• Statements
• 16 Thi Alqida 1428H

Final Statement of the Seventh Annual Conference of The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America Held at the end of Shawwaal 1428, corresponding to November 10-12, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, United States

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Praised be Allah the Lord of the worlds, and His blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family, especially his representative on earth, the awaited sign, Mahdi (atf)

Based on the words of the Almighty: "Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and debate with them in the best manner" [16: 125], the Seventh Conference of the Council of Muslim Scholars of North America was held under the title "Islamic Propagation, Theory and Practice". It was attended by over sixty religious scholars, teachers, lecturers, preachers, and those interested in religious affairs from numerous states and diverse nationalities and viewpoints, to discuss and deliberate on ways to translate the concept of Islamic preaching from idea and theory to practice and application, in a way that is compatible with time and place, and using modern promotional methods.

And while this conference was notable for the presence of various esteemed religious leaders, university and academic figures, and scholars and imams of others Islamic sects, and for the sharing of knowledge and experience in using advanced electronic communication services for promoting Islam, it was also significant for being graced by the following recommendations received from his honor the Supreme Religious Authority Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Seestani, through the esteemed scholar Sayyid Murtadha Kashmiri:

The Religious Authority reminded all scholars and preachers of the importance of "networking" and "camaraderie" amongst themselves, and "commitment to promoting the virtues of Ahl ul-Bayt (as), and keeping the target audience in mind", as well as "dedication to explaining religious rulings applicable to specific situations".

Emphasis on unity amongst followers of Islam and utilizing all available means in order to achieve this, and the importance of denouncing persecution and harassment of those within Islam.

The need to emphasize the principles agreed upon in the "Holy Mecca Document", which stressed the need for recognizing all Islamic sects, and the importance of maintaining a unified position and closing ranks in the service of Islam and Muslims.

Agreement on and announcement of the formation of a committee to declare the beginning of each Islamic month. This committee is composed of Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, Sheikh Fadhel al-Sahlaani, Sayyid Mohammad Baqir Kashmiri, Sayyid Rafiq H. Naqvi and Sayyid Mahboob Mahdi Najafi, to notify the faithful in North America when each Islamic month begins.

Subsequent formation of a committee approved by the Religious Authority to address severe cases of Divorce.

The importance of printing and publication of important discussions and ideas presented at the Conference in a book titled "Preacher's Guide to the society".

Subsequent modification of the name of the Council by adding the phrase "and Preachers" after "Scholars" due to expansion of the circle of those working in the service of this True Religion.

Also, members of the Executive Board were elected for another two years. The following is a list of their names in order of election:

Sayyid Mahboob Mahdi Aabedi Najafi, Chicago.
Sayyid Mohammad Baqir Kashmiri, Los Angeles.
Sheikh Safdar Razi Ali, Detroit.
Sheikh Fawzi al-Sarraj, Atlanta.
Sayyid Haidar Bahr al-Uloom, Detroit.
Sayyid Nabil Abbas, Montreal, Canada.
Sayyid Rafiq H Naqvi, Washington, DC.
Sayyid Rizwan Rizvi, New Jersey.
Sayyid Riyadh al-Mo'min, Montreal Canada.


At this point the Council would like to thank all those who endured the inconvenience of travel and came to participate in the Conference specially The Marja' representatives team and members of the outgoing Executive Board for their praiseworthy and commendable work to accomplish the Council's goals, as well as all the brothers who spent great efforts in preparation of and holding this Conference, which for the first time was held simultaneously in Chicago and Toronto, most notably Sayyid Mahboob Mahdi Abedi, Sayyid Mohammad Baqir Kashmiri, Sheikh Nadeem al-Taei, Dr. Khalil al-Tabatabaei, and Sheikh Abbas Heirali. We ask the Lord Almighty for success in that which is good and rewarding, as He is the utmost sufficient master.

The Council Board of Trustees