Naynawah Conference 2023 | The Journey to God

What is Naynawah?

Naynawah, the old name of the city of Karbala, is a joint initiative by 13 youth groups from across the GTA with the aim of connecting the community while spreading the universal message of Imam Hussein (as). Naynawah aims to keep the message of Imam Hussein (as) alive while providing the community with an opportunity to learn, get connected and make a difference.

Our Mission.

The Naynawah Conference brings the GTA community together for the One. The conference reinforces our commitment to unity as it is the only project that is supported by all the youth groups in the GTA. Naynawah provides the community with the opportunity to learn, motivate, connect and make a difference by supporting a cause.

Naynawah Gives back.

The proceeds from the annual Naynawah Conference will be used to fund a project that will provide a sustainable solution to those who do not have access to clean water. Our dream is to build a well every year somewhere different around the world. By giving back, we let the message of Imam Hussain (as) spread globally. Please bring your change for our coin drive and your cheque books for our silent auction as we do our part in providing a solution to the 783 million people who do not have access to clean or affordable water.

OUR SPEAKERS

Dr. Amina Inloes

A native of Southern California, Amina Inloes relocated to rainy London a decade ago, where she is a lecturer and program leader at The Islamic College, a faith- based institution offering academic degrees in Islamic Studies and related fields. She completed her PhD at the University of Exeter on the subject of Shiʿi hadith about women in pre-Islamic sacred history. An occasional peripatetic, she travels and lectures for Muslim communities worldwide as well as engages in interfaith work. She contributed to the translation of Spiritual Mysteries and Ethical Secrets by Mulla Fayd Kashani (London: ICAS Press, 2012) and adapted into English M.S Bahmanpour’s historical fiction novel The Idols Will Fall (London: ICAS Press, 2009).

In addition to being fluent in academics, she can be a riveting conversationalist in computer gaming and intra-Muslim gender politics, and she has an unrecognized talent in paleo baking. Her quest for sacred knowledge has taken her to Qum and Najaf, both as a guide as well as a perennial student.

Sheikh Ali Massoumian

Sheikh Ali Massoumian is a high-ranking scholar residing in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf. He started theological studies in the holy city of Qom, where he completed preliminary and intermediate studies and excelled in advanced studies under some of the greatest scholars of our time, such as Grand Ayatollah Wahid Khorasani. He then moved to Najaf Al-Ashraf to further his studies under the likes of Grand Ayatollah Hakeem and Grand Ayatollah Fayadh whilst teaching various texts. He has been teaching and researching for approximately 18 years.

Having seen the global poverty and lack of knowledge firsthand, he founded a global NGO by the name of “The Zahra Trust” in 2008, which is now enjoys UN ECOSOC status. In the academic field, he wrote a PhD thesis on Messianism at the Exeter University.

Sheikh Nuru Mohammed

Sheikh Nuru Mohammed was born in Ghana and started lecturing at the tender age of 14. He completed his religious studies in Qom, and is the former Resident Alim of three centres, namely the Ahlulbayt Jamaat in Johannesburg South Africa, The Imam Husayn Centre in Durban South Africa, and the Nairobi Khoja Jamaat in Kenya. Shaykh is currently the Resident Alim of the Birmingham Jamaat in the UK.

He is a qualified civil and commercial mediator and also a member of the standing advisory council on religious education in the Birmingham City Council. Furthermore, he has lectured at various centres and universities across the globe, and has made great strides by inspiring many children and youth in various communities.

Sheikh Mohamed Abbas Panju

Sheikh Mohamed Abbas Panju was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. He completed his undergraduate degree in finance & international management at the University of Ottawa and worked at the Bank of America for 2 years. Sheikh Panju then migrated to Syria, where he completed his muqadimaat and lower sutooh studies at Hawza Zaynabia within the precincts of Sayeda Zaynab’s holy shrine.

He then briefly migrated to Najaf to complete further texts and examinations in the principles of jurisprudence. Sheikh Panju has since served as resident alim in two major communities in London, United Kingdom and is currently head of operations at the Imam Hussein Development & Relief foundation.

Sayed Hossein Al Qazwini

Sayed Hossein Al Qazwini graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Religious Studies in 2004. He joined the Islamic Seminary in Karbala from 2004-2010, and the Seminary of Najaf from 2010-2014. He began teaching upper level studies (known as Bahth al Kharij) according to the Shi’i school of thought in the Islamic Seminary of Karbala since December of 2015 on the subjects of Fiqh, Usul al Fiqh and Rijal.

Sayed Qazwini’s most recent publications were ‘Studies in the Jurisprudence of Hajj’ and ‘Lessons in Rijal Studies’ in Arabic. Sayed Qazwini has presented at a number of academic conferences around the world, including the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and Turkey. In March 2018, he presented a paper on the Future of Marja’iyah in Iraq at Harvard University.

FAQ

Where can I buy a ticket?

You can purchase your ticket online, or at the door. Please note that space is limited, and seats can only be guaranteed to those who purchase their tickets BEFORE the date of conference. To secure a spot, please purchase your ticket as soon as possible as it works on a first come-first served basis.

What is the dress code?

Islamic dress code and etiquette are mandatory at all times.

What time does the conference start?

Registration begins at 10:30AM, please have your ticket printed or pulled up on your phone. The conference will conclude at 4:30PM.

Are kids allowed?

If you are bringing a child (ages 4-11), they must purchase a ticket. We have a limited number of daycare spots available. Once they are filled, no additional children will be permitted as there will be a strict silence policy in the main hall during the conference. You cannot purchase child tickets at the door. P

Is the event being live-streamed?

No.

Where does the money raised go to?

All proceeds will go towards building wells in remote areas of Pakistan through the Zahra Trust.

Will you be posting an itinerary of the day?

There will be no itinerary posted before the day of the event.