YOUNGSTOWN Islamic Center, YSU co-sponsor conference

Speakers from Georgia and Michigan will conduct workshops at YSU.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Islamic Center and the Department of Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University are co-sponsoring the state conference of the American Society of Muslims' Ohio Leadership Council this Friday and Saturday.
The theme is "Islam in a Modern Progressive Society."
The goal is to demonstrate that Islam embraces and helps to foster a progressive, tolerant and balanced society. The conference also will offer perspectives on the development of the American Society of Muslims, led by Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
Events will include a documentary, talks and an awards banquet. All events are at YSU and are open to the public.
The lineup
The weekend's events start at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a showing of "The Bilalian," a feature-length documentary about black American Muslims, in the lecture room in DeBartolo Hall. The cost is $5 per person.
"The Bilalian" tells part of black American history. Aminah Abdul-Jabbaar, the film's director and producer, grew up during the evolution of the Nation of Islam (the Black Muslims), under the leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, from a black nationalist ideology into a movement focused on the Koran and the life of the Prophet Mohammed.
The film won the 2002 Pan African Film Festival's Visionary Award and the 2002 Best Director of a Documentary Award from the Dahlonega Film Festival in Georgia.
From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, there will be two consecutive workshops in Rooms 121-122 in DeBartolo Hall. Tickets are not needed.
Mahasin Abruwi of Savannah, Ga., will conduct a workshop on "The Rights of Women in Islam."
Abruwi is a graduate of Brown University and was an intern at the White House and the U.S. Justice Department.
Imam Dawud Walid of Detroit will conduct the second workshop, "Prophet Muhammed as the Leader for the Development of Modern Society." Imam Walid is chairman of religious studies for the American Society of Muslims' National Young Adults Association.
He is also an interfaith coordinator for The National Conference for Community and Justice, which mobilizes Muslims to take part in interfaith activities with Jews and Christians.
Recognition and awards
The banquet at 7 p.m. Saturday at the DeBartolo Stadium Club will recognize leaders, including Freda Lee Jackson of Warren and Rhonda Taylor of Youngstown.
Jackson is a member of various volunteer boards, including the Alliance Community Outreach Program Center in Warren. Taylor is a teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown and a dance instructor with the Harambee Youth Dancers.
The Dr. Nafees Ahmed Scholarships, created by two local retired physicians, Drs. Nazir and Nafees Ahmed, will give $1,000 scholarships to four local graduates. Mr. and Mrs. Ahmed are members of the Islamic Center.
The recipients are: Stephanie Wilson from The Rayen School; Terria Brown and Jeremy Sharper, both from Chaney High School; and James Stafford III from Ursuline High School.
Tickets for the dinner are $40 per person. For tickets to the movie or dinner or more information, call (330) 965-9983.