The 4th Annual Converts’ Conference

Mecca Center’s Annual Converts’ Conference is a yearly conference organized by Mecca Center’s Convert Engagement Committee. The next conference is scheduled for April 25-27, 2025.

Our annual converts’ conference is a unique space of opportunity to connect, learn, reflect, and, most importantly, empathize. The overarching goal of the conference is to deepen our community’s understanding of what it means to be a convert. Another goal is to move everyone involved towards empathy, advocacy, and concrete actions that will result in supporting our convert brothers and sisters and in making our community stronger and more unified. The conference features presentations and workshops by prominent scholars, activists, and community leaders dedicated to sharing their knowledge and expertise in an engaging and practical way. The interactive format of the conference offers exciting topics explored through scholastic discourse, community and personal reflections and discussions, hands-on activities, and social interaction.

The conference is open to all – converts, heritage Muslims, and those who are interested in Islam. Heritage Muslims are especially encouraged to attend! Previous conference topics: 2022: Erasing Lines: Building Unity in Our Community 2023: Brick by Brick: Building a Strong Community of Believers 2024: Steadfast Believers: Facing Adversity with Faith Previous

Conference Speakers: 

• Sheikh Hassan Aly
• Dr. Ahmed Arafat
• Dr. Will Caldwell
• Hazel Gomez
• Dr. Tamara Gray
• Ameena Mitchell
• Donna Neil-Demir
• Mike Swies
• Sheikh Suhaib Webb

Previous Conference Storytellers: 

• A’lya Aman
• Jacob Lorenzi
• Beatrice Layla Martínez

The Mecca Center’s 4th Annual Converts’ Conference

hosted by the Convert Engagement Committee at the Mecca Center

 Beginning Our Legacy: Shining the Light Forward

April 25-27, 2025

Together, we will examine a variety of scholarly and community perspectives on the nature of legacy in the life of Muslims

Friday, April 25 (Prayer Hall):

Community Night

• 6:00-7:30pm – AHMED ARAFAT: Building Lasting Legacy: Being True to Who You Are

Saturday, April 26 (Banquet Hall) 

• 1:30-2:00 pm – Opening: Registration, Welcome, and Community Engagement Activity

SEGMENT 1: Legacy Foundations | 2:00-3:45pm

• BROTHER EDDIE REDZOVIC: Planting the First Seeds: Small and Consistent Actions as Legacy Foundations
• ABDULLAH ODURO: Building Character – A Prophetic Way towards A Lasting Legacy
• Q&A
• Practical Workshop: Active Reflection

SEGMENT 2: Types of Legacies in Islam | 4:00-5:30pm

• JOE BRADFORD: Material Legacy: Investing in your Dunya (endowments, Islamic Finance, etc.)
• SISTER ANGELICA LINDSEY-ALI: Spiritual Legacies: Investing and your Akhira
• Q&A
• Practical Workshop: Role-modeling Tactics, Table Discussions.

5:42 pm: Asr Prayer

SEGMENT 3: Securing and Maintaining Our Legacy | 6:15-7:45pm

• UBAYDULLAH EVANS: Discipline and Patience within the Struggle
• Panel discussion
• Conference closing

7:45pm: Maghrib Prayer

8:15-9:30pm: Conference Community Dinner

9:30pm: Isha Prayer

Sunday, April 27 (Banquet Hall)

ConverTsation: Conference Takeaways

• 6-7:30pm – CHAPLAIN PATRICIA ANTON and DR. FERYAL SALEM: Building Community Bridges as a Form of Legacy