie of Melbourne, Hatim Hamidullah of Orlando, Nuriddin Faiz of Tampa, our host and myself.)

This weekend’s activities were enjoyed by political officials and candidates, the Muslims gathered from around the state and members of the general public of all stripes. With gratitude for all my new and longtime friends whose participation made us regret the conference had to conclude, here are some scenes:

— C.B. Hanif