The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is expected to hold its first annual diversity forum Jan. 14-16 at the Double Tree Hotel in Detroit. The workshop titled “Realizing the Dream: Finding Strength Through Diversity” is expected to educate attendees on the history, role and importance of diversity in Islam, and suggest tangible actions Muslim leaders can take to facilitate greater inter-ethnic communication, interaction and cooperation. To view an agenda guide on the conference program visit www.isna.net/diversityforum or www.ciomonline.com.

Other goals include encouraging the study of religious and racial diversity in the Muslim community, initiating research projects and improving the community’s response to diversity. The forum offers education on racial, religious tensions and sensitivities American Muslims face. Identifying and emphasizing the commonalities between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims and opportunities for collaboration is also on the agenda.

Forum event categories include: spiritual development, youth, family, community development, civic engagement, bazaar, networking opportunities and more.

There will be several guest speakers including Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, founder of the Park 51 Project in NYC; Dr, Sherman Jackson, renowned scholar of Islam and race and RNA’s Top 10 Experts on Islam in America; Dr. Tariq Ramadan (by video), Islamic Reformer and one of Time Magazines’s top 100 Innovators of the 21st century; Imam Mohamed Magid, ISNA President and 2010 Olender Foundation Peacemaker of the Year; Safaa Zarzour, ISNA Secretary General; Ghalib Begg, CIOM Co-Founder; Imam Zaid Shakir, renowned Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, the first Muslim American college; Aisha Al-Adawiya, human rights and social justice activist and ED of Women in Islam; Dawud Walid, ED of Council on American Islamic Relations-Michigan and more than 40 other activists, community leaders, and leading speakers on issues of race, diversity, and Islam.