MSA Midwest Conference
IDENTITY
A Discussion of the 21st Century Muslim Identity
Asalamualaikum wa rahmatallah wa barakatu!
The University of Kentucky Muslim Student Association is excited to host this year's MSA Midwest Conference. We welcome you to Lexington and hope that you will come to love this beautiful city as much as we do. We have been working hard to make this conference a very special one. We have gathered some of the best speakers in the nation and chosen a topic very relevant to us. Goals that we want to achieve by the end of the conference include gaining valuable insights, creating greater cohesiveness among all MSA's, and ensuring that everyone has a great time!
Program
WHEN
Martin Luther King Weekend 2018
January 12th-15th
WHERE
Lexington Convention Center
Lexington, KY
Topic
In a time where numerous ideologies, agendas, and movements compete for the spotlight how should Muslim Americans respond and proceed? How can we remain firm in all aspects of our faith while also maintaining a presence in the American sphere? The goal of this conference is to investigate the identity crisis that many Muslims are facing today, and to develop an understanding of how to shape the Muslim American identity. Moreover, this conference will provide Muslim Americans with the information needed to defend our faith, and will provide valuable insight on how to interact with individuals of all faiths and beliefs.
Objective
The aim of this conference is to investigate the identity crisis that many Muslims face today. When their identity at home is not the same as the identity they have at school or work, how can we learn to reconcile identities without sacrificing one or the other?
Program
Workshops
The conference will include early morning programs designed for MSA leaders to come together and share knowledge and resources. Peer-led sessions will allow each MSA leadership to discuss what aspects of their organization are thriving, and what aspects have room for improvement. These workshops will cover learning from the strengths of other MSAs, creating inclusive Muslim communities, negotiating our national and religious identities, and creating an activist network among the nation's MSAs.
Lectures
Learn from the best of the best. Our speakers are knowledgable in a wide variety of topics and have unique skills. They will comprehensively cover our topic and prepare usable strategies to carry out the message of the conference
Group Building
Let’s take advantage of the gathering of MSAs from across the nation. We plan on having many networking opportunities that will allow us to get to know each other better. Whether it’s grabbing meals together, late night activities, or engaging in group activities —get ready to have some fun!
Additional Information
If you have any questions please direct them towards conference@ukymsa.com
Mufti Hussain Kamani
Mufti Kamani is a native Kentuckian and grew up in Elizabethtown. He obtained his education in Islamic Law and Legal Verdicts and Business Management in the United Kingdom. He currently resides in Dallas TX where he is an instructor at Qalam Institute.
Shaykh Abdulnasir Jangda
Shaykh Jangda is the founder of Qalam Institute in Dallas TX and an instructor at Bayyinah Institute. He has a very broad educational background including Hifz of the Quran, a Bachelor's and Master's in arabic, and Ijaazaat in various Islamic Sciences. He is also very involved in the Islamic Centers of Mansfield and Coleyville.
Ustadh Abdelrahman Murphy
Ustadh Murphy is currently a student and instructor at Qalam institute. His educational background is in Teaching of English and Religious Studies and also has a Master's in Mental Health Counseling. In the past Ustadh Murphy has served as a youth director, chaplain, and assistant Imam.
Dr. Ihsan Bagby
Dr. Bagby currently leads the Arabic and Islamic Studies Department at the University of Kentucky. He graduated from The University of Michigan with a PhD in Near Eastern Studies. Dr. Bagby is a foremost expert in Muslims in America and serves on the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding and Pew Research.
Dr. Aiyub Palmer
Dr. Palmer is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky and an instructor at Qasid Institute. He graduated from The University of Michigan with a PhD and a focus in Islamic Mysticism and Sufi Movements.
Dr. Nadia Rasheed
Dr. Rasheed is a practicing anesthesiologist. She specializes in interfaith work and community development and is currently involved with the Muslim-Christian Dialogue and with Sisters of Salam-Shalom.
Sr. Roula Allouch
An alumnus of the University of Kentucky and Cincinnati-based attorney, Roula Allouch serves as the chair of the national board of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. She has been instrumental in opening a Kentucky chapter of CAIR. She is an outspoken advocate for American Muslims’ civil rights.
Shaykh Ubaydullah Evans
Shaykh Ubaydullah Evans is a teacher of Islamic Studies, frequent lecturer, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. He is ALIM’s first Scholar-in-Residence and now Executive Director. He also instructs with the Ta’leef Collective and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) at times.
Registration
General Admission $35 / Students $25
The instructions for registration are as follows
1) Complete the following Google Form
Registration Form
2) Purchase your registration here
Registration Payment
us
If you require assistance for accommodations please reach out to Nadia Almasalkhi at conference@ukymsa.com. All emails will be kept confidential and seen only by the Conference Chair and the Accommodations Chair.
Transit
Bluegrass Airport (LEX)
Lexington KY
Louisville Airport (SDF)
Louisville, KY
1 hour 10 minute drive to Downtown Lexington
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
Hebron, KY
Greyhound
Lexington, KY
10 minute drive to Downtown Lexington
Megabus Cincinatti
Cincinatti, OH
Megabus Louisville
Louisville, KY
1 hour 10 minute drive to Downtown Lexington
Hotels
To obtain the special rate at one of our partner hotels, call the hotel and request for the special rate for the University of Kentucky Muslim Students Association.
Hyatt Regency
401 W High St, Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 253-1234
Springhill Suites
863 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504
(859) 225-1500
Holiday Inn Lexington Northeast
1780 Sharkey Way, Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 231-0656
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites: Downtown/UK
1000 Export Street, Lexington, KY 40504
(859) 389-6800
Home 2 Suites
126 E. Lowry Ln, Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 313-5200
Hilton Downtown
369 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 281-3737
Lexington Convention Center and Surrounding Area
Inside Convention Center
Outside Convention Center
About Lexington
Mosques
Halal Restaurants
Oh, The Places You Will Go!
Fun Things To Do
Coffee and Breakfast
Dinner
Dessert
About Muslim Student Association at the University of Kentucky
About UK MSA
Our Partner
