17th Annual Interfaith Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Conference

Sheikh Abdul Jalil Nawee was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. He began his Islamic studies at Al-Hidayah Islamic School. After graduating, he became a teacher at Al-Hidayah Islamic School and taught for many years.

Later, he started his Hawzah studies at the Ahlulbait Institute in Accra. Upon graduation, he became a teacher at the Ahlulbait Institute. While teaching at the Institute, Sheikh Jalil also served as one of the Imams and speakers at the Central Mosque in Accra.

After years of service in Ghana. After completing his Hawzah studies, he moved to Washington DC. He served different centers and mosques, in addition to teaching Islamic Studies and Quran at the Muslim Community School in Maryland.

Imam Wahy-Ud Deen Shareef is the Convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey and the Imam of Masjid Waarith Ud Deen in Irvington, New Jersey. He co- founded Waris Associates which led to the establishment of the Waris Cultural Research and Development Center and Masjid Waarith Ud Den organization’s that develop and implement spiritual, educational, recreational, cultural, and social programs that address the challenges facing American families today.
Imam Shareef also serves as the Executive Director of ComWealth Economic Development Corporation a non-profit economic development corporation. He was a delegate to the World Conference on Religion and Peace in 1998 in Tokyo, a delegate at the historic Millennium World Peace Summit of Religion and Spiritual Life in 2000 at the United Nations and in 2012 Imam Shareef received the Peace Islands Institue’s “Peace and Understanding Award”. Imam Shareef has been a leader in New Jersey as co- founder of the New African Partnership between CINJ and City National Bank in Newark.
A Co- founder of the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace and a member of the NJ Office of Homeland Security, the NJ State Attorney Generals’s Outreach Advisory Council, and the NJ
Martin Luther King Commission. He was Senior Advisory to former Newark Mayor, now New Jersey United State Senator Cory Booker
and a Co-host on the NJTV (PBS) television program ” A Matter of Faith”. Imam Shareef has appeared as a commentator and contributor on CNN, MSNBC (Morning Joe), ABC, PBS, NJTV and Ebru

Rabbi Lee Weissman has been a Jewish educator in California for over 25 years. For over 10 years, Lee has been an interfaith activist both online and in person. His Facebook forum “Abraham’s Tent” offers a place for Muslims and Jews to communicate on religious issues. His Twitter account @JihadiJew has a wide interfaith following. Lee’s personal passion is Chassidic philosophy, particularly the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Lee currently attends Magen David Sephardic Congregation.

Sarah is a Near Eastern Studies scholar with a focus on Islamic intellectual history and sectarian history. She received her BA from Harvard in 2018 and is currently pursuing her MA at NYU. Sarah is also a graduate assistant at the Islamic Center at NYU and has given talks at a variety of university and Islamic settings. She plans to continue pursuing her graduate studies and serves on the board of Muslims for Peace.

Alina is a second year undergraduate student at Rutgers University School of Engineering. She is pursuing a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace. She is also an undergraduate researcher researching in the robotics field. She has been a Co- teacher at Jafaria School of Central Jersey and a volunteer at Masjid e Ali library. She is a part of the Muslims 4 Peace Youth Program.

Prophet Muhammad was a visionary leader who was deeply committed to social justice and civic engagement. He taught his followers to stand up for justice and equality, and to work to create a more just and equitable society.

Here are some examples of Prophet Muhammad’s civic engagement and social activism:

He established a system of government based on Islamic principles, such as justice, equality, and compassion.
He created a social welfare system to help the poor and needy.
He fought for the rights of women and minorities.
He promoted education and literacy.
He encouraged his followers to be involved in their communities and to work to make the world a better place.
In 1935, the U.S. Supreme Court honored Prophet Muhammad as one of the greatest lawgivers of the world. This was a significant recognition of his contributions to the development of law and justice.

What can we learn from Prophet Muhammad’s example of civic engagement and social activism?

Here are a few key lessons:

Be passionate about making a difference. Prophet Muhammad was driven by a deep desire to create a more just and equitable world. This passion fueled his civic engagement and social activism.
Be willing to stand up for what you believe in. Prophet Muhammad was not afraid to speak out against injustice and inequality, even when it was unpopular to do so. He was also willing to take risks in order to make a difference.
Be inclusive and compassionate. Prophet Muhammad taught his followers to care for all people, regardless of their race, religion, or social status. This inclusive and compassionate approach is essential for effective civic engagement and social activism.
Be persistent. Prophet Muhammad faced many challenges in his work to create a more just and equitable society. However, he never gave up on his vision. His persistence is an inspiration to us all.
Prophet Muhammad’s example of civic engagement and social activism is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in making the world a better place. By working together, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.

Registration is required by October 20th 2023

Here is the full list of 2023 MFP Award Recipients

Dr Azmat Hussain
“An Inspiration to Inclusion and Diversity”
MFP Humanitarian Award
October 22nd , 2023

Dr. Azmat Husain is an experienced physician executive having served in leadership roles in both hospital and physician practice management. He has served as Chairman of Emergency, Regional Medical Director, Senior Vice President of a health system as well as most recently Chief Executive Officer of a 2-hospital health system physician practice. He also served on Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s transition team on healthcare. His accomplishments in the field of healthcare have been covered by numerous media outlets such as the Philadelphia Business Journal, MDLive, Bloomberg News, NPR and NBC. He currently is serving as Chief Medical Officer of his own healthcare company, Personic Health, that operates multispecialty physician practices in 10 states.

He has been active with several Shia Muslim organizations for the past 20 years serving on the board of directors of UMAA, Idara-e-Jaferia, Islamic Information Center and Global Caregivers. He has also been involved in significant philanthropic projects operating an elementary school for over 200 children in Najaf, Iraq as well as helping to establish the first Emergency Medicine physician training program for the country of Iraq.

Jaffer Naqvi
“Inspiring us to build a peaceful community”
Lifetime Community Services Award
October 22nd, 2023

Mr. Jaffar Naqvi has been a philanthropist, community leader and a champion of educational activities in the NJ area for over four decades.

Mr. Naqvi is a successful and celebrated entrepreneur. In 2003, he controlled companies with a combined revenue of over $30 million.

However, he remained focused on community activities as well. Be it his role in forming institutions like Mehfile Shahe Khorasan, Baitul Qaim and Astaana e Zehra, his principalship of the Ahle Baith School, his presidency of Hussain Day or his support of publications, poetic gatherings and other community activities, he has been a pillar of strength to our community

Recently, the prestigious Habib University in Karachi Pakistan instituted the ‘Jaffar Naqvi Scholarship’, which will provide educational support for economically underprivileged students.

Dr. Azeez Fathima Naqvi
“Inspiring us to build a peaceful community”
Lifetime Community Services Award
October 22nd, 2023

Azeez Fathima Naqvi , born in Madras, India, moved to NJ after medical school and marriage to Sarfaraz Naqvi. She continued her post medical school requirements and started her career as a practicing nephrologist thereof. Besides her professional life she was deeply involved with religious, social and community affairs at Astaana e Zehra since 1990, with her husband, his family and especially his parents who spearheaded most of these activities. She has continued with her professional life and has been joined in her practice by her son Murtaza Naqvi.

Khizar A. Sheikh
Leadership with Ethics, Morals and Values
MFP Leadership Award

Khizar A. Sheikh has devoted his professional and personal life to serve the cause of listening, bringing down barriers between people, resolving roadblocks, and helping achieve better outcomes. Professionally, he is an executive and attorney for a F100 global financial services company and practices, speaks, and writes in the areas of global cybersecurity, technology, and data issues. Khizar’s charitable focus is children and families, and he has served as board chair of several community organizations. He is married with two sons, and currently serves as Mayor of his town in service to his community. Khizar is a graduate of Hamilton College (BA), Rutgers University School of Law (JD), Leadership New Jersey, and Leadership Morris.