The largest annual convention of North American Muslims concluded Sunday, December 27, with a huge success for its first virtual event.

“As we close out a challenging year, we hope these past two days have lifted and rejuvenated your spirits. May Allah keep you all safe and in good health, and we pray that Allah reunites us all, Insha’Allah!,” organizers wrote on Twitter.

This year’s convention was held under the theme “His Farewell Sermon, Inspirations for Our Better Angels”.

Attendants, who joined the event virtually, praised the successful event held at a difficult time for many of them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nineteen years ago, the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Convention emerged as a major platform for leading Muslim personalities from around the world to address one of the largest assemblies of Muslims in North America. 

This event, launched in 2001 by Toronto Muslim youths to tackle the post-9/11 backlash and to build a bridge of understanding with non-Muslims, has become a staple in Toronto’s downtown core during the Christmas holiday season.

Over 20,000 domestic and international visitors attend the event every year. According to the organizers, the youth envisage this convention as an attempt to help overcome the challenges of communication and integration and promote stronger ties within North American society.