MSA-PSG Conference @ Home
2020 Virtual Conference: COVID Edition
Nanocourse
Some workshops only touch the surface of the matter and stay relatively simple. In our microcourses, we aim to go deeper, bringing a level of scholarly rigor. Due to time restrictions, this year’s microcourse is only one session—a ‘nano-course.’ We will look at the history of different approaches towards Shia Studies in Western Universities and what that means for our future.
Nanocourse I
Organic Islam, a vision for the future
Sheikh Rasoul Naghavi
Saturday, December 26
12:30 PM PST
02:30 PM CST
03:30 PM EST
Nanocourse Outline: Organic Islam, a Vision for the Future
1. History of Shia Studies in Western Universities (19th and 20th Century)
- Polemical period
- Orientalist approach
- Anthropological approach
- Coming to realize Islam: Responses of Muslims Modernists: late 20th
- Studying Islam as a Phenomenon (early 21 Century)
2. The Organic Islam, 21 century, a vision for the future
3. The Development of Islamic Seminaries in the U.S
Nanocourse II
Canceled due to sanctions
MSA-PSG Conference @ Home
Civic Engagement
In the past few months, we have passed through many trials spanning from a world-wide pandemic to protests and elections. Amidst all this, a question lingers, “what part do I play in this?” Although taking action seems to be the intuitive response, the situation is much more complicated—for in Islam, bravery is paired with patience, courage is rooted in wisdom, and judgement must be backed with knowledge.
There is no doubt that there is a need for action, yet taking the right course of action is a heavy responsibility we must not shirk. What would meaningful civic engagement look like for the followers of Wilayat in America? Do we currently have the influence and authority to be truly heard when we speak? Are we able to influence—or are we being influenced? If we participate in certain debates, who’s banner are we marching under? Furthermore, how do we define civic engagement beyond the political context? Could we broaden our scope to include family values and education as well?
These are some of the questions that we hope to explore and dissect in this year’s MSA-PSG Conference @ home edition. Join us as we open dialogue on topics that seek to address the long-term, fundamental issues that can bring authority and influence to the Muslim voice.
FRI
25
DEC
Opening Speech
Walking the fine line of ‘Sirat Mustaqeem’ in the West
Seyed Abbas Ayleya, Resident Alim
12:00 PM PST
02:00 PM CST
03:00 PM EST
SUN
27
DEC
Panel Discussion
Tackling Sanctions – Advocating for Shia Religious Freedoms
Seyed Ali Tofigh, Education Chair
Insiya Aziz, Vice Chair
Mohammad Ali Naquvi, Vice President
10:30 AM PST
12:30 PM CST
1:30 PM EST
FRI
25
DEC
Panel Discussion
Faith-based activism: Lessons from Imam Hussain (AS)
Cyrus McGoldrick
Sheikh Jaffer Ladak
Dawud Walid
04:00 PM PST
06:00 PM CST
07:00 PM EST
SUN
27
DEC
Panel Discussion
Know Your Rights
Huma Yasin
Marwa Elbially
Leena Al-Arian
12:30 PM PST
2:30 PM CST
3:30 PM EST
Islamic Education
SAT
26
DEC
Rethinking Our K-12 Quranic Education
The Holy Quran is a book of miraculous words from Allah (S.W.T) where He transfers to us the very soul of the religion of Islam; giving us a sense of purpose by teaching us the best way of life and the reason for our creation. Knowing this, are we using appropriate methods to educate our children on this miraculous book to the fullest potential? Join us as we discuss rethinking Quranic education in the K-12 setting and the new horizons that we can reach together!
Dr. Nahid Nikpour
10:30 AM PST
12:30 PM CST
01:30 PM EST
SAT
26
DEC
Critical Conversations: Identifying and Prioritizing the Needs of Our Islamic Schools
Dr. Johanna Movassat
12:30 PM PST
02:30 PM CST
03:30 PM EST
SUN
27
DEC
Towards Holistic Islamic Education
Sr. Azra Naqvi
Principal
Hadi School of Excellence
12:30 PM PST
2:30 PM CST
3:30 PM EST
MATIN Talks is a speech competition that gives everyone, in particular youth/students, the opportunity to present their passions, creativity, and ideas towards addressing pertinent issues in our society. MATIN Talks is a speech competition that gives everyone, in particular youth/students, the opportunity to present their passions, creativity, and ideas towards addressing pertinent issues in our society.
MATIN Talks National is the event of the year. Held annually during the MSA-PSG conference, MATIN Talks brings juniors and adult competitors together for a head-to-head competition to secure a spot on the main stage. This year, juniors and adults are competing in their own divisions. Join us to hear the finalists from across the country present their amazing ideas and compete for the top prizes.
Junior Division
KEYNOTE:
Role of Muslims in the Society at Large
Sr. Suhaila Zakzaky
05:00 PM PST
07:00 PM CST
08:00 PM EST
SAT
26
DEC
Adult Division
KEYNOTE:
The Legal Fight Against Shia Persecution
AMBA president discusses the global genocide against Shias, U.S. asylum law, as well as extra-judicial methods for enabling relief.
Sr. Salmah Y. Rizvi
05:00 PM PST
07:00 PM CST
08:00 PM EST
SUN
27
DEC
Sisters Workshop
Sisters Only Please · No Recording
Umm Salamah is one of the earliest female Muslims with a rich history both during the Prophet’s life and afterwards, living until shortly after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a). Join us in exploring the richness of her life and the richness of her piety and struggle in the way of Islam. Though she was not a conventional leader, she is a rich source of inspiration in her dedication to values.
SAT
26
DEC
Alternative modes of leadership: One of the earliest Muslimahs, Umm Salamah
Ustadha Fatemah Meghji
10:30 AM PST
12:30 PM CST
01:30 PM EST
ABSA Network
Ahlul-Bayt Student Association Network (ABSA Network) is a ‘Virtual Convention Venue’ for student organizations which follow the teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt (Peace be upon Them) on college and university campuses all over the world, especially across North America. ABSA Network is the central hub between collections of student organizations and aims to connect them all together. This will lead them to work synergistically through the teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS).
Many college campuses are deprived of such student-led initiatives that promote the teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt (PBUT). That is why ABSA Network intends to motivate interested students on campuses to gather and form an organization of their own. This helps those seeking faith-inspired activities while simultaneously building a faith-based community on campus. Last but not least, we want to promote efforts that seek to inform campus communities and society at large of the true, merciful aspect of Islam.
SUN
27
DEC
Following the ahlulbayt: the student experience
Gazina Hussain, President ABSA Network
10:30 AM PST
12:30 PM CST
01:30 PM EST
Marriage Education
Session 1: So You Want to Get Married…
Congrats! Making the decision to get married is a big decision to make, and you’ve made it! But that’s just the first step. As you prepare to embark on this journey, tune into to our workshop with Dr. Saeid Kianpour, RP, as we discuss factors to consider and things to know in order to take steady steps and make the best choice. In short, we hope to make your journey into the unknown … a little less unknown.
Saturday, December 26
10:30 AM PST | 12:30 PM CST | 1:30 PM EST
Dr. Saeid Kianpour
Session 2: So Your Child Wants to Get Married…
You’ve spent years caring for and raising your child, all the while pushing aside the thought—and now it’s staring you in the face. Yup, they said it! Your child told you they want to get married, and questions are spinning in your head. Are they ready for it? Will they know who to pick? Will I lose them forever? Am I ready to be an in-law? All those thoughts are completely natural when you’ve spent a lifetime giving your most precious asset all that you’ve got. But it’s equally true that your legacy will live through them. Join us in a workshop with Dr. Saeed Kianpour, RP, as we go over parental concerns regarding marriage and how to navigate the path.
Saturday, December 26
12:30 PM PST | 02:30 PM CST | 03:30 PM EST
Marriage Education
For the past 50 years, the Muslim Student Association (MSA-PSG) has been in the forefront of Shia Muslim activities in North America. We take pride in our ethnically diverse student body as this quality greatly enhances the nature of our contribution to the community.