Seeking to support the Muslim community during the time of the pandemic, a Canadian group hosted the annual I.LEAD Conference this weekend to engage, empower, and support the Muslim community to work together and actively participate in building a vibrant community.

The conference was held from October 8 to 10. Going online due to the pandemic, a local Ottawa mosque hosted lectures, workshops and a bazaar. In-person participation at the mosque required proof of vaccination for entry.

“This year, due to the pandemic, we’re holding a lighter version of the conference, with interactive online sessions,” said Ahmed Khalil, I.LEAD Secretary General, Iqra.ca reported.

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“This year’s theme, ‘Faith in a Time of Uncertainty,’ reflects the struggles we go through to maintain our faith, despite the pandemic, despite challenges we face, despite all the uncertainty.

“I.LEAD stands for Islam, Learn, Engage, Achieve and Develop. It is a conference of ideas, discussions and reflections. Through it, we aim to engage, empower and support the Muslim community, especially our youth, to work together and actively participate in building a vibrant community and a greater Canada while maintaining our Muslim Identity,” added Khalil.

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Galaxy of Speakers

ILead, which stands for Islam, Learn, Engage, Achieve, and Develop, aims at engaging Canadian Muslims in building a greater Canada while maintaining a Muslim Identity.

Speakers at the event, hosted for the ninth year, include Yasmin Mogahed, Dr. Imam Muhammad Ali Suliman, Sh. Hasib Noor, Sh. Navaid Aziz, Sh. Mohammad El shinawy, Sheikh Majed Mahmoud, and others.

Speaking at the event, keynote speaker Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed advised the attendees of the annual Ottawa and Gatineau to look at every situation as a means to get closer to Allah.

“We should look at every circumstance as a means to get closer to Allah,” said Ustadha Mogahed.

“If you are faced with difficulties, the proper response is patience (sabr); if you are given a gift, the proper response is gratitude.”

“Every response can bring us closer to Allah,” she added. “A believer is always between patience and gratitude.”

The I.LEAD conference was created and is run by the United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa – Gatineau (UMO-OG). It is an initiative that acts as a coordinating group for the prominent Islamic organizations in the National Capital Region.