Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

Thanks Hinna for the ticket info and Fayz for the offer to pick them up. I have to set some concrete plans about what's happening over the holidays cuz my cousin is supposed to be coming in to New York and I may drive out to see him.

I think I will be going to the dinner with Hamza Yusuf though........unless someone in the other thread convinces me without a doubt that he's not worth it. (Btw, I'm rallying to get a table full of folks for the dinner so if any of you are interested let me know.)

I will let you know about the conference as soon as my plans are finalized.

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

^ Muzna..hehe I just saw your signature!

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

Zakir Naik is not speaking much at this lecture, which kinda sucks.

Time Pass foR Poetry
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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

Zakir Naik is amazing. Mashallah!

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

Guys one question? Is the seating arrangement during lectures segregated gender wise?

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

i wanna go too :(

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

then come!!!

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

All previous conferences have had the following seating arrangements:
-a section for sisters
-a section for brothers
-a section for families

playing tennis racquet and badminton
playing tennis racquet and badminton
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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

This year's food services are a reflection of the diverse tastes within Toronto's Muslim community.

From spicy Biriyani from the Indian subcontinent, to Arabian Shwarmas handmade right before your eyes, to Pizza and Burgers for the traditional tastes, attendees will have an unprecedented selection of items to keep your satiated.

There is something for everyone at very reasonable prices:

Food:
SHWARMA $4.25
BURGERS $3.75
BIRYANI $5.00
Pizza $2.00

Beverages:
Pop Can(355ml) $1.25
Water(591ml) $1.50
Juice(473ml) $2.00

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

yea its great jassoos, we don’t even have that here…:grumpy:

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

Just got back …

what an amazing experience. I sat through lecture after lecture and I wasn’t bored once. What a surprise! :halo: The speakers were able to keep me engaged the entire time.

The knowledge of these scholars is just astounding. They certainly know their stuff.

This evening, I enjoyed the lecture on “Islam and Democracy”, by Dr. Tareq Suwaidan, the best. I actually agreed with everything he had to say about the ideal Islamic society. sigh If only, inshallah, one day we will actually see it on earth. His point on “one haram does not make another thing haram” was a riot. :hehe:

The question and answer session with Dr. Zakir Naik … :eek: … the way he handled those questions and was able to quote immediately, texts and scriptures from Hindu holy books, the Torah, the Bible … he is absolutely right when he says that if you want to understand people and their beliefs, go to the original source, the Quran, the Hindu scriptures, the Bible, etc. … go to these sources directly in order to learn where others come from. He handled all the questions really well. :k: I just wish he had more time on stage.

It was a delight to see Hamza Yusuf live in person. Although I am already quite familiar with the topic of his discussion, Muslim civilization in Spain/Morocco, it was still quite interesting to hear his understanding of history.

The bazaar is fairly small, but I was still able to get some good books, nasheed CDs and DVDs.

By the way, parking is only $10 for the day. It’s not expensive at all.

All in all, it has been a beneficial event to attend. I went to ISNA earlier this year, and I can say without a doubt that RIS is much better organized. Perhaps this is because it is still smaller compared to ISNA. I just like the fact that they have excellent scholars giving lectures who actually engage the audience and there is only one lecture at a time, compared to ISNA where there would be multiple lectures going on at once and you have no idea which one to attend.

I look forward to tomorrow’s lectures and Monday’s concert.

Does anybody know what time the concert begins? They previewed Sami Yusuf’s new video this evening, and it’s so nice. I can’t wait to hear him live.

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

salamz,

I concur with MehnazQ. An amazingly great event. All three days mashaAllah.

My main attraction was Sh. Hamzah Yusuf and Dr. Naik, and again they did a splendid job mashaAllah. I like Hamzah Yusuf's style. He keeps the audience live, and he mashaAllah has great knowledge.

Dr. Naik, well, what can i say. We all know. MashaAllah, he is just too good. He gives references from other religious scriptures to prove his points. The way he deals with the questions leaves the person in awe. The way he answered the question, "why muslims don't believe Jesus PBUH died on cross", was just incredible. He picks up a verse from bible and gives the answer to the person (a christian -- atleast thats what it seemed from the name).

Overall, i would say the event was very beneficial for me. All the speeches were inspirational. Enjoyed the whole time i was there. Didn't even go to the booths once coz i didn't wanna miss a thing :).

Can't wait to go to the concert tomorrow inshaAllah. It starts at 12pm...and ends at 5pm. A little early i would say, will have to get up early i guess...... oh well... Sami yusuf and Raihan..... :)

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

Mashallah, I'm glad to see that you two enjoyed yourself. :) Unfortunately I was unable to attend the conference due to a family situation, but Alhamdulilah, Allah is the Best of Planners.

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Re: Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference Dec 23-29 in Toronto

i also went to the conference..for the first 2 days that is...great speakers...amazing....some moments were hmmm...strange, i guess....when one moulana speaker did his lecture and at the end pple were clapping...but then he said it is not good to clap, since in the earlier times pple used to clap and whistle while walking around the kaabbah (nonmuslims) worshipping their idols (something like that...)..so then no once clapped when introducing the next speaker....but during her speach and after , pple were clapping and cheering again.....i didnt get that....so now tell me...are we supposed to clap or not??confusing eh....

...the second day i sat in the back, and when they had their lunch break me and my cousin sat alll the way in the front row (im surprised those seats were "saved"..but thats a whole story altogether....)...so im sitting there minding my own business, and then all of a sudden they started to make a VIP area around me...they told a lot of pple to move and let the VIP pple sit t here...but for some reason didnt tell me to leave....well, while Dr Tarek was giving his lecture about freedom and democracy (great speach by the way)..i guessed the volunteers noticed i wasnt VIP (didnt have those special tags)...one volunteer was being a rude ***** and was telling us to leave, but i was like i'll wait until the lecture is over thank you very much...but this other volunteer was nice...she let us stay....thank god i sat there...i loved that lecture...(as im writing this, im asking myself what is the point of this little story....well...no point...im bored here at work....)

I cant believe a lot of pple didnt pay for the ticket...i think they said there were 10000 pple there, and only 7000 pple paid..thats sad..i coudl see how this could have happened...the volunteers never checked pple goign in and out...(i think until after the annoucnement was made, then t hey did)...at first i thou ght 45 bucks was a lot..then i realised for 3 days...not too bad at all...15 bucks per day...but they could have gotten better food...or better organization....lines were too long..especially the first day..i bought my own food the next day....

the stalls were good...a lot of muslim urban clothing stuff...wow..i bought some muslim gear....a baseball hat for my hubby....

overall the experience was good..i was a first timer..and i look forward into going next year.. and i must add.....malcolm x's daughter was really good....i hope she comes next year....