The Mecca Center’s 3rd Annual Converts’ Conference
hosted by the Convert Engagement Committee at the Mecca Center
Steadfast Believers: Facing Adversity with Faith
May 3-5, 2023
Together, we will examine a variety of scholarly and community perspectives on the history of maintaining
unwavering faith in the face of adversity and explore strategies all Muslims can employ today to stay on the
right path.
Friday, May 3 (Prayer Hall):
âť– 6:30-8pm: Community Night with Dr. Ahmed Arafat: Prophetic Examples of Resilience
➢ Lecture and Q&A
Saturday, May 4 (Banquet Hall)
âť– 1:30-2:00 pm: Opening: Registration, Welcome, and Community Engagement Activity
UNDERSTANDING OUR CHALLENGES
âť– 2:00-3:45pm
➢ Mike Swies: Current Challenges of the Convert Community in the Chicago Area and Beyond.
➢ Dr. Will Caldwell: Understanding our Challenges through the experience of the Companions.
➢ Q&A
➢ Practical Workshop: Active Reflection
MEETING THE CHALLENGES
âť– 4:00-5:45pm:
➢ Donna Neil-Demir: Responding to Islamophobia: Prophetic Strategies
➢ Hazel Gomez: Hardship as a Source of Strength
➢ Q&A
➢ Practical Workshop: Role-modeling Tactics, Table Discussions.
âť– 6pm: Asr Prayer
IDENTIFYING STRATEGIES
âť– 6:15-7:50pm:
➢ Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans: Resilience Building Strategies
➢ Panel discussion with the conference speakers (30min)
➢ Conference closing
âť– 7:59pm: Maghrib Prayer
âť– 8:15-9:30pm: Dinner
âť– 9:30pm: Isha Prayer
Sunday, May 5 (Banquet Hall)
6-7:30pm: ConverTsations: Conference Takeaways