Prominent Civic Leaders to Join Thousands of American Muslims To Discuss True Islam

Oldest annual Muslim conference draws members of U.S. Congress, current Administration to confront violent extremism & Islamophobia

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the nation’s largest and oldest Muslim organization, is hosting its 69th annual Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) from July 14 to 16 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Speakers and participants will include members of the U.S. Congress, U.S. State Department, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, members of the Pennsylvania House Representatives, the Mayor of Harrisburg, as well as other prominent academic and inter-faith leaders from around the nation. The Community will also honor the work of Lutheran Services of America and its affiliate organizations.

“The continued rise in Islamophobia and extremism is a pressing and urgent matter,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Senior Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “We must work together as Americans to effectively root out discrimination and intolerance of any kind.”

This convention seeks to unite leaders and American Muslims in fighting against extremist ideologies and radicalization for a safer nation and world. With the official designated theme “Justice, Kindness, and Kinship,” Muslim leaders will discuss how to combat the growing scourge of violent extremism while also maintaining core American values, including religious freedom, dignity and inter-faith harmony throughout the convention’s three days.

Guest speakers include:

• U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-California)
• Amy Lillis, Special Representative, Office of Religion and Global Affairs, U.S. State Department
• Eric Treene, Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination U.S. Department of Justice

• Erin Singshinsuk, Executive Director, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

• Rep. Jason Dawkins, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
• Rep. Nick Miccarelli, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
• Rep. Tom Murt, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
• Eric Papenfuse, Mayor of Harrisburg
• Patrick Morris, Former Mayor of San Bernardino (2006-2014)
• Brian Levin, Director, Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, California State University San Bernardino
• Rabbi Marc Belgrad, B'Chavana Congregation, Illinois
• Charlotte Haberaecker, President and CEO, Lutheran Services of America
• Liana Guadalupe Calles Dominguez, Member of Congress, Republic of Guatemala

With special messages from:

• Tom Wolf (Governor of Pennsylvania)
• U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania)

When: Guest session: July 15th, 2017, 4pm - 6pm, followed by dinner

Where: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Media Opportunity: Interviews with guests & American Muslim leadership.

More Information: http://convention.ahmadiyya.us/

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 nations with membership exceeding tens of million. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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