In the Spotlight
A curated archive of our recent partnerships, outreach initiatives, high impact projects and media.
Othering & Belonging Conference
April 25-27, 2024 | Oakland, CA
Poster presentation titled, “(Re)imagining: Community Building by and for Young Muslim Americans” at The Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley
Ma’rifa x UMAA
May 24-27, 2024 | Bethesda, MD
World Cafe & Seekers & Scholars Workshop
The 5th Ma’rifa Conference: A Look Back
February 19, 2024 | I.M.A.M
The 5th Ma’rifa conference was held this past weekend (February 16-18, 2024) in Philadelphia, PA. Sayyid M.B. Kashmiri was invited as the keynote speaker. In his remarks, Sayyid Kashmiri highlighted the importance of the duality between spirituality and knowledge from the true sources; Ahl al-Bayt (pbut), The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp), and Almighty God; to enhance ourselves “Under One Sun”.
He noted that as activists and motivated higher education students who look toward a bright future and wait for Imam Mahdi’s (p) justice and peace, it is mandatory to collaborate between professionals and experts to take the Blueprint for the Shia Muslim Community of North America to a practical level so that our new generations continue the effort.
After highlighting the role of youth in history according to the Holy Quran and noting the advanced role of youth today, Sayyid urged all to come out from the Ma’rifa conference with something new, creative, and different, otherwise the event would be nothing more than a copy of many other activities seen around. He reminded the attendees of their responsibilities and their key role since Almighty God blessed them with many blessings, including religious authority, senior experts, and opportunities.
Making Community: Our Gatherings & Us
March 10 - April 9, 2024
Total Takeovers: 17
All praise be to God, the Creator of all created beings, Who makes sustenance available. - Dua Iftitah
Ramadan Mubarak! As our 5th year anniversary initiative, Ma’rifa is excited to introduce “Making Community: Our Gatherings & Us”, a 15 part Instagram takeover series led by our community members in the month of Ramadan. This series aims to highlight young people’s practice and intersection of their faith and community in North America. Through your takeovers, we are asking — what are your communities? Who makes up your community? Where do you gather and how? And what are your Ramadan traditions? We are really looking forward to virtually being a part of community buildings happening all around us.
With this initiative, we are especially mindful of people without communities to call home - those in Sudan, Congo, and Palestine, whose communities and homes have been intentionally destroyed, and those who are homeless, incarcerated, or otherwise alienated in our own local neighborhoods. May we not only be witnesses of liberation but may we be active carriers of it in our lifetimes. May this month lead us towards a God-conscious and excess-free life. And may we all strive to live a just life, one that our Prophet, our Imams, and our God will be satisfied with.
Team Reflections
13th Rajab Reflection
By Batul Hasan
Muharram Reflection
By Elaheh Khazi
Arbaeen Reflection
By Laila Tauqeer
Muslim Group x Ma’rifa
December 23-24, 2023 | Chicago, IL
World Cafe, Seekers & Scholars.
Ma’rifa x Thoughtful Banter
March 3, 2023 | Chicago, IL
‘We’re going beyond identity’: Shiite students head to Harvard for first national conference
February 28, 2020 | Religion News Service
Laila Tauqeer at Harvard University’s Smith Campus Center.