Highlights from Day 2 of the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Convention:

• Shaykh Habib Ali al-Jifri sent a special video message which Sidi Yahya Rhodus translated.
• Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Pamela Paul conducted a lecture on pornography and how it debases women. The lecture had some mature topics and was dealt in a very professional, elegant manner. The lecture was based on topics that Pamela Paul wrote in her book, Pornified.
• Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad delivered a very precise, calculated lecture with subtle yet powerful knowledge.
• Imam Zaid delivered a dynamic lecture about our youth. Imam Zaid’s wittiness helped to convey the message.
• Shaykh Hamza’s headlining lecture: reading and interpretations from a book written by Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah about the craft of futuwa (plural of fatwa).

Biggest highlight: helping Islamic Relief with their donation collections.

Most profound moment: the Islamic Relief video. Very sad, very moving.

Please visit Islamic Relief (www.irw.org) to learn more about their work and to donate.

Quotes of the day:

“Whether you are old school or new school, return to the Quran to get schooled!” – Imam Zaid Shakir

“Without Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah, the meeting scholars is a meeting of peers. With Shaykh Abdullah, it would be a meeting with the Pir. Because he is suPERior.” – Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Here are some quick highlights from the Reviving The Islamic Spirit Convention Day 1:

• Shaykh Mokhtar Maghroui is not attending
• Dr. Tareq Suwaidan is not attending, however, he has sent some video messages which will be presented.
• Final session included a panel of speakers: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Dr. Abdul Hakim Jackson, Sister Rabiya, Dr. Jamal Badawi and moderated by Dr. Jamila Karim

Some of the IslamCrunch team are in Toronto during the last weekend of 2007 to attend the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Convention. This event is our favorite large-scale Islamic conference in the West. The organizers have always treated us well. This year we are not attached at a booth like previous years. Insha’Allah, we will try to post more about the event.

It is with great sadness to report that Shaykh Habib Ali al-Jifri and Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah will not be attending the convention. Our teachers have informed us of this earlier in the week. However, we are excited about re-uniting with another teacher of ours, Sidi Yahya Rhodus, who is currently teaching in Tarim, Yemen.

Today, Imam Zaid Shakir will be delivering the Jumaah khutbah. After that, it will be time to see old friends, make new friends, visit with the scholars and network with the community.

If you are attending the RIS convention, drop us a comment here, we would love to meet you!

UPDATE: Highlights from RIS6…
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Selamat Hari Raya, ‘Eid Mubarak and Happy Holidays! We hope everyone had a blessed ‘Eid holiday and we pray that you holiday season abounds with mercy, safety and happiness!

IslamCrunch has been involved with several behind-the-scenes projects. We look forward to bringing you more news and updates.

Many of us are familiar with finding the qibla in a hotel when visiting Muslim countries. Even more of us are familiar with using a pocket compass to find the direction of prayer in our homes and offices. Now, with an internet connection, you can find the Qibla via QiblaLocator.com.

This service will be a practical tool for travelers or anyone needing to find the qibla in a new, unfamiliar region. In other words, no more excuses.

This reminds me of Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi’s advice on finding the direction towards the right path using Islam as a guide: “Turn right, go straight”.

Thanks to Ijtema for the reminder, ibn Mas’ud for developing QiblaLocator.com and to Kevin McGill for the photo.