Slides from the MAS-ICNA Convention, Dec 26, 2010.

1. ChallengesLearning & Practicing Islam Dr. Sabeel Ahmed GainPeace.com

4. Introduction of GainPeace

5. Islam is Growing Islam is the fast growing 45,000 individuals embrace Islam/year Ratio of female to male 4:1 20% of children born in Canada are Muslims Most common name in England is Muhammad

13. Challenges for Reverts Fulfilling obligations Discarding undesired habits

14. Challenges through… Family Personal shortcomings Environment

15. Obligations Daily Prayers Modest clothing Halal job Halal diet

16. Discarding undesirable habits Immodest clothes Haram diet Drinking Free mixing Music

17. How to meet the challenges?

18. Meeting the challenges Personnel – Trained mentors Resources – learning tools Methodology – effective approach

19. To change a persons actions, we need to Change His/her mindset

20. Methodology Instill a strong iman in the individual Importance of following Quran’s guidance Importance and love of the sunnah Concept of accountability Concept of the hereafter Judgment

21. Quranic Guidance Provided a strong sense of Tawqa (God consciousness) Tarbiyya (Self – Purification)

22. Taqwa & Tarbiyya Using the above tools, the companions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, with ease, gave up: Intoxicants Gambling Adultery/Fornication Usury/interest

23. Taqwa & Tarbiyya Using the above tools, the companions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, with ease, adopted: Halal work Halal diet Fulfilled family/neighborly obligation Created halal environment

24. Post Shahada

29. 800-662-ISLAM

30. MENTORSHIP Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago

31. Mentoring Revertscriteria for being a mentor Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago

32. Mentorship How Can We Assist…?

33. FRIENDSHIP

34. F – Face to face meeting R – Receive them/welcome them I – Invite them to your homes E – Email and phone correspondence N – Neighbor Nets – weekly classes D – Database – include them S – Socialize - sacrifice H – Hardships – assist to overcome I – Impart knowledge and assists in its practice P – Persistence and Patience – by both

35. New Muslims Database

40. 100 Days Benchmarks Days - Benchmarks3 Obtain contact info of the new Muslim - Name, phone, email, address3 shahada package be given or process started to send it out via mail 3 Issue a Shahada Certificate3 Including in egroup, introducing to new Muslim classes7 face to face meeting within the first 7 days7 Explain 6 articles of Iman and 5 pillars of Islam7 tahara explanation via face to face meeting10 surahfatiha - via face to face or email or phone

41. 100 Days Benchmarks 15 Face to face - meeting #215 Take out to lunch or dinner & some social activity15 Surafatiha revision and how to pray explained, assign suraIkhlas25 SuraIkhlas - complete, 30 Face to face meeting #330 Importance of praying in congregation30 Etiquette of Diet, clothing, gender interaction30 Introduction of Tashahud, intro to 'Durood Ibrahim', intro to short supplication

42. 100 Days Benchmarks 37 Phone call to revise Tashahud, Durood Ibrahim, Short supplication37 Whole prayer revision45 Face to Face meeting #4 - Revision of complete prayer45 Obligation towards parents, spouses, children & neighbors.52 SuraFalaq & Sura Naas60 Face to Face meeting #560 Revise SuraFalaq & sura Naas60 Watch ‘The Message’ movie or some social activity

43. 100 Days Benchmarks 67 Phone call - see how they are doing, need any assistance75 Taking them to other masajids, getting to meet other Muslims, social activity75 Assign some dawah activities based on their skills80 Importance of Dawah and sharing Islam with his/her family members90 Face to face meeting #6 - social activity90 Introduction to the concept of Jamaa, Intro to ICNA, 90 Introduce to the Neighbor Nets of ICNA100 Review of the above activities and fill any gaps 100 Assign responsibility/leadership position in dept.

45. Check mark each benchmark upon its completion

46. If a benchmark is not met, then an alert email goes out to the mentor AND to the ‘Director of Mentors’.

50. Assisting in meeting challenges Instill a strong iman in the individual Importance and love of the sunnah Importance of following Quran’s guidance Concept of accountability Concept of the hereafter Judgment

52. How you can assist? New Muslim Journal – Welcome Back! Learning tools – flash cards, pockets books Translating current work in other languages Audio video tools Regional & national Revert’s Conference

53. Summary Trained mentors Effective Resources Structured methodology

54. Conclusion A new Muslim will remain in Islam with strong Iman Become an active and productive member of the Muslim ummah Effective propagator of Islam

55. More info info@GainPeace.com GainPeace.com 800-662-ISLAM