Dear Friends,
Greetings of Peace (al salamu ‘alaykum)! I pray you are as well as can be expected in our challenging times, especially after the conclusion of our national elections here in America. So much to be said, to be processed, to be kind to ourselves over. But the hard work must continue to resist, to fight, and to create goodness in the world. Now more than ever, as the forces of darkness have been super-powered, so must we be in preparing for the long, good fight. May God help, strengthen and empower us all.
I am so pleased and excited to share that we have just uploaded the videos from our First Annual Usuli Conference for you to watch, share and enjoy! Especially in times like these, it is important to feed your soul with knowledge, love and laughter, of which there was abundance at the conference alhamdulillah (thank God)! If you were not able to make it this year, now you can see the spirit, substance, and good humor that came alive in our gathering. It was even more special in person so I hope you will be encouraged to join us at next year’s conference insha’Allah (God willing)!
Special thanks to the Usuli Team, especially Dr. Rami Koujah, our Master of Ceremonies, whose gift of dry humor deserves its own reward, alhamdulillah!
1st Annual USULI Conference, Oct. 11-12, 2024
0:00 Grace Song opens ceremonies
9:43 Qur'an Recitation
21:33 Calls to Prayer
28:33 First Khutbah
1:05:22 Second Khutbah
Part II: Project Illumine: The Light of the Prophet
0:00 Introduction
5:15 Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl on Project Illumine II: The Light of the Prophet
1:08:28 Audience Q&A
Part III: The Gaza Genocide and Problem of Political Tyranny in the Islamic World
0:00 Crowd Work and Introductions
7:30 Dr. Nader Hashemi
36:50 Dr. Abdullah Alaoudh
53:30 Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl
1:20:20 Additional Remarks
1:38:50 Q&A begins
0:00 Crowd Work and Introductions
9:05 The History of the Concept of "Usuli" with Khaled Abou El Fadl
33:20 Our Usuli Journey with Grace Song
1:04:57 Jana Al-Akhras, Honored Speaker
1:29:10 Justice is served (LOL)
1:38:50 Supporting Usuli
1:51:51 Goodbyes
BOOK TALK: THE PALESTINE SERMONS!
Have you purchased your copy of our latest book, The Palestine Sermons yet? :)
Earlier this month, Dr. Abou El Fadl and Dr. Mahan Mirza, Visiting Vice President for Academic Affairs of the American Islamic College (AIC), had a fabulous talk about it! Check it out!
This is an important book to share with friends, family, fellow Muslims in these dark times. With a powerful Foreword by Dr. Farah El-Sharif and a moving introduction by Editor- in-Chief Josef Linnhoff, this volume is the balm and medicine for the Muslim soul in the age of genocide.
“The present work…offers an original contribution to the extensive literature on Israel-Palestine. There is perhaps no other work that engages the conflict from a distinctly Islamic theological perspective, nor in the context of a collection of sermons…The result is a volume that deepens our understanding not just of the Palestine question, but of the Islamic message itself.” - Josef Linnhoff in the Introduction to the volume.
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I have been grappling with what I can do to make a difference as it feels the world is on the precipice of great change. I know that many are suffering, anxious, and grappling with the same. If this is at all helpful, I have come to believe that now, more than ever, we must slow down, pay attention to God’s signs, and make time for deep introspection. We must know who we are, individually and as a collective of ethical Muslims, and we must invest in our own health and well-being, our spirit, and our sources of strength. Knowledge is power. But so is kindness - with ourselves and others - and taking the time to invest in rest, self-care, and doing whatever you do to unplug regularly. I believe that in the coming days and years, we will need to find comfort, beauty, and joy in the little things, in the in-between spaces, and through the unexpected gifts of love that God will send our way.
Wherever you are and whatever you are experiencing, I pray that you will find some reassurance here that you are not alone. We are all in it together, trying to keep things real, and figure out the best path forward. I am personally extremely grateful for your presence in this space. I pray that God will guide, bless and aid our collective efforts, and empower us all to make a difference! Look forward to seeing you online soon insha’Allah (God willing)!
In Peace and Hope,
Grace