“And tell my servants that they should speak in the most kindly manner (to those who do not share their beliefs), for Satan is always ready to stir discord between men.”
Quran (17:53)

 Universal Muslim Association of America is committed in building capacity towards excellence within the Muslim community in North America.

The ability of any community to have sustainable development is determined to a large extent by the capacity of its people and its institutions. Specifically, capacity-building encompasses the community’s human, organizational, political, institutional and financial resource capabilities.

The theme of Sixth annual UMAA convention, based upon the Quranic injunction, is STRIVING TO BECOME UMMATE WASATA- A COMMUNITY MOST BALANCED. This theme has been chosen with a specific intent to initiate a vision of a definitive capacity building program with the purpose of nurturing    an exemplary and a balanced Shia Community which not only strives for its own well being but also contributes to the wider society in America.

Practical deliberations on ways and means to institute a process of change from with will be the focus of this convention. As a community, we need to accept that the time for lament, and blaming others for our situation, is over. To strive for excellence, we need to get back to basics and find inspiration in the true teachings of our great religion, Islam, in the exemplary manner demonstrated by the Blessed Prophet (SAW) and his Ahlul Bait.

In keeping with the mission of UMAA, the Sixth Annual Convention will continue  it’s tradition of fostering an environment of harmony and togetherness not just among Muslims as well seek engaging relationships with people of other faiths. 

SHERATON PREMIERE AT TYSONS CORNER HOTEL
8661 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA - 22182
 Tel: 703-448-1234,  1-800-325-3535

CONVENTION  MILIEU
Guidelines for Participants

Please note that the UMAA Convention is a community gathering for everyone to attend and enjoy As such parents and guardians are responsible for their dependents at all times.  Children (under the age of 18 years) should not attend the convention without parents unless placed under the supervision of a responsible adult.

1. Before traveling to the Convention, make mental preparation –niyah orintention—for this great Islamic event of learning and celebration.
2. Be mindful of salat times, make wudu in a timely manner, and on hearing the adhan immediately proceed to the salat area.
3. Salat in congregations is both fulfilling and rewarding. Observe congregational prayer to the best of your ability.
4. Upon receiving your program, select the sessions that interest you. You should make a note of these and participate in them actively, listening attentively, raising questions on issues that concern you.
5. Your feedback as attendees is very important to improve the UMAA Convention, let us know what you think.
6. Go out of your way to greet others at the Convention with Assalamu Alaykum, the beautiful greeting that both uplifting and an act of worship to Allah Subanahu wa Ta’ala.
7. Pay attention to interpersonal relations.
8. Observe Islamic dress etiquette all times.
9. Be kind, polite and patient with hotel and convention staff.
10. Make sure the surroundings remain clean and uncluttered. Pick up litter left behind by others.

THE STEERING COMMITTEE

THE STEERING COMMITTEE

Disclaimer Notice

Universal Muslim Association of America
ANNOUNCEMENTS

UMAA Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services Please stop by at our convention health fair site and
have your physical baseline evaluation done by our most talented and experienced physician staff.
Day: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Time:  9:00 AM -12:00 PM & 3:00 PM -6:00 PM
LOCATION: Conference Center Foyer

UMAA Entertainment Session

Understand Shia Islam and be entertained by Muslim Artists through
poetry, prose, lyrics and Mazah
Poets and Artists From All Across North America Will Participate:
Sunday, May 25 2008
Location: Conference Hall
Time: 9:30 PM-12:00 AM

UMAA Film Festival

Film For Thought
Entertain the idea of acknowledging history, understanding societal issues, praising Islamic values and more through the work of Muslim filmmakers
Saturday and Sunday
Time Saturday:  10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Time Sunday: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Location:
Coordinator: Sajjad Saeed

UMAA Halal Program

Know What You Eat and Use
Interactive session on
“What is Halal and What is Not, In the American Food system?”
Presenters: Moulana Anwer Ali & Imran Syed
Time Saturday: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Location: Lecture Hall 1

“Does your company need certification?”
Contact: 646-932-8622

National Qira’at Competition

Hear the beautiful recitation of the Qur’an
Youth competition in memorization, tajweed and recitation of the Qur’an
Time: Saturday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: Mezzanine Conference Room, Sheraton Premiere Hotel
Coordinator: Syed Zaheer Ul Hasan

Meet the Author Program

Come meet and converse with scholars, teachers and academics who
are contributing to the world of literature and publication pertaining to
Islam in America.  “Meet the Author’ sessions present a wonderful
platform to discover, share ideas, and highlight literary contributions
to the community. Learn, network and be inspired"
Time Saturday: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM-12:00PM
Location: Conference Center, Board Room

UMAA CHILD CARE SERVICES

UMAA has made arrangements for provision of professional child care services for the families attending this Convention and is in need of care for their children. A nominal fee has been assigned to meet the expenses of this service which will be offered for all three days. In addition, the children will be entertained with well planned activities during the course of each day. 

Children of the ages ranging from 3-7 years and 8-12 years will be placed in two groups as volunteers and paid staff recruited for this purpose will provide appropriate and necessary attention. The parents will have total freedom and convenience to inspect the physical location of the facilities and they will be permitted to join the day long activities with their children if need be. 

Parents are required to make all reservations relating to day care for their children ahead of time by contacting the UMAA office at 1-347-968-UMAA (8622) or
Javid and Shabnam Zaidi: 703-948-0033

Kids:  Ages 8 -12 Years

• Bingo
• Magic Show
• Debate competition (various topics impacting Muslims in USA)-Break into groups of  three-Prizes for top 3 winners
• Poetry competition (topics relating to Islam/Muslims) – Prizes for top three winners
• Current Events/Quiz competition – break into groups of three – Prizes for top 3 winners
• Prizes to winners – Treasure Hunt
• Movie Time (Kids Movies –Islamic Themes an cartoons)
• Card and board games (Spit, UNO, Monopoly, Quaran Board Games, Go Fish, Old Maid, Pick Up Sticks, Jacks and Ball,)
• Dumb Charades
• Musical Chairs
• Pinata
• Pass the box (put notes in box and act them out)

Kids: Ages 3-7 Years

• Story Time
• Comedy (Read jokes to kids)
• Magic Show
• Face Painting
• Drawing competition
• Pin the tail on the donkey
• Monkey in the middle
• Follow the leader
• Movie time (Kids movies – Islamic themes and cartoons)
• Arts and crafts (self portrait, straw necklace,)
• Painting/drawing (preprinted sheets with crayons, etc)
• Simon Says
• Musical chairs
• Pinata
  
  

UMAA MATRIMONIAL SERVICES

“And one of his signs that He created matches for you from yourselves that you may find comfort in them, and He put between you love and compassion: most surely are signs in this people who reflect.” (30:21).

UMAA, three years ago, created and launched especially for the Shia Muslim young adults of North America, its Online Matrimonial Service to meet the growing demand of the concerned parents as well as offering opportunity to young men and women to find their life partners.

We at UMAA understand the problems of our families living in the West in finding matches for their sons and daughters.  Whereas the traditional method has always been to find a spouse utilizing contacts of relatives, friends and the people they knew, there is a growing trend these days among the young adults as well as their parents to make the important choice of a life partner through information posted on the internet.  It is, however, important to be careful while making use of the internet matrimonial services. We highly recommend that while making use of the internet, the Islamic guidelines are followed, both for faith and trust. It is suggested that the young singles registering on their own seek help from a “wali” (custodian) who could check and investigate the credentials of a suitor, before they proceed further.  UMAA Online Matrimonial Service maintains complete confidentiality. Data is matched on the computer and the contact information is provided only with the consent of the registered members, after due scrutiny. However, UMAA does not offer any guarantees.

To check the credentials and the background information is the sole responsibility of the members registering for spousal search.  This service is free for UMAA members, who can register online.  An optional donation to UMAA is welcomed. Please remember that UMAA is your national organization committed to advance the social, political, and economic agenda for the Shia Muslims of North America.

REGISTRATION

Universal Muslim Association of America
Invites You Too Attend A
Mehfil-e-Maqaseda
Grand Ballroom
9:30 PM-12:30 AM
Sunday May 25, 2008
Sheraton Premiere, Tysons Corner
Vienna, Virginia 

Allah Subhanhu wa Ta’ala in numerous deliberations of The Holy Quran Praised The Prophet of Islam (P.B.U.H.) and his Holy Progeny. The exalted status of the Masoomeen has been repeatedly narrated in almost all Ahadees as the traditions of the Prophet and despite many pogroms against Ahl Ul-Bayt and their followers the world history continues to witness the resilience and revival of these devotees of the Prophet and His Progeny. 

For the past 1,400 years the poets of all faiths have been inspired  by  the love of Ahl Ul-Bayt. For the first time after its 6 years of existence UMAA has decided  to accord a National Stage to contemporary poets  by organizing this literary event which will attract many North American as well as Internationally acclaimed poets of the Urdu as well as Arabic, Persian, English languages to this grand and graceful occasion. 

Since the UMAA Convention is a gathering of those who love the Ahlul Bait of the Blessed Prophet (SAW), it cannot be deemed be complete without the praise of Allah Subanhu wa Ta’ala, the Prophet of Islam (P.B.U.H.), and his Holy Progeny. 
The master of ceramonies  Jaffar Naqvi
Coordinators  Manzoor Rizvi & Iqbal Danish

UNIVERSAL MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF AMERCIA
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE:

UMAA ANNUAL BANQUET
Cooperate With One Another On The Basis and Righteous & God-Consciousness,
And Do Not Indulge In That Which Leads to Sins And Animosity
(Quran 5:2)

Saturday, May 24, 2008   9:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner Hotel, 8661 Leesburg Pike,
 Vienna, Virginia  22182

Keynote Speaker
Keith Ellison
U.S. Congressman From Minnesota

E X H I B I T O R S    L I S T

CONVENTION PROGRAM

UMAA Announces the Formation of
The Alliance of Young Professionals

A large number of Muslim immigrants started arriving at the Western shores in the late 1960’s and 70’s. After settling down, with their worldly duties, these immigrants established Mosques and Islamic Centers all across North America.  They had families and their lot grew in many Muslim communities as their children having been born in this hemisphere became the first generation of citizens. These Muslim immigrants considered education as a top priority and they sent their children to elite schools. These young men and women grew up to become physicians, engineers, lawyers, academicians, accountants and entrepreneurs.  As a result, these young professionals are very skilled in the marketplace and with this economic independence they are poised to contribute towards the communities they live in. 

UMAA leadership recognizes the community of these young men and women and it is determined to reach out to them and engage them for an eventual succession.  These young professionals are an extremely potent, peaceful and vibrant part of the North American Muslim community. This group will now become a stake holder in terms of advancing the agenda set forth by the founders of UMAA.  We salute this generation of young professionals and ask them to become a part of UMAA which is an American Muslim movement.

During UMAA’s Sixth Annual Convention numerous sessions will be planned and organized by this group. On Sunday, May 25, 2008 a special get together for the Alliance of Young Professionals will take place at 9:00 PM in the Grand Ballroom. The primary object of this session will be to highlight the value of establishing professional networks in our community. It will demonstrate the value of networking and distinguishing the required steps in achieving the mission and communicate the long term vision of the alliance. 

Recitation of The Holy Quran

Welcoming Address: Asad Sadiq, President, UMAA
Topic: A Manifesto for A Balanced Ummah

Keynote Speaker
Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota)
U.S. House of Representatives

Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Mohsin Jaffar

Allama Rasheed Turabi: An Icon And A Legend  

No one in the sixty one year history of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent was bestowed with the title of Khateeb-e-Pakistan other than the late intellectual, religious Scholar and master of Urdu oratory Allama Rasheed Turabi.  Born and reared in the princely state of Hyderabad Deccan, Allama Sahib completed his education under the guidance of Nasir Ul Millat and Hojjat Ul Islam Syed Agha.  Hyderabad Deccan, was the center of Persian and Urdu literature and education. Usmania University from which Alllama Sahib received his Baccalaureate Degree, claimed to have been the first university in greater India where Urdu was the medium of instruction and learning. 

Allama Sahib soon made his mark in the pre partitioned India as a young orator and when the  split of the subcontinent took place in 1947, he migrated to Pakistan with his family.  He made Karachi his home as the young nation struggled to achieve its place in history. Pakistan did not have many established institutions of education and learning, however, the young nation started getting a good footing as numerous Muslim experts and intellectuals started migrating to their new homeland.

Allama Sahib mystified his audience as Muslims of all sects were attracted to his mastery of rhetoric and his command of the subject matter whether reciting lectures or describing the virtues of Ahl Ul-Bayt and the tragic martyrdom, the Holy Beings encountered at the hands of fellow Muslims. He consistently experimented and brought a new vigor to the institution of oratory. Allama Sahib was not only gifted with a photogenic memory, his baritone voice quality powered every aspect of his delivery as well. He never stopped proclaiming both in text and in tone the significance of Hussaineyat and its ultimate victory for Islam. He would scream, whisper when appropriate, cry, and yet control the crowds as he wished. 

The pulpit (mimber) was his nest and once he sat on it, the delivery began and the audience roared as he controlled their psyche and their emotions. He would turn, twist and tremble, while describing the tragic events relating to Kufa, Karbala, Damascus, and Medina. The martyrdom of the Prophet (PBUH) and his progeny and its impact on the 1,400 years of Islamic history was illustrated in the most comprehensive and convincing manner by no one other than Allama Rasheed Turabi. 

The man had a monumental mission and he never ran short of accomplishing any part of it. Raja Sahib Mahmoodabad, Agha Mehdi Poya, Sheikh Mohammed Shariati, Sheikh Mohammed Mahalati, Joash Maleehabadi, Niaz Fatehpoori, Abul Aala Moudidi, Ehtesham Ul Haq Thanvi, Abdul Hamid Badayyooni, Qamar Jalalavi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Hashim Raza, Jamiluddin Aali, Z. H. Bukhari and Raees Amrohavi, were a few of the t the intellectuals and scholars who sought Allama’s company. He would entertain them, humor them, and yet be the foremost intellectual force he was in his numerous deliberations.

The man never stopped until his health failed him and at the age of 65 he passed away. The legacy of Allama Rasheed Turabi is cherished by millions of people hailing from the subcontinent of India and Pakistan as well as the Urdu speaking communities of Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America.

The Universal Muslim Association of America, in recognition of the immense and unprecedented contribution made by this champion of the cause of Ahl Ul-Bayt, pays homage to this great hero, by designating a series of lectures in the memory of Allama Rasheed Turabi’s 100th birthday. May Allah (swt) bless the soul of this great icon and this everlasting legend.

Meet The Author 2008

‘Meet The Author’ sessions present a platform to learn, share ideas, and provide literary contributions to the community. Participants will receive an opportunity to meet with authors who have contributed to Islam and Muslims in America and around the world.