About vMuktamar 2020
The intent and objectives of organizing this year’s virtual Muktamar are:
- To strengthen our self state of being mindful of Allah (Taqwa).
- To seek guidance in our virtual-reality journey with our own spirituality.
- To persist of being kind to self and toward others.
Like elsewhere in the world where everything goes virtual during COVID-19 pandemic, IMSA-MISG have acted swiftly in response to our limited physical interaction by switching all programs virtually. Without a doubt, technology has helped strengthen our ukhuwwah and deepen our understanding of community's needs, emphatically. Our lifetime relationship and collaboration between IMSA-MISG have compromised and made it reality by hosting our first virtual Muktamar (vMuktamar). As one ummah under One God who believes faithfully in knowing the essence of being tested underneath the will and decree of Allah. As Islam has taught us on staying steadfast to this clear and straight path while facing any hardship as narrated by Anas (r.a):
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity." (Sahih al-Bukhari).
While this novel coronavirus outbreak is none other than the trial and tribulation from Allah for those who believe, how are the believers responded to this unprecedented time of our life? This question has led us to many more questions, so many answers that can be interpreted and adapted, but are we satisfied? Ultimately, our first vMuktamar is inspired by Surah Al-Inshirah (Quran:94) which Allah revealed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that Allah has instructed him “to be brave and look for strength and inner peace in the face of the difficult task of preaching in a hostile environment” (Yahya Emerick:page 758). The Surah has assured us that in every hardship has its relief, and it was repeated again, in spite of everything, hardship always has its relief. Also, it reminded us to remain resolute and turn attentive towards our Almighty Lord.
It has been mentioned over and over again in the Quran and the Hadith that reminding us to remain steadfast in faith despites any kind of hardship: “Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine, etc.) but then they do not repent nor do they remember?” (Surah At-Tawbah:126)
It was narrated by Abdullah that the Prophet said: Allah does not send down any disease, but He also sends down the cure for it.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
In response, our theme for this year is called “With Hardship Comes Ease: Virtual and Reality”. It is time to give ourselves a reality check! Are we living the reality for Allah or are we living virtually for Allah? Are we living virtually for the dunya, then living in reality would mean to live for the Akhirah? How feasible is our inner and outer self retaliated to what Allah has mentioned in the Quran? Are we staying peaceful, optimistic and thinking positively that the cure for it will come? While there are so many questions that remain unanswered, we would like to use this vMuktamar as a platform for our intellectuals to discuss, and In Sha Allah, provide us further guidance.
vMuktamar2020 Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muktamar.usa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muktamar_imsa.misg/
Website: https://muktamar.us