Welcome

Whether you are a recent convert/revert to Islam, a born Muslim, or are exploring Islam as a non-Muslim, we welcome you to our website and to Islam. Islam is comprised of people of all races, welcomes all races, and teaches us to treat people of different races, color, gender, etc. equally. This website is designed to provide information about Islam and to help welcome converts/reverts into the Muslim community (ummah) through a support network that we call our 'buddy program'.

Editor's Update:
We are proud to announce that we are now partnering with IIIE to host a monthly 'convert social' at MCC/IIIE and to hold monthly "Life of the Prophet" (pbuh) and "Love of the Prophet" (pbuh) discussion, which is the second part of our monthly "Intro to Islam" session. The first social was Saturday 5/5/12, and the first "Love of the Prophet" (pbuh) discussion is Tuesday 5/22/12 from 8-9pm (details below). Our first "Life of the Prophet" session will begin in June, insha'Allah (God willing). We look forward to these new offerings and are grateful for this partnership.


Upcoming Chicagoland Classes & Lectures Beneficial to Converts

Below is a list of classes, lectures, or events that we think would be beneficial for a convert or person exploring Islam. Please contact us or request a buddy if you would like someone to attend a class/lecture/event with you. We have also partnered with ConvertConnectionChicago (CCC) and IIIE to offer regular convert discussions and outings, including monthly Prayer Workshops, Intro to Islam classes, Intro to the Prophet (pbuh) classes, and Love of the Prophet (pbuh) discussions. Our goal is to provide opportunities for converts to meet up at least 3 times every month. All the below classes & lectures should be in English and are open to both brothers & sisters unless otherwise stated.


ChicagoMuslimConvert (CMC) or ConvertConnectionChicago (CCC) Sponsored or Ta'Leef or IIIE Partnered Lectures/Events beneficial to those researching or new to practicing Islam

  • Tuesday 5/22/12 from 8-9pm at IIIE (aka the "Reading Room" at 4390 N. Elston, Chicago): From 8-9pm Brother Altaf will lead the interactive monthly 'Love of the Prophet (pbuh)' session. This is held in partnership with CMC and CCC. Free, no wardrobe requirement, free parking available at the MCC parking lot.


  • Friday 5/24/12 at 1pm: Friday prayer (jumu'ah) sermon (khutbah) at IMAN (2744 W 63rd St, Chicago). Free. Standard Friday Prayer dress code applies. Contact Us if you would like someone to attend with you.
  • Saturday 5/25/12 from 1-3pm at the American Islamic College (AIC - 613 W. Bittersweet pl., Chicago): Monthly 'Living Right :The Book of Assistance' class and Afternoon Tea with Usama Canon. Borrowing from traditional texts and conventional wisdom, "Living Right" is a forum for newcomers to Islam, recommitting Muslims, or anyone seeking practical ways to progress spiritually. Come join the discussion with our beloved brother and teacher Usama Canon from Ta'leef Collective in California. Free, no RSVP, no wardrobe requirements, guests/children welcome.
  • Tuesday 5/29/12 at 7pm: Monthly 'Life of the Prophet (pbuh)' class with Brother Belbachir at IIIE (aka the "Reading Room" at 4390 N. Elston, Chicago). Free, no wardrobe requirement, free parking available at the MCC parking lot.
  • Saturday 6/2/12 from 3-5pm at Skinner Park (1331 W Adams, Chicago IL): Our first monthly Parenting Group meetup will be a ‘Muslim Family Meet & Greet in the Park’. This is a meetup for Muslim mothers and fathers to socialize, informally learn about healthy Islamic parenting from each-other, and facilitate healthy parenting dialogue in our community. Parents are encouraged to bring their children. Free, no RSVP, no wardrobe requirement, families welcome.


  • Saturday 6/9/12 from 4:30-5:30pm in the 2nd floor lounge of the dorm building at the American Islamic College (AIC - 613 W. Bittersweet pl., Chicago): Monthly CMC Prayer Workshop. One-on-one assistance for any level of learning the Islamic prayer - from learning the motions to pronunciation to helping with memorization. Free, no wardrobe requirements, free parking available. RSVP required by contacting us.
  • Saturday 6/9/12 from 6-8pm in the 2nd floor lounge of the dorm building at the American Islamic College (AIC - 613 W. Bittersweet pl., Chicago): Monthly CCC discussion with Omer Mozaffer as part of the "Guiding Light" series focused on understanding our humanity and learning how to refine ourselves through the teachings of the Qur’an and the Life of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him. Topics relate specifically to personal and social conduct, such as forgiveness, reflection, hope, repentance, reliance on God, humility, generosity, and many more attributes regarding good character with others and with our Creator. Our events are focused intensely on spiritual development and community cultivation, so let us honor each other by coming with an open heart and a big smile! Everyone is welcome including children to this free event. No RSVP, no wardrobe requirements, families welcome, free limited parking available in the AIC lot.
  • Saturday 6/16 to 8/4/12 from 3-5pm at the American Islamic College (AIC - 613 W. Bittersweet pl., Chicago): 'Fundamentals of an Islamic Outlook' course with Omar Mozaffar. In this interactive session, participants will develop an intimate relationship with the Qur'an, a balanced Islamic outlook, and a grounding in the fundamental beliefs of Islam by exploring the first 46 verses of the Qur'an in depth. $20 for 7 week course. RSVP to convertconnection@gmail.com.


  • Saturday 6/30/12 at 4:30pm: Monthly Convert Social with IIIE. This month will celebrate the American culture via a picnic along the lake near AIC. Free, no RSVP, no wardrobe requirement, families welcome.

Other One-Time or Short-Term Lectures/Events beneficial to those researching or new to practicing Islam

  • Thursday May 10, 17, 24, 31 from Maghrib prayer to Ishaa prayer (May 10th: 8:20pm-9:35pm; May 17th: 8:30pm-9:45pm; May 24th: 8:35pm-9:50pm; May 31st: 8:40pm-9:55pm): Darul Qasim's 'Prerequisites to Sunni Theology' class. This will be an in-depth study by Dr. Umar Faruq Abdullah of what Sunni scholars have termed pre-requisites to takleef (Islamic Responsibility). Dr. Umar will expound upon what Muslims must know before they discuss theology in Islam. $75 - register here. No registration at door; Pre-registration required by May 5.
  • 6/4 through 7/13: Summer I classes at the American Islamic College (640 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago). Classes include 'Modern Standard Arabic 101', and 'Understanding Islam 101'.
  • Friday 6/8/12 6:00pm dinner, 6:30pm lecture at the American Islamic College (640 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago) Room 123: Lecture "A New Historical Model and Periodization for the Perception of the Sunnah of the Prophet and His Companions" w/ Volkan Yildiran Stodolsky. Free parking, dinner and lecture. No wardrobe requirements. RSVP here.
  • 6/11/12 through 8/3/12 (5 days a week from 9am-2pm) at the American Islamic College (640 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago): AIC's Intensive Summer Arabic Program. This is designed for students interested in traveling or working abroad, for conducting further research in Middle Eastern & Islamic history. In addition to class time, students will participate in practical activities, such as Arabic Calligraphy, Journalism club, Theater, Film Screenings, Literature clubs, Qur’anic understanding, Music, and more. Fee is $5,000 (includes non-refundable application fee, course fee, room & board, textbooks) - the $2,000 dorm fees can be waived if you won't be living in the dorms. Application deadline is May 30th.



Ongoing Lectures and Classes

  • Qur'an Tafseer with Mufti Hussain Kamani - Tuesday night series after Isha prayer at the ICC Masjid (5933 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL). During this series, the group will run through the fields of the divine book of Guidance & instruction for all of mankind, the Holy Quran, with Mufti Hussain Kamani. Past lectures can be found at www.saliheen.com or www.audiblewisdom.org. Free.
  • Towards Transformation: By Way of the Quran - Friday night series from 6-9pm at the Muslim Education Center (MEC - 8601 N Menard, Morton Grove, IL). "When the core values of Islam are manipulated, it could lead to ignorance and extremism."
  • Etiquette in Islam with Mufti Hussain Kamani - Friday night lecture series after the Isha prayer at the Muslim Education Center (MEC - 8601 N Menard, Morton Grove, IL). Besides the laws revealed by GOD that were designed to govern our lives, the Quran has also indicated a list of “Etiquette” which we are advised to maintain in our dealings with each other on this planet.
  • Dars-e Hadith - Fridays after Maghrib prayer (sunset) at the Muslim Education Center (MEC - 8601 N Menard, Morton Grove, IL). Hadith discussions led by Mufti Hussain Kamani.
  • Weekly Mehfil - Fridays after Maghrib prayer (sunset) at ICC Masjid (5933 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago). Dr. Shaykh Husain Sattar conducts a Mehfil (spiritual gathering) comprised of a short meaningful talk followed by silent zikr. This weekly mehfil is about rectifying the inner dimensions of the "Self" & enhancing spiritual development to reach ultimate proximity with Allah SWT.
  • "The Beginning of Guidance" seminar with Mufti Hussain Kamani - Fridays after Isha prayer at Muslim Education Center (MEC - 8601 N Menard, Morton Grove, IL). This lecture series is based on the work of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali's Bidayat-al-Hidaya (The Beginning of Guidance) a highly motivational manual detailing the fundamentals of acquiring guidance through God-consciousness (taqwa). Imam Ghazali argues that just as there is an end to this noble objective there is also a beginning to it, which must be made firm to achieve success. This is one of Imam Ghazali's final works, it embodies a lifetime of learning, experience, and spirituality.
  • Monthly Quranic Tafsir Program - First Saturday of every month following Maghrib prayer at MSI (1785 Bloomingdale Road; Glendale Heights, IL). The tafsir program provides a detailed look at verses of the Quran with an emphasis on deriving practical lessons for everyday life. Contact 630-653-7872.
  • Monthly Hadith Class - Third Saturday of every month following Maghrib prayer at ICC DesPlaines (480 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL). Shaykh Husain conducts a monthly hadith class that covers one to two hadith per session from Shaykh 'Ashiq Ilahī al-Bulandshehrī's Zad al-Talibin (Provisions for the seekers). Contact Sajid at 847-824-1100.
  • Dars-e Qur'an - Saturdays after Fajr prayer at the Muslim Education Center (MEC - 8601 N Menard, Morton Grove, IL); Sundays from 12:45pm-1:30pm at the Muslim Community Center (MCC - 4380 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL). Qur'an discussion led by Sheikh Omar Baloch.
  • Darul Qasim Weekly Tafsir - Sundays at 11am via webcast and in person at Darul Qasim (999 Main St. Glen Ellyn, IL). In this course, Shaykh Muhammad Amin Kholwadia reads from chapters of The Holy Quran, interpreting verses and presenting valuable insights into their meanings. This is a free walk-in course, open to the community, and presently does not require registration. Recordings of past sessions are available here.