This past February, Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York, hosted its 30th Anniversary Banquet at the Grand Prospect Hall in celebration of the legacy of Muslims in New York. An atmosphere of unity, empowerment, and resilience was present, as more than 450 guests attended our banquet; including diverse congregations from several mosques, community leaders, partners and allies, elected officials, students, and activists. It was a celebratory night that promised more dedication towards serving our community and the society at large.
After some Quran recitation, the night began with a welcoming message from the President of Majlis Ash-Shura, Dr. Abdelhafidh Djemil. He reminded the attendees that the role, responsibility, and duty of Muslim leaders is to always think about the future while in submission to Allah. The community must face its challenges together as a point of solidarity. He reiterated the need for a unified vision for the Muslim community when preparing for the future, and that Majlis Ash-Shura of New York should spearhead these visions for implementation. Click here to watch the welcoming message.
Oussama Jammal, the Secretary General of the member organization, the US Council of Muslim Organizations, also shared his vision for the role of the USCMO on the national level and the role of Shura Councils in strengthening it. Click here to watch Oussama Jammal’s address.
Oussama Jammal, Secretary General
The first keynote speech of the night was given by Immigration Attorney, Dr. Khalilah Sabra who gave a very personal account about her conversion to Islam. She spoke of how she was drawn to the swiftness in which Muslims sought to help their fellow brothers and sisters in faith prior to converting. She courageously highlighted the tragic story of the Holy Land Foundation Five, and the need for the Muslim community to return to effective organization and action on behalf of those wrongly treated by the American justice system. Click here to watch the speech.
Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid followed Dr. Sabra with an invigorating talk about the need to strive for justice for the Black community in America. He recounted the history of Majlis Ash-Shura of New York and its dedication to empowering the impoverished in our community. The imam emphasized the importance of true unity within the Muslim community to effectively overcome these challenges.
Watch the speech here.
Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, followed by delivering an address to the Muslim community reassuring his commitment in being an ally for the community against Islamophobia and the Trump presidency.
Click here to watch Eric Adam’s address.
Muslim, Muslimah, and Young New Yorker of the Year Awards Ceremony
The function proceeded to the awards ceremony, where 3 individuals were awarded after being voted by their community for their stellar work. Mohamed Bahe, Batool Chaudhry, and Saleem Rahim were honored and recognized as the Muslim, Muslimah, and Young New Yorkers of the year, respectively. The late Shameem Siddique was also recognized posthumously for his legacy in being a founding member of Majlis Ash-Shura and many other grassroots organizations. Click here to watch the Awards Ceremony.
The banquet was graced with the presence of the nationally renowned Imam Omar Suleiman, as he addressed a captivated audience about the importance of supporting Muslim organizations, and investing time into developing solutions. He honored the legacy of leaders who sacrificed for the benefit of others even when it came at their own expense. “They served this community before there were award banquets, they served this community before the Muslim community could afford banquet halls,” he said.
Click here to watch the speech.
Raja Abdulhaq, the Executive Director of Majlis Ash-Shura of New York, provided a detailed overview of Majlis Ash-Shura of New York’s goals for the coming years. These include: empowering youth and women leaders through training, providing leadership symposiums, uplifting smaller mosques, and aiding in the development of Muslim- led institutions with fund development, public relations, and media training. Raja reiterated the unique role the Majlis plays in centralizing the community’s interests in an effective manner.
Click here to watch the video.
Dr. Yasir Qadhi concluded the night of the banquet with an important reminder regarding the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He emphasized the need to celebrate our legacy by upholding the values and principles of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions. Such as, the principles of truth and the virtues of justice even when it remains to be the most difficult thing for one to do, and even if one is oppressed for doing so in standing up for the right cause.
Watch the speech here.