United We Stand

United We Stand: One Nation, One Destiny

Thank you for attending this historic conference

Event Description

As we know, the forces of anti-Muslim bigotry are gaining strength and momentum daily. In addition to the mounting threats faced by American Muslims in their daily lives, the current wave of negativity transcends the boundaries of this country. It threatens to create a climate where popular support for unjust and unfounded wars could potentially wreak unimaginable havoc upon innocent Muslims in far off lands.

As the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approach, and as the initial run-up to the presidential election campaign begins, we can expect the anti-Muslim defamation, demonizing and fear-mongering to intensify. That being the case, unless there is a strong countervailing message of peace, reconciliation and mutual cooperation and respect, the tide of bigotry and hatred may become so strong that it cannot be turned back.

Now is the time for us to begin to address this situation by not only endeavoring to educate people about the imminent danger facing us all, but also to begin working to create a new social and political culture that lays the foundation for a viable pluralistic and multicultural world. In that spirit, United For Change, in partnership with Zaytuna College, has decided to host a conference where we can not only discuss and analyze the anti-Muslim bigotry that is currently sweeping the country, but we can also begin to lay the foundation for an alternative discourse.

To do this, we are gathering a wide array of internationally renounced scholars and activists. To date, we have commitments from Karen Armstrong, John Esposito, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Dr. Yasir Qadhi, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Dr. Sherman Jackson, Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Sayed Hassan Al-Qazwini and many others.

This conference, which will be held on the eve of September 11, 2011, in Washington DC, promises to be an event of great historical and intellectual significance. We can begin to arrest the forces of hatred, but only if we act, swiftly, intelligently and in a united fashion.

Program Book

Hate speech against Muslims incites violence

Action Plan by Imam Zaid Shakir

Speaker Testimonials

“As usual, the United for Change conference raised the bar for Islamic conferences in America. This year’s conference truly ‘united’ the Muslim community and provided a national platform to address the sensitive issues of the post-9/11 decade.

It was a pleasure to participate and meet the other speakers and interact with the audience. I look forward to participating in future events and continuing the tradition of keeping the United for Change conference one of the most exciting conferences in North America.”

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi

At such times of trial as we see some portion of our society inflicted by Islamophobic sentiments, it is crucial to get passed our differences, put aside our conflicts and depict solidarity in the name of humanity. United We Stand One Nation One Destiny succeeded in bringing us together around our least common denominator, that is we are all citizens of this planet and we all deserve respect and the right to live with dignity.

Dr. Merve Kavakci-Islam

It was a very beautiful event that I enjoyed and appreciated a lot. I hope we can move on with a momentum as great as the one I witnessed during the event inshallah. God bless you and support you for your noble work!

Imam Sayed Hassan Al-Qazwini

This conference serves as a platform for American Muslims to organize their positive contribution to society as a whole, and to share their thoughts and experiences.

Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy

It was a pleasure to be a part of such an amazing event.

Imam Mohammed Magid

“(The) United for Change (event) was especially noteworthy for the diversity of speakers and the remarkable turnout.”

Dr. John Esposito

“As always, I was humbled to participate in the United for Change conference and grateful for the opportunity to listen to the scholars of our time. The diversity in thought among the scholars continues to further unite them and the communities and organizations they lead, under the aptly-worded theme of the conference, United We Stand. Our tremendous gratitude as well is extended to our beloved scholar/strategist Imam Zaid Shakir and his team of selfless volunteers for bringing us all together at a time of profound grief for the lives lost in America and around the world, during this last decade. We pray for peace and justice in the coming decade and beyond.”

Dr. Altaf Husain

“Your selection of me for the “Human Service” award was such a great and unexpected honor. I don’t feel as though my contributions have been any greater than those of others; nevertheless, I thank you sincerely for your recognition of my work. This award makes my work ever so much more enjoyable and challenging.
The program, “United for change”, was amazing and very successful. I was impressed with the objectives fostered by your organization, and I do agree with the tenet in promoting the advancement of national and international understanding, good human relations and peace through uniting us (for a change for a better world). I enjoyed the program very much. It gave me a rare opportunity to meet many scholars, speakers with different social, religious and cultural background, and human rights activists.
I wish your organization every success in its efforts to bring change in our country and world.”

Rais Bhuiyan

“Thank you for organizing this event! This was by far the best Islamic Conference I have been to. The amount of knowledge and inspiration I got from this single day event is immeasurable! Such a wide variety of excellent speakers! It was truly amazing to be able to see them all in 1 day! Everything seemed very organized as well! I make dua for us all that we are able to implement this knowledge and take action! May Allh (swt) reward all who helped to make this event possible!”

Articles

Notes from the United for Change Conference

 

September 11, 2011 : Spreading peace, Facing Power by Tariq Ramadan

ISNA President Delivers Speech at United for Change Conference

Press Release (PDF)