Islamic Society of North America

Islamic Society of North America
source
Name	Islamic Society of North America
Formation	1982
Location	Plainfield, Indiana
Region served	North America
Key people	Ingrid Mattson, Muzammil Siddiqi

Islamic Society of North America. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is a major Muslim organization in North America, founded in 1982 by Muslim Students' Association members, including Jamal Badawi and Abdul Hamid AbuSulayman. ISNA has been involved in various activities, such as organizing conferences, like the annual ISNA Convention, and providing services to the Muslim American community, including Islamic education and interfaith dialogue with organizations like the National Council of Churches and the Anti-Defamation League. ISNA has also worked with other organizations, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), to promote Muslim-American relations and address issues like Islamophobia.

● History

The Islamic Society of North America was established in 1982, emerging from the Muslim Students' Association (MSA), which was founded in 1963 by students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including Abdalla Idris Ali. ISNA's early leaders, such as Taha Jabir Alalwani and Jamal Badawi, played a significant role in shaping the organization's mission and goals, which include promoting Islamic values and providing services to the Muslim American community, in collaboration with organizations like the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS). ISNA has also been influenced by prominent Muslim scholars, such as Fazlur Rahman Malik and Abdulaziz Sachedina, who have contributed to the organization's intellectual and spiritual development, alongside other notable figures like Muhammad Abdul Bari and Zaid Shakir. Additionally, ISNA has worked with institutions like the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and the Institute of Islamic Information and Education (IIIE) to promote Islamic education and research.

● Organization

The Islamic Society of North America is headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana, and has a diverse membership base, including Muslim individuals, organizations, and institutions, such as the Islamic Society of Greater Houston and the Muslim Community Center in Chicago, Illinois. ISNA's organizational structure includes various departments, such as the ISNA Leadership Development Center and the ISNA Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances, which work to promote interfaith dialogue and community service, in partnership with organizations like the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. ISNA also has a number of affiliate organizations, including the American Muslim Council and the Council of Islamic Schools in North America, which work to promote Islamic education and Muslim-American relations, alongside other organizations like the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County and the Muslim Community Association.

● Activities

The Islamic Society of North America engages in a wide range of activities, including organizing conferences, such as the annual ISNA Convention, which attracts thousands of attendees, including prominent Muslim scholars, like Hamza Yusuf and Zaid Shakir, and community leaders, like Ingrid Mattson and Muzammil Siddiqi. ISNA also provides services to the Muslim American community, including Islamic education and interfaith dialogue, in collaboration with organizations like the National Council of Churches and the Anti-Defamation League. Additionally, ISNA has been involved in various initiatives, such as promoting environmental sustainability and social justice, in partnership with organizations like the Sierra Club and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and has worked with institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Harvard University to promote Islamic studies and research.

● Controversies

The Islamic Society of North America has been involved in several controversies over the years, including criticism from some Muslim groups, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), regarding its stance on issues like Sharia law and Islamic extremism, which has been addressed by scholars like Khaled Abou El Fadl and Omid Safi. ISNA has also faced criticism from some non-Muslim organizations, such as the American Jewish Committee and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, regarding its ties to Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organizations, which has been a subject of discussion among experts like Daniel Pipes and Robert Spencer. Furthermore, ISNA has been accused of having links to terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and the Holy Land Foundation, which has been investigated by law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice.

● Leadership

The Islamic Society of North America has had several prominent leaders throughout its history, including Ingrid Mattson, who served as the organization's first female president, and Muzammil Siddiqi, who has been a long-time leader and scholar, known for his work on Islamic jurisprudence and interfaith dialogue. Other notable leaders include Jamal Badawi and Abdul Hamid AbuSulayman, who have played a significant role in shaping the organization's mission and goals, alongside other prominent figures like Taha Jabir Alalwani and Fazlur Rahman Malik. ISNA's leadership has also included scholars like Hamza Yusuf and Zaid Shakir, who have contributed to the organization's intellectual and spiritual development, and have worked with institutions like the Zaytuna College and the American Islamic College to promote Islamic education and research. Additionally, ISNA has been led by individuals like Mohamed Magid and Azhar Azeez, who have worked to promote interfaith dialogue and community service, in partnership with organizations like the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.