The annual convention of the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) is the largest annual gathering of Muslim Americans to discuss their role in society, politics, public media, activism, educational institutions, etc.
The convention occurs every Labor Day weekend and also include parallel conventions by the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) of North America, the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA), and The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMA or IMANA) as well as many other smaller groups associated under the umbrella group ISNA. Attendance in recent years peaked close to 50,000, which is a significant number especially considering the total Muslim population in America is reasonably estimated at 6-7 million. (Other estimates have the number as low as 2 million or as high as 10 million, but these are considered biased estimates).
The convention was held in the following cities in prior years: 1963 - First Convention of MSA - Urbana, Illinois 1964 - Urbana, Illinois 1965 - 1966 - Ann Arbor, Michigan 1967 - Columbus, Ohio 1970 - Green Lake, Wisconsin - Green Lake Conference Center (formerly American Baptist Assembly) 1971 - Green Lake, Wisconsin - Green Lake Conference Center (formerly American Baptist Assembly) 1972 - St. Charles, Missouri - Lindenwood College 1973 - East Lansing, Michigan - Michigan State University 1976 - St. Catharines, Ontario - Brock University 1977 - Bloomington, Indiana - Indiana University 1979 - Oxford, Ohio - Miami University 1980 - Oxford, Ohio - Miami University 1981 - Bloomington, Indiana - Indiana University 1982 - Bloomington, Indiana - Indiana University 1983 - First Convention of ISNA - Louisville, Kentucky - Commonwealth Convention Center 1984 - Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Convention Center 1985 - Louisville, Kentucky 1986 - Indianapolis, Indiana 1987 - Peoria, Illinois 1988 - Indianapolis, Indiana 1989 - Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Convention Center 1990 - Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Convention Center 1991 - Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Convention Center 1992 - Kansas City - Kansas City Convention Center 1993 - Kansas City - Kansas City Convention Center 1994 - Chicago - Chicago Hyatt Regency 1995 - Columbus, Ohio - Greater Columbus Convention Center 1996 - Columbus, Ohio - Greater Columbus Convention Center 1997 - Chicago - Chicago Hilton & Towers 1998 - St. Louis, Missouri - St. Louis Convention Center 1999 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2000 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2001 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2002 - Washington D.C. - Washington Convention Center 2003 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2004 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2005 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2006 - Chicago - Rosemont Convention Center 2007 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (formerly Rosemont Convention Center) 2008 - Columbus, Ohio - Greater Columbus Convention Center 2009 - Washington D.C. - Walter E. Washington Convention Center 2010 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2011 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2012 - Washington D.C. - Walter E. Washington Convention Center 2013 - Washington D.C. - Walter E. Washington Convention Center 2014 - Detroit - Cobo Center 2015 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2016 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2017 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2018 - Houston - George R. Brown Convention Center 2019 - Houston - George R. Brown Convention Center 2020 - scheduled for Chicago but canceled in person and converted to virtual convention due to COVID-19 2021 - Virtual convention 2022 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2023 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2024 - Dallas - Hilton Anatole 2025 - Chicago - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 2026 - Detroit - Cobo Center 2027 - St. Louis, Missouri - St. Louis Convention Center
(Note: the 2009–2011 were held on the Fourth of July weekend instead of Labor Day weekend to avoid the convention occurring during Ramadan. Similarly, the 2017 convention was also scheduled for the Fourth of July weekend to avoid the convention occurring during the Hajj / Eid al-Adha timeframe).
Convention Themes in Prior Years: 1971 The Call of Islam 1976 Human Rights in Islam 1977 The Islamic Renaissance - its Requirements and Realization 1979 Life of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and its Relevance to Muslims in North America 1980 Opportunities and Challenges of 15th Century Hijrah 1981 Human Rights: An Islamic Perspective 1982 Why Islam 1983 Islam in North America: Approaches & Methods 1984 Islam and You 1986 Islam in North America: Directions and Strategies 1988 Muslims for Human Dignity 1989 Reaching Out with Islam 1990 Muslims in 1990s & Beyond: A Community of Solutions 1991 Developing an Islamic Environment in North America 1992 Shaping Our Future: Knowledge and Action for Building an Islamic Environment 1993 Muslims for a Better America 1994 Our Youth, Our Family, Our Future 1995 Islam: Our Choice 1996 Muslims for Peace and Justice 1997 Muslims for Moral Excellence 1998 Muslims for Human Dignity 1999 Islam: Guidance for Humanity 2000 Islam: Faith & Civilization 2001 Strength through Diversity 2002 Islam: A Call for Peace and Justice 2003 Islam: Enduring Values for Daily life 2004 Islam: Dialogue, Devotion and Development 2005 Muslims in NA: Accomplishments, Challenges and the Road Ahead 2006 Achieving Balance in faith, Family and Community 2007 Upholding Faith and Serving Humanity 2008 Ramadan: A Time for Change 2009 Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 2010 Nurturing Compassionate Communities 2011 Loving God, Loving Neighbor, Living in Harmony 2012 One Nation Under God: Striving for the Common Good 2013 Envisioning a More Perfect Union: Building the Beloved Community 2014 Generations Rise: Elevating Muslim American Culture 2015 Stories of Resilience: Strengthening the American Muslim Narrative 2016 Turning Points: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities 2017 Hope and Guidance through the Quran 2018 In God We Trust 2019 What's your super power for social good? 2020 The Struggle for Social and Racial Justice: A Moral Imperative 2021 Reimagine & Rebuild with Renewed Resolve 2022 Resilience, Hope, & Faith: With Hardship, Comes Ease 2023 60 Years of Service: Navigating the Way Forward! 2024 The Muslim American: Forging Faith & Action 2025 Renewing the American Spirit: Prophetic Ideals for Challenging Times 2026 Persevere, Interconnect, Be God conscious, Strengthen each other for true prosperity