Departments & Services
As one of the largest national organizations for Muslims in North America, ISNA provides a variety of services to individuals and Islamic centers. Following are the services and departments offering such services. For more information please call (317) 839-8157 and ask for the extensions listed below.
Telephone: 317-839-8157
Fax: 317-839-1840
Secretary General: Ext. 222
The Office of the General Secretariat oversees all departments and services offered by ISNA and is involved in administration and management of offices and facilities.
Conventions and Conferences: Ext. 241, 244, 239
The Annual ISNA Convention is the largest gathering of Muslims in North America. This Convention brings together more than 40,000 attendees that include individuals, families, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and people of other faiths. The attendee demographics encompass a wide spectrum of professions and backgrounds. The Annual Convention provides an opportunity to hear and interact with eminent Muslim scholars and leaders, and to meet and exchange views with Muslims and people of other Faiths.
Zonal conferences are held annually in different cities throughout North America. These conferences serve as a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing experiences on a variety of topics. In addition to the Annual Convention and regional conferences, ISNA organizes specialized conferences such as:
- Islam in America
- Muslims on the Information-Highway
- Islamic Education Forum
- Islamic Banking and Finance
- Muslims against Domestic Violence
- Islam among Latino Americans
- Islam in American Prisons
- Muslim Refugees in America
- Muslim Youth of North America
ISNA Membership: Ext. 811
ISNA members enjoy the benefits and services of all ISNA departments and linked organizations. The following are services offered from the Membership Department.
- Right to vote during ISNA elections
- Complimentary Islamic Horizons magazine subscription
- Membership Card
- Hijra Calendar or a Directory of Islamic Centers
- Discounts from the Islamic Book Service
- Discounts from participating car rental agencies.
- Discount at participating hotels/motels.
- Shahadah Certificates - upon request
- Marriage Certificates - upon request
- And above all, the privilege of being a part of a great national movement.
Community Outreach: Ext. 228
The Community Outreach department serves to keep Muslims throughout North America in touch and networked. The Department is has a community visit program where ISNA representatives work with leaders of Islamic centers to bring special workshops and training to the communities. Interfaith activities include Dialogue with Jews, Catholics, Mormons, Hindus and other Faith groups.
Leadership Development Center: Ext: 301
The ISNA Leadership Development Center (ILDC) functions as a nucleus for leadership training and research in the American Muslim community. It is established to address the challenges facing the American Muslim men and women and assist them to foster strong leadership skills among their community. It offers full program of intensive courses during its annual Summer Leadership Institute, while providing partial programs through out the years at various metro areas. It has a fully equipped facility to conduct occasional and regular programs to train chaplains, imams, youth and community leaders. For further information on ILDC programs and services, please visit www.ildc.net.
Youth Programming and Services:
YPSD stands for Youth Programming and Services Department, the new name of what used to be called Youth Department. The new name is more reflective of the objectives and the mission of this department. It also reflects our understanding of the needs of youth work in North America. While communities will always welcome events-kind of programs, the real need is for Youth Programming and Services rather than Youth Events.
Islamic centers are always short of qualified youth workers and directors. Youth workers are always in need of guidance and training. Parents are in continuous search for means that will enable them understand their children's needs and their rapidly changing culture. Non-Islamic organizations are constantly seeking better understanding of Muslim American's youth needs so that they can serve this rapidly growing segment of American Youth.
YPSD was established to address these needs in a systematic and institutionalized approach based on research and knowledge that are deeply rooted in the Islamic tradition of Tarbiyah (an Arabic word that means gradual growth, usually refers to the science of character development) and Youth Development body of research.
ISNA Development Foundation (IDF) Ext: 236
ISNA Development Foundation is ISNA's fundraising division. Among IDF's programs are the Community Service Recognition Luncheon, the Saturday evening keynote speech during the ISNA Annual Convention, and a variety of outreach visits to communities across North America. IDF also produces a monthly donor's newsletter and the Annual Report to keep our supporters and members informed of ISNA's activities and financial status. Our eventual goal is to help ISNA become financially self-sufficient
through the Endowment Fund.
The Zakah fund is maintained by donations of individuals and affiliates. It is designated to help the needy, orphans, and any person who qualifies, according to the guidelines in the Qur'an, for receiving Zakah. IDF also created the Endowment fund in 1994 to ensure long-term financial stability. IDF also solicits funds through Electronic Funds Transfer and also over the internet at www.isna.net. IDF provides services such as writing the Last Will and planning the disposal of one's estate. The department provides fundraising assistance and training to Affiliate Organizations. The department also puts great emphasis on the importance of charity and educates its constituencies about the spiritual benefits of charity and the proofs of those benefits in the Qur`an and the Sunnah.
Community Development Department: Ext. 241, 239, 244
ISNA Community Development is dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities and addressing their concerns in living and of raising families by following the guidance of the Qur'an and Sunnah. The Department plans on helping Muslim social-service providers in networking, developing model clinics from an Islamic perspective, holding conferences and training workshops, and preparing written materials for distribution.
Publications: Ext. 811
Published bimonthly, Islamic Horizons is the oldest quality Islamic journal of North America. Originally known as the MSA Newsletter, it has since expanded to provide coverage of issues of concern to Muslims in North America. It also includes features, essays, and a classified matrimonial section. The “ISNA Matters” section in Islamic Horizons offers members an inside look at ISNA activities and community affairs. It features news, constituent information, position statements and updates. Islamic Horizons is also available online at www.isna.net.
Shahadah Certification: Ext. 811
The Secretariat issues testimonials of Shahadah upon request to reverts to Islam who take the Shahadah at the ISNA headquarters in Plainfield, Indiana or elsewhere in U.S. or Canada in the presence of an ISNA representative.
Islamic Marriage Certificates: Ext. 811
The Secretariat of ISNA issues Islamic marriage certificates to Muslims, provided that: A proper marriage license has already been secured from a court in the U.S. or Canada, and An Islamic marriage has been duly performed by or in the presence of an ISNA representative in the U.S. or Canada.
Organization Data Bank: Ext. 811
The ISNA Data Bank includes addresses and phone numbers of Islamic centers, Islamic schools and affiliated chapters. The ISNA Data Bank of organizations includes addresses and phone numbers for over 1,000 organizations.
Mailing lists: Ext. 811
Interested organizations may use mailing lists for their zone or immediate area. Keeping Muslims in touch in this way contributes to the development of Islamic businesses, facilitates information exchange and can help ensure successful fundraising campaigns.
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