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21st Annual Imams’ Conference: Contemporary Issues in Political and Human Rights Engagement and Social Activism

Discounted Registration Closes: May 15th, 2025
Registration Deadline: July 15th, 2025, or registration maximum capacity reached

Topics for the Upcoming Conference on
Contemporary Issues in Political and Human Rights Engagement and Social Activism

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مواضيع مؤتمر أمجا الحادي و العشرون للأئمة
نوازل العمل السياسي والحقوقي والنشاط الإجتماعي

Topic One: The Shariah Foundations of Political Participation and Social Activism in Non-Muslim Societies

This section addresses the Islamic legal basis for Muslim political participation and social activism in the West, covering:

  1. The Shariah foundation for political participation and social activism.
  2. Ethical guidelines in political disputes.
  3. Balancing political engagement, social activism, and religious outreach.
  4. The principles of allegiance and disavowal (al-walaa’ wa al-baraa’), rulings on territories (ahkaam al-diyaar), and their applications in political participation.
  5. Challenges in selecting the most suitable candidates and dealing with elected officials.
  6. Guidelines for parliamentary engagement.
  7. The role of Zakat funds in political participation and social activism

Topic Two : Cooperation and Participation in Pluralistic Societies—Parameters and Applications

This section examines the parameters for cooperation with non-Muslims in pluralistic societies and mechanisms for achieving positive participation, including:

  1. The legal basis for cooperation in righteousness and piety (al-birr wa al-taqwa) in the political domain.
  2. The concept of positive integration and disciplined adaptation within the broader civilizational framework.
  3. Strategic goals of political participation—balancing aspirations and realistic possibilities.
  4. Terrorism: Its definition and contemporary manifestations.
  5. Prioritizing issues for Muslim communities between local vs. global concerns.
  6. Engagement in political parties, voting, and political lobbying groups.
  7. Holding political, governmental, or security positions while adhering to religious commitments.
  8. Proposing a “National Covenant” to define the rights and responsibilities of Muslims residing in the West.

Topic Three: The Fiqh of Balancing Interests in Political and Social Activism

This section focuses on applying the principles of balancing interests (fiqh al-muwaazanaat) and choosing the lesser of two harms in contemporary political issues facing Muslims in the West, for example:

  1. The fiqh of balancing interests—principles and applications in political work.
  2. Ethical guidelines and principles for online activism.
  3. Handling sensitive issues—case studies on abortion and homosexuality.
  4. Degrees and manifestations of economic and political boycotts.
  5. Dealing with misinformation and propaganda in social activism.

Topic Four: Intellectual Pluralism and Its Impact on Political Participation

This section explores the concept of intellectual pluralism and its legal foundations, covering:

  1. The difference between political pluralism and sectarian partisanship—concepts, legal foundations, and applications.
  2. The impact of intellectual and political pluralism on political participation (e.g., Sunni vs. Shia, Sufism vs. Salafism).

Post-Conference Workshops

Date: Monday, August 25th, 2025 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
  • Effective Political and Civil Rights Engagement for Imams
    Description:
    This practical workshop equips Imams to engage confidently in political and civil rights work. Topics include understanding the roles of local, state, and federal government, building strategic relationships, addressing civic issues from the minbar, and mobilizing communities for advocacy and voter participation. Designed for Imams seeking to lead with clarity and impact in today’s public arena.

    Presenter:
    Speaker1:
    Robert McCaw


    Speaker2    :
    TBD

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  • Imam 2.0: Leveraging AI to Enhance Islamic Leadership
    Description:
    This hands-on workshop empowers Imams to integrate cutting-edge AI tools into their daily work—from khutbah preparation and community outreach to research, translation, and content creation. Participants will explore trusted tools, learn to spot misinformation, and develop a customized plan to responsibly use AI in Islamic settings. Laptop required; practical activities throughout.

    Presenters
    Dr. Waleed Kadous

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Description:

As religious leaders, Imams in the US should have a general understanding of the legal issues that affect their congregations and communities. Here are some important legal issues that imams need to be educated about in the US:

  1. First Amendment: Imams should be familiar with the rights and protections under First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion and freedom speech. They should be aware of the legal protections afforded to religious practices and be prepared to advocate for their center’s and congregants' religious freedom. Additionally, Imams should understand the basics of protected speech, unprotected speech, and the parameters of them.
  2. Civil rights: Imams should understand that the community members have basic civil rights that protect them from discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability, and other factors. They should also be aware of what resources and organizations that offer additional assistance in this field.
  3. Immigration law: With immigration law standards ever-evolving, Imams should have a topical knowledge of the community needs for immigration services. They should also be aware of the challenges facing undocumented immigrants and be prepared to provide referrals and resources to these individuals.
  4. Family law: Imams often get called upon to provide guidance and support in family law matters, such as marriage, divorce, and custody disputes. They should be familiar with the legal requirements and procedures in these areas and be able to provide counsel (within the realm of Sharia acceptance) and referrals to legal professionals as needed. The Imams should also understand their obligations to protect youth and children, in their capacity as mandated reporters of abuse and exploitation.
  5. Other Common Civil Claims:
    1. Defamation: Imams should be aware of the potential legal consequences of making false statements that harm an individual's reputation. Imams should be cautious when making statements about individuals, particularly public figures, and avoid making statements that are knowingly false or recklessly made.
    2. Copyright Law: Imams should be aware of copyright laws when sharing or using materials created by others. They should ensure that they have the appropriate permissions or licenses to use copyrighted materials, such as music or videos, in their sermons or other communications.
    3. Privacy: Imams should be aware of the privacy rights of individuals and ensure that they are not sharing private information about individuals without their consent.
      Cybersecurity: Imams should be aware of the potential risks of using electronic communication methods and take steps to protect themselves and their congregations from cyber threats such as hacking, phishing, and identity theft.

Presenter:

Mohamed Al-Darsani, Wafed Ahdali

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Description:

  • The mental health of community members is a critical issue that Imams cannot ignore. As trusted community leaders, Imams can play a significant role in promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and providing support to those who are struggling with mental health issues. This workshop is designed to provide Imams with the knowledge and skills they need to support their community members in maintaining good mental health.

  • In this workshop, Imams will learn:

    1. The basics of mental health and common mental health issues.
    2. Common mental health issues: Discussing common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    3. How to recognize warning signs of mental health issues in community members.
    4. How to make your masjid or office a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals with mental health issues through inclusive language, staff training, policies and procedures, and fostering a culture of acceptance
    5. Strategies for reducing stigma surrounding mental health in the Muslim community.
    6. The importance of self-care for Imams and the congregation.
    7. How to collaborate with mental health professionals and make appropriate referrals.
    8. Crisis intervention strategies and suicide prevention.

This workshop will be led by mental health professionals with expertise in Islamic counseling.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in group discussions to share their experiences and learn from each other.

By the end of this workshop, Imams will be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and provide support to those who are struggling with mental health issues in their communities.

Presenters:

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Fees & Guidelines

Main Conference (August 22-24, 2025)

* Completed and paid registration Includes:

  • Complimentary Shared Room Accommodations (2 per room) (Friday & Saturday nights only)
  • Meals starting Friday night until Sunday dinner (7 meals). Unregistered dependents and guests are not included. $95 meals’ vouchers can be purchased separately per dependent.
Registration Completed and paid by Imams Student of Knowledge
Early Birds May 15th $175 $225
Regular May 16th - June 30th $250 $300
Late July 1st - July 15th $350 $400
Very Late After July 15th (No Hotel Room) $350 $400

  • Unpaid registrations will not be held and will be discarded.

  • To attend, a new registration will be required. Fees will be determined based on the date of completed payment, not the date of the unpaid registration.

  • Registration after deadline of July 15th will be allowed on case by case with valid excuse and within strict time window. No hotel room will be made available.

  • Registration fees are not tied to hotel accommodations and will not be adjusted based on lodging arrangements.

Post-Conference workshop (August 25th, 2025)

Monday post-conference workshops: $190 for Imams and Students of Knowledge. Includes:

  • Shared room accommodation on Sunday night (August 24th) only.
  • Meals starting Sunday night until Monday noon
  • Workshop material

Hotel Accomodation

  • Complimentary hotel accommodations, as detailed above, are available for out-of-town attendees who register by the deadline. 'Out-of-town' is defined as residing more than 30 miles from the venue.
  • Participants must reserve hotel rooms as needed. No rooms will be automatically reserved, including complementary rooms.
  • Rooms reservation must be completed and submitted by July 15th, 2025
  • Extra charges apply for extra stay or private room
  • AMJA guarantees accommodation ONLY for those who registered and paid before deadline.
  • AMJA can accommodate roommate requests only if requested partner consents, and both attendees are arriving and departing on same days. Roommate request will be available for reservations before August 16th. Requested roommate must have been registered and paid before the deadline.

Lecture Hall Accessibility:

  • Access to the lecture hall requires a visible conference badge.
  • Dependents accompanying attendees are not permitted inside the lecture hall.
  • No children under 16 years of age are allowed in conference halls. No accommodations for childcare will be provided.
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