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About the Speakers

Imam Omar Suleiman is from New Orleans, Louisiana and has been the Imam of Masjid Abu Bakr there for several years. He has two Bachelor's degrees in Islamic Studies and in Accounting. He studied in the UAE under Ustadh Tariq Rajah and in Jordan under Shaykh Omar Sulayman Al Ashqar. Since 2008, Imam Omar has been under the tutelage of Dr. Salah As-Sawy and Dr. Hatem Al Haj. He teaches online with Mishkah University and a member of the ICNA Shariah Council. Imam Omar worked for ICNA

Relief in Hurricane Katrina and ICNA Relief Louisiana. He was awarded for "Outstanding Civic Achievement" by the Major and City Council of New Orleans in 2010. He obtained his Masters of Islamic Finance with the Institute of Islamic Finance in the UK, and his currently pursuing his PhD in Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Malaysia.

Mufti Hussain Kamani was born and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. After completing the memorization of the Qur'an in Buffalo, New York, he went on a complete rigorous 8-year Alim and 'Ifta course at Darul Uloom Bury located in the United Kingdom. His studies are based on the traditional Darse-Nizami curriculum of Islamic education and under some of the world's greatest scholars such as Shaykh Yusuf Motala and Shaykh Bilal Bawa. Following his graduation with top honors, Mufti Hussain went on to earn his post-graduate degree in Business Management & Strategy at the University

of Coventry (RDI). Currently, he resides in Chicago, is the Imam at Islamic Center of Chicago and holds various programs for Muslim youth. He is also an instructor in the Sacred Learning program headed by Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar and a favorite at Darul Hikmah's Islamic Science programs.

Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans is ALIM's (American Learning Institute for Muslims) first Scholar-in-Residence. He converted to Islam while in high school. Upon conversion, Ustadh Ubaydullah began studying some of the foundational books of Islam under the private tutelage of local scholars while simultaneously pursuing a degree in journalism from Columbia. Since then he has studied at Chicagoland's Institute of Islamic Education (IIE) under the rectorship of Maulana Abdullah Saleem, in Tarim, Yemen, and Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, where he is the first African-American

to graduate from its Shari'a program. Ustadh Ubaydullah also instructs with the Ta'leef Collective and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) at times.

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Asma Hanif is a nurse, community health activist, a professor, student and entrepreneur. In 2005 she was elected as the first female Chairperson of the Coordinating Council Muslim Organizations, (CCMO) of DC/MD/VA. She is presently operating a holistic health center, mentoring Coppin State University nurse-practitioner students, providing, and organizing volunteer health services in public schools, providing health services to marginalized communities and individuals, as well as organizing community based

outreach programs.

Dr. Hassan Elwan originally from Egypt, he came to the US in 1997 to complete a Ph.D. program at THE Ohio State University. He was the MSA president at OSU and was one of the founders of Ansar Relief, a refugee aid organization based in Ohio. He obtained his PhD in microelectronic in 2001 and is currently working in the field of chip design in southern California. He is also with Orange County Islamic Foundation and is active with many Islamic organizations in the field of da'wah and Islamic education.

Arsalan Iftikhar is a Legal Fellow at ISPU, global media commentator and founder of TheMuslimGuy.com. Additionally, Arsalan is a regular weekly political commentator/legal analyst for the National Public Radio (NPR) show "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin and he is also a regular contributing writer for Esquire Magazine (Middle East edition) and CNN Anderson Cooper 360 on domestic and international issues affecting our world today. His interviews, commentaries and analyses have regularly appeared in virtually every major media outlet around the world. Arsalan

graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999 and received his law doctorate from Washington University School of Law in 2003. A native of Chicago, he specializes in international human rights law and is licensed to practice law in Washington DC.

Hosai Mojaddidi is the co-founder of MH4M (Mental Health for Muslims). She has been actively involved with the Muslim community in the San Francisco Bay Area and southern California for nearly 20 years. Working for several non-profit organizations and schools including Islamic Study School, Zaytuna Institute, Islamic Networks Groups, Peace Terrace Academy, and Northstar School she has worked in various administrative and leadership capacities as well as a Qur'an teacher and lecturer. She also volunteered her time with other local and internationally recognized

groups. Through her years of work and activism, as well as her monthly halaqas, Ustadha Hosai has been able to gauge the mental health issues of the larger community firsthand by serving as a private mediator, advisor and mentor to many.

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About the Performers

Brother Dash is an author, writer, and poet whose work focuses on identity, culture, society, love, gender dynamics and spirituality. As a poet he has performed at conferences such as Global Peace & Unity for 25,000 in London and at the British Library to universities such as Yale, NYU, and Rutgers to events and concerts such as MuslimFest in Canada, ISNA and others. He has been a subject on two BBC specials, featured on Al-Arabiya, Islam Channel, Ebru TV and interviewed on several radio stations around

the globe. He has released three albums of poetry, published several articles and is now working on his first novel. He can be reached on the usual social media spaces under brotherdash and via his website www.brotherdash.com.

Mouaz Al-Nass, of Syrian descent, was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He studied Inshad (religious songs) and Maqamat under foremost munshideen in Syria while completing a degree in Management Information Systems. As an expert singer and drummer, Mouaz has been involved in may musical performances in the USA, UK, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Mouaz also studied tajweed and Fiqh under his father Shaykh Samir al-Nass.

Baraka Blue is an emcee, spoken word artist, and author residing in Oakland, California. A member of the Remarkable Current Musicians Collective, Baraka Blue has performed all over the US as well as the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. In addition to his performances he has taught classes and led creative writing workshops internationally. Baraka Blue is currently pursuing his Masters Degree with a focus on Sufism and Psychology. He is also a cultural ambassador and tours with Remarkable

Current's Hip Hop Ambassadors program through US Embassies around the world.

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All Timings Listed are Central Standard Time (New York Time Minus 1 Hour)

Register to View the Program Online at www.CelebrateMercy.com/Balance

Bonus: Online Viewers Receive 10-Day Access to All Recordings

Friday’s Sessions Only: FREE Livestream Friday Khutba and Opening Session

View at www.CelebrateMercy.com/live

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Jummah Prayer 1:10-1:45 p.m. Khateeb: Imam Omar Suleiman "By their Fruits, Ye Shall Know Them" Men & Women Around the Messenger (صص) One of the greatest proofs of the Prophet Muhammad (صص) are the people he left behind. As a "walking Quran," he transformed everyone around him with his light and character, making allies out of staunch enemies, saints out of slaves, and martyrs out of war criminals. On-Site Registration 5:30-9:30 p.m. Location: MAS Center

Dinner 6:30-7:30 p.m. Location: MAS Gym Maghrib Prayer 7:30 p.m. Location: MAS Building Qur’an Recitation & Opening Remarks 7:50-8:20 p.m. Shoeb Sadiq; Spring Camp Co-Heads & CelebrateMercy Location: MAS Banquet Hall Spring Camp Preview 8:20-9:00 p.m. Spoken Word by Brother Dash Short talks by Hassan Elwan and Hosai Mojaddidi Keynote Address 9:00-9:30 p.m. Speaker: Imam Omar Suleiman Endangered Sunnahs Forgotten Pillars of the Prophet (صص)'s Character There are character traits of the Prophet that are often the most neglected. But they contain they keys to a more fulfilling life, as individuals, families and communities. Spoken Word & Nasheed Performance 9:30 p.m. Baraka Blue and Mouaz al-Nass Isha Prayer 9:45 p.m. Entertainment Sessions 10:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m. Brothers: Open Gym Location: Brookens Gym Sisters: Sisters Social/Open Mic Night Location: Asian American Cultural Center

Friday, April 11th

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Fajr Prayer 5:45 a.m. Location: CIMIC On-Site Registration & Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union Open Q & A with Speakers 9:15 a.m. Omar Suleiman, Hosai Mojaddidi & Hassan Elwan Location: 314 A/B Illini Union What Would You Do? Ethical Dilemmas Before lectures begin, conference attendees will be asked how they would respond in controversial scenarios that pose ethical dilemmas. We will then turn to our panelists for their advice. Get ready for a very exciting and thought-provoking dialogue!

Main Session I Qu’ran Recitation by Osama Basheer Speaker: Imam Omar Suleiman 10:00-10:45 a.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union Developing a Personal Relationship with God: Prophetic Lessons from Mecca In Mecca, the Prophet (صص) equipped the early Muslims with spiritual tools that transformed them into spiritual giants. Giants whose very lives were threatened, names insulted, and bodies tortured, while remaining steadfast in their relationship with God. In this session, we will learn how to develop a personal relationship with Allah that will anchor us in all of life's storms. Moderator: Hafsa Siddiqui Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass

Saturday, April 12th

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Main Session II Speaker: Imam Omar Suleiman and Hosai Mojaddidi 11:00 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union Panel Discussion: The Unhappy Modern Muslimah & the Male Response For nearly five decades there has been an increasing downward trend of happiness among western women despite their many advances professionally, politically, and economically. What are the potential spiritual causes, implications, and ramifications of this decline? Can women redefine and find true happiness and still “have it all”? Where does companionship fit in? After Ustadha Hosai's presentation, we will then hear Imam Omar Suleiman's response from the male perspective before opening it up for a lively discussion with the audience. Moderator: Uzma Ahmad Poetry Performance by Baraka Blue Lunch 12:20-1:30 p.m. Dhuhr 1:30 p.m. Location: Main Quad

Main Session III

Qu’ran Recitation by Yousha Siddiqui Speaker: Hassan Elwan 2:00-2:50 p.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union How Does One Love the Prophet (صص)? We learn that we should love the Prophet (صص) more than our families and our own selves but how do we make that a reality in our daily lives? Even though the Prophet has passed away physically, can we still connect to him spiritually? Moderator: Zuheir Kotob Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass

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Main Session IV Speaker: Hosai Mojaddidi 3:00-3:50 p.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union Know Yourself to Know God & His Messenger (صص) How do we know Allah (swt)? Can we strengthen our relationship with Him if we don’t have a strong grasp of ourselves? Where is the starting point in knowing ourselves, so we can better know our Lord? Moderator: Uzma Ahmad Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass

Main Session V Speakers: Arsalan Iftikhar & Hassan Elwan 4:00-4:50 p.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union Repelling Evil with Good: Prophetic Responses to Hate A cornerstone of Prophetic behavior is to repel evil with good. His universal kindness and calmness, even during perilous storms, transformed everyone around him. In our modern context, how can we respond as individuals and communities when hatred is shown to us, our faith, and our Prophet (صص)? Moderator: Nabiya Arshad Poetry Performance by Baraka Blue

Main Session VI Speakers: Asma Hanif & Hosai Mojaddidi 5:00-6:00 p.m. Location: 314 A/B Illini Union Finding Peace through the Comforter (صص): The Sunnah of Service We live in a day and age where narcissism is on the rise and empathy on the decline. What lessons can we learn from the life of the Best of Humanity about the importance of caring for others, serving others, and creating a culture of communal healing that benefits all? Sisters Hosai and Asma Hanif will not only discuss these Prophetic principles but also draw from experiences in their own work in counseling and social work. Moderator: Eqra Sattar Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass

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Asr Prayer 5:50 p.m. Location: Main Quad *Carpool Pickup: If you need a ride to the MAS Center, please be at the front of the Illini Union (Green St.) at 6:15 p.m. sharp in order to be accommodated inshAllah. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Location: MAS Gym Maghrib Prayer 7:30 p.m. Location: MAS Building

Main Session VII Speakers: Hassan Elwan 7:50-8:50 p.m. Location: MAS Banquet Hall The Soul Behind the Sunnah: The Heart of the Prophet (صص) When discussing the Sunnah, Muslims often focus on the Prophet's outward practices: how he dressed, worshipped, and governed. However, without properly understanding the Prophet's essence, his heart and intentions, we can grossly miss the whole objective of his message. This talk will discuss incidents from the Prophet's life that reveal the inward aspects, the Heart, of the Sunnah that we often overlook. Moderator: Zuheir Kotob Poetry Performance by Baraka Blue Isha Prayer 9:10 p.m. Bonfire Entertainment 9:30 p.m. Performances by Brother Dash, Ustadha Hosai, Mouaz Al-Nass & Baraka Blue Seerah Stories by Hassan Elwan and Mufti Kamani

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Fajr Prayer 5:45 a.m. Location: CIMIC On-Site Registration & Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Location: 141 Wohlers Hall Open Q & A with Speakers 9:15 a.m. Mufti Kamani, Hosai Mojaddidi & Hassan Elwan Location: 141 Wohlers Hall What Would You Do? Ethical Dilemmas Before lectures begin, conference attendees will be asked how they would respond in controversial scenarios that pose ethical dilemmas. We will then turn to our panelists for their advice. Get ready for a very exciting and thought-provoking dialogue!

Main Session VIII Qu’ran Recitation by Owais Siddiqui Speaker: Mufti Kamani 10:10-11:00 a.m. Location: 141 Wohlers Hall Love & the Beloved: The Prophet (صص) as a Spouse and a Father Let's take a journey inside the Prophet (صص) 's home. How did he interact with his wives, children, and grandchildren? How did he handle challenges within his own family? How can we strive for a more Prophetic home? Moderator: Shoeb Sadiq Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass

Sunday, April 13th

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Main Session IX Speaker: Ubaydullah Evans 11:10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Location: 141 Wohlers Hall Turbans & Bowties: Exploring Hassan bin Thabit - Where Culture & Sunnah Meet "Say (O Prophet): If you truly love God, then follow me." What does following the Prophet (صص) mean? In the west, does the Sunnah equate with social awkwardness? Should it define how we act, eat, look and dress? This talk will address these questions in light of the story of Hassan bin Thabit, the Prophet (صص) 's poet. Moderator: Ahamed Milhan Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass

Main Session X

Speakers: Asma Hanif, Hosai Mojaddidi, 12:20-1:10 p.m. Hassan Elwan, & Ubaydullah Evans Location: 141 Wohlers Hall Timeless Gems from the Prophet (صص)'s Life In this farewell session, speakers will each choose one incident from the Prophet (صص)'s life that contains deep lessons for our post-conference lives. Moderator: Nabiya Arshad Nasheed Performance by Mouaz al-Nass Closing Statements and Du’aa 1:20 p.m. Spring Camp Co-Heads and CelebrateMercy; Hassan Elwan Location: 141 Wohlers Hall Dhuhr 1:35 p.m. Location: South Quad Spring Camp BBQ 2:00-6:00 p.m. Location: Illini Grove

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Venues

Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC) 106 S. Lincoln Ave. (entrance on Busey Ave.)

Urbana, IL 61801

MAS Center 2011 Brownfield Rd.

Urbana, IL 61802

Illini Union 1401 W. Green St. Urbana, IL 61801

Brookens Gym 1776 E. Washington St., Pod 400

Urbana, IL 61802

Asian American Cultural Center 1210 W. Nevada St. Urbana, IL 61801

Wohlers Hall 1206 S. Sixth St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Illini Grove Corner of Lincoln & Pennsylvania Ave.

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Parking at Spring Camp

From 5:00 p.m. Friday through 6:00 a.m. Monday, the following lots are available for parking free of charge: -Lot B-1 on Springfield Avenue between Goodwin and Mathews (5 min walk to Illini Union) -Lot C09 on Chalmers and Sixth (5 min walk to Illini Union) From 2:00 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Sunday, the CIMIC Parking Lot will be available for parking free of charge for all out of town guests. *YOU MUST OBTAIN A PASS TO PARK AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE.*

Places to Eat on Campus (all locations are within walking distance of the Illini Union)

Mia Za’s 629 E. Green St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Antonio’s Pizza 619 E. Green St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Casablanca Kabob House (serves zabiha)

623 E. Green St. Champaign, IL 61820

Flat Top Stir-Fry Grill

607 S. 6th St. Champaign, IL 61820

Chipotle Mexican Grill

528 E. Green St. Champaign, IL 61820

Noodles & Co. 528 E. Green St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Potbelly’s Sandwich Works 501 E. Green St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Lai Lai Wok 402 E. Green St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Ambar India (serves zabiha)

605 S. Wright St. Champaign, IL 61820

Panera Bread

616 E. Green St. Champaign, IL 61820

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Acknowledgements We would like to thank our volunteers without whom this weekend would not have been

possible:

Shura Zuheir Kotob

Nabiya Arshad Shoeb Sadiq Eqra Sattar

Uzma Ahmad Ahamed Milhan Hafsa Siddiqui

Hospitality

Heads Irma Raouf

Habib Bilfaqi Aamina Khan

Akram Ibrahim

Publicity/Media Team

Sidra Ismail Amna Owais

Akram Ibrahim

Registration Shazia Siddiqi

Bilal Khan Sarah Safe

Zahra Siddiqui Shayaq Masood Junaid Sandozi

Sarah Bakir Mazen Syed Najah Bhatty

Food/BBQ

Dolly Ahmad Gehad Taha

Fayyaz Ahmed Ahmad Shams Mudassir Khan

Umama Mahmud Haleema Sadia

Ahsan Ali

Haadi Shakir Mohammad

Salem Sidra Ismail Aisha Saqib Saher Khan Marya Jan

Mohsin Ismail Thair al-Saqri

Rameez Siddiqui Irfan Vora

Arsal Manzoor Usman Hussain

Daanish Siddiqui Ahmad ElKhatib Shahzad Ahmad

Decorations Bana Zayyad Zoya Siddiqui

Zohah Beg Fatima Khan

Yasmeen Nadhimi Zarin Sultana

Abhiya Ahmed Asif Bhat

Fizzah Hasan

T-Shirt Omar Dawood Omar Ahmed

Momina Shaikh Aminah Darabu Owais Siddiqui Akram al Masri

Sisters

Entertainment Loujain Fouly Gehad Taha

Umama Mahmud Aminah Darabu

Saher Khan

Brothers Entertainment Muzammil Ali Mudassir Ali

Waleed Aldadah

Security Mahmoud

ElRakhawy Mohammad ElRakhawy Atef Kotob

Layla Fattash Maha Tolba

Sameha Martini

Recitation Shoeb Sadiq

Owais Siddiqui Yousha Siddiqui Osama Basheer

Mohammad Manasra

Bonfire

Omar Ahmed Ahmad Shams

Ahmad Hamdan Mudassir Khan

Set-Up Crew Sana Khadri Zarin Sultana Huda Mirza

Alonso Avila Amish Khan Sarah Safe Sarah Bakir

Usaid Siddiqui Haris Rehman

Atif Uddin Fera Aisyah

Akram al Masri Momina Shaikh

Maha Anwar Samra Matin Zaid Ahmed

Ahmed Abouhessein Aroob Askari

Fariha

Driving Committee

Ahmad Shams Atef Kotob Aisha Saqib Gehad Taha Marya Jan

Usman Hussain