2015 AMP Conference: Full Schedule

3:15pm CST

Film Screening: Enduring Roots – Stop the JNF with discussion; Alone – Palestinian child prisoners

Film Screening

Thursday November 26, 2015 3:15pm - 4:25pm CST
Ballroom ABC

5:00pm CST

Reclaiming Our Narrative: The Story and Lessons of Al-Isra

The message of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj goes much deeper than most people realize. Come learn why it is so important for Muslims to understand this aspect of our Islamic heritage by hearing how the incident is reported in the Quran. What lessons can we draw from this, especially as it relates to Palestine and the quest for justice?

Moderators

Saja Hamayel

Speakers

Amal Ali

Amal Ali completed her graduate studies at the University of Chicago where she conducted original and empirical research on the acculturative experiences of Muslim American youth. Amal is currently the Director of Youth and Community Building Initiatives at ZF where she designs service-learning... Read More →

Imran Salha

Imran Salha currently the religious coordinator at the Islamic Center of Wheaton and also serves as an advisor for MAS Youth Chicago. Imran and his wife are currently medical students doing their rotations here in the Chicago area.

Thursday November 26, 2015 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Ballroom ABC

CAT Track B Youth Track

5:00pm CST

التأصيل القراني والتاريخي لروايتنا وحقناThe Quranic and Historical Foundations of our Narrative

What is the relationship between Islam, Palestine and justice? We know Jerusalem was the first direction of prayer for Muslims, but our heritage and identity go deeper than that, and it is all informed by the words of God in the Quran. Find out what this means.

Moderators

Dr. Mohammad El-Natour

Speakers

Dr. Osama Abuirshaid

Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, AMP board member, is the founder and editor of Al Meezan newspaper, a national newspaper, published in Arabic. He is also a highly sought after political analyst and commentator. He lectures frequently on Middle East and American politics. Dr. Abu Irshaid has... Read More →

Abdelfattah Mourou

Sheikh Abdelfattah Mourou is a Tunisian lawyer and politician. He has a bachelor’s degree in law and another one in Islamic sciences. Sheikh Mourou is a cofounder of the Tunisian Islamic Tendency Move - ment, which adopted the name Harakat al-Nahda (Renaissance Movement) in 1989... Read More →

Dr. Ahmad Tibi

Dr. Ahmad Tibi is a Palestinian member of the Knesset. Dr. Tibi is the leader of the Arab Movement for Change (Ta'al), and he is also a member of the Arab List. Dr. Tibi currently is pushing for a new Basic Law calling for “a full civic partnership and recognition of Arabs as a... Read More →

Thursday November 26, 2015 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

6:15pm CST

CAT Welcome & Film Screening

Welcome, ice breakers, mapping out the weekend

Thursday November 26, 2015 6:15pm - 7:15pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

6:15pm CST

Exposing Israeli Propaganda: Uncovering the Lies and Pushing Back with the Truth

Israel is able to carry out its occupation policies, including the siege and attacks on Gaza, with impunity because its policies are supported by propaganda that portrays it as a defenseless island surrounded by threatening Arab states. Learn about nuanced propaganda and how to push back to change the narrative to one that includes the Palestinian perspective.

Moderators

Deanna Othman

Speakers

Max Blumenthal

Max Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author. Mr. Blumenthal is the author of Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel and Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party, a New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller. His current... Read More →

Rania Khalek

Rania Khalek is an independent journalist reporting on the underclass and marginalized. Her work appears on Truthout, Extra, The Nation, Al Jazeera America, the Electronic Intifada and more.

Jamal Rayyan

Jamal Rayyan is a Palestinian-Jordanian news television anchorman. Currently, he hosts a news program for Al Jazeera. Previously, Rayyan worked for BBC in London. He helped create a training program for news anchors at Al Jazeera, before assuming his current position.

Thursday November 26, 2015 6:15pm - 7:15pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A Youth Track

6:15pm CST

Unite for Palestine – Introductions and Icebreakers

Come meet the other young adults at AMP’s conference this weekend. Get to know each other during icebreakers and take advantage of the opportunity to make new friends! Find out what to expect during the weekend and learn more about the conference.

Thursday November 26, 2015 6:15pm - 7:15pm CST
London

Youth Track

8:30pm CST

Reclaiming our Narrative: Conference Inauguration

The official opening of the 8th annual Conference for Palestine in the US: Reclaiming Our Narrative

Speakers

Dr. Mohamed Al-Moncef Al-Marzouki

His Excellency Mohamed al-Moncef al-Marzouki was the president of Tunisia from 2011-2014.Through his career he has been a human rights activist, physician and politician. President al-Monaf al-Marzouki was a passenger on the most recent Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Marriane, which... Read More →

Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin

Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin is the chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chica - go, an umbrella organization of more than 60 mosques and Islamic institutions. He was one of the founders of CIOGC and was elected its first chairman in 1992. Currently, Dr. Kaiseruddin... Read More →

Dawabsheh Family Representatives

Dr. Ahmad Tibi

Thursday November 26, 2015 8:30pm - 9:30pm CST
Ballroom ED

CAT Track A Track B Youth Track

9:45pm CST

Get to know AMP

How to work for the Palestinian cause through AMP and learn what resources are available.

Speakers

Arwa Abdallah

Arwa is the coordinator of the education committee for AMP-Chicago, creating lectures about Palestinianhistory and presenting at Islamic schools and on Chicago-area college campuses. She hasalso been a long-time volunteer. Ms. Abdallah was denied entry into Palestine this year because... Read More →

Taher Herzallah

Taher Herzallah is the national campus coordinator for the American Muslims for Palestine. Mr. Herzal - lah is one of the 'Irvine 11,’ students who were arrested and prosecuted for expressing their constitu - tionally protected rights of free speech and political dissent when they... Read More →

Sawsan Jaber

Sawsan Jaber is an English teacher and the associate director of the Quran Academy in Orland Park, IL. Ms. Jaber has worked on high performance teams to write curriculum for numerous school proto - types, including the public school sector of the United Arab Emirates. Additionally... Read More →

Nida Sahouri

Kristin Szremski

Kristin Szremski is the current director of media and communications for the American Muslims for Palestine. She is an award-winning investigative reporter and editor. In 2010, CNN International featured Ms. Szremski in a series of videos about Ramadan. The Huffington Post featured... Read More →

Thursday November 26, 2015 9:45pm - 11:00pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

9:45pm CST

مشاهير صنعوا التاريخ They Created our History; They Inaugurated our Narrative

عمر بن الخطاب (الفتح والعهدة)
نور الدين زنكي (صاحب المنبر)
صلاح الدين (التحرير)، كيف بُني الجيل المحرر؟ وكيف تأتى له النصر على الصليبيين؟
Heroes for Palestine include Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second Caliph who liberated Jerusalem in 637, and Nuruddin Zengi, a great defender of Islam against the Crusaders. Zengi built the historic minbar (pulpit) that Salahuddin later installed and used in Al Aqsa, when he liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders. How did Salahuddin establish his generation spiritually, politically, socially, economically, and materially?

Moderators

Abdallah Alrashed

Speakers

Dr. Abdallah Marouf

Dr. Abdallah Marouf is a Palestinian academic, activist and researcher. Dr. Marouf is also a lecturer with the International Faculty of Islamic and Religious Studies, at İstanbul 29 Mayıs University

Abdelfattah Mourou

Thursday November 26, 2015 9:45pm - 11:00pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

9:45pm CST

Palestinian Refugees and Prisoners: a Political, and Legal Look

Zionism has established its state on the ruins of hundreds of Palestinian villages and towns, whose indigenous inhabitants were forced to flee their homeland. This ethnic cleansing resulted in one of the largest and longest-lasting refugee crises in recent history. On the other hand, tens of thousands of Palestinians who stayed in Palestine have been jailed by the Israeli occupation over the last six decades. Today, nearly 7,000 Palestinian political prisoners are being held in Israeli jails. This session will shed light on the political and legal dimension of these two issues.

Moderators

Tarek Khalil

Tarek Khalil is an attorney and activist. As an undergrad, he was a member of UIC's Students for Justice in Palestine. He has worked with the Illinois Coalition against Torture, an organization which seeks to end domestic police torture and raise awareness of global torture. He is... Read More →

Speakers

Othman Atta

Milwaukee attorney Othman Atta is the executive director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, where he has served in various positions for the past 30 years. Mr. Atta was born in Palestine. He received his degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University... Read More →

Lamis Deek

Lamis Deek is a human rights attorney and activist based in New York, originally from Nablus, Pales - tine. Her work spans international human rights, civil rights and criminal defense. She is chief counsel to the Global Justice and Human Rights Law Network, the founder of the Muslim... Read More →

Thursday November 26, 2015 9:45pm - 11:00pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

9:45pm CST

Film Screening

Thursday November 26, 2015 9:45pm - 11:00pm CST
London

Youth Track

10:15am CST

Islamic Heritage of Palestine

One of the most overlooked aspects of Palestine solidarity work on campuses today is the Islamic dimension of Palestine, which has been entirely erased from the narrative. We will discuss the Islamic significance of Palestine relative to work on campus, how to address and incorporate the deep Islamic heritage of the Palestinian struggle.

Moderators

Abdallah Jaber

Speakers

Dr. Hatem Bazian

Dr. Hatem Bazian is the chairman of the American Muslims for Palestine. He is also a senior lecturer in the departments of Near Eastern and Ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Bazian is the co-founder of the first chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
Ballroom H

CAT

10:15am CST

Open Discussion لقاء ونقاش مفتوح حول قضايا الامة

Moderators

Rafeeq Jaber

Rafeeq Jaber, a long-time activist and well respected leader in the Muslim community, was formerly the regional director of the greater Chicago area for the Muslim Legal Fund of America. Mr. Jaber is a co-founder of the Council of American Islamic Relations; the Chicago Center for... Read More →

Speakers

Dr. Osama Abuirshaid

Abdelfattah Mourou

Jamal Rayyan

Dr. Ahmad Tibi

Friday November 27, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

10:15am CST

BDS

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is a great tool that is moving justice for Palestinians forward in significant measures. Globally and within the United States, BDS is making inroads. But it still has yet to be accepted in the Muslim community. It’s time for this to change.

Moderators

Amr Kawji

Speakers

Taher Herzallah

Rania Khalek

Rania Khalek is an independent journalist reporting on the underclass and marginalized. Her work appears on Truthout, Extra, The Nation, Al Jazeera America, the Electronic Intifada and more.

Kristin Szremski

Friday November 27, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

10:15am CST

From Palestine to Syria: Making the Connection

In this session, learn about the Islamic significance of Bilad Ash-Sham and understand the similarities and differences in these war-torn areas. Find out how to contribute and help those in need while learning about ways to get involved.

Moderators

Islam Jaber

Speakers

Imran Salha

Omar Tawil

Friday November 27, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
London

Youth Track

1:45pm CST

Palestine and Palestinians: A Discussion on Solidarity and Identity in Diaspora

Palestinians in the U.S. are often in a position where we are asked to stand in solidarity with ourselves. Being in diaspora for more than one generation now also causes some disconnect with historic Palestine, which creates problems with identity. Losing our native tongue and not being allowed back to our homeland poses some major challenges to young Palestinians living in the U.S. How do we address these issues? How can we mitigate such problems? How can we assert our identity and how do we see ourselves in relation to Palestinians around the world and particularly those living under military occupation?

Moderators

Iman Guiga

Speakers

Noor Ali

Noor Ali currently serves as the assistant director for social justice education at Northwestern Univer - sity and as an adjunct faculty at Harper College in student development. At Northwestern, Ms. Ali oversees the peer inclusion educators program (PIE), a peer-to-peer social justice... Read More →

Jennifer Moghanem

Jennifer Mogannam is a PhD Candidate in Ethnic Studies at the University of California, San Diego and a member of the international executive board for the transnational Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM). She received a master’s of arts in Middle Eastern studies at the American University... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

1:45pm CST

Palestinian Citizens of Israel: Dialectic of Identity and Citizenship فلسطينيو 1948: جدلية المواطنة والهوية

جدلية المواطنة في دولة اسرائيل والهوية القومية الفلسطينية
التمييز ضد الفلسطينيين داخل الدولة ومؤسساتها
يهودية الدولة : البعد السياسي والقانوني
القدس بؤرة الصراع ومحوره
القدس وبيت المقدس كما لم تعرفهما سابقا
What’s it like to be a Palestinian citizen of Israel and how does one reconcile identity with citizenship? Despite constituting more than 20 percent of the population, Israel has more than 50 laws in effect that codify discrimination against Palestinian citizens. Still, Israel simultaneously calls itself a democracy and a “Jewish” state. What are the political and legal dimensions of this apartheid system? We’ll also take a look at Jerusalem from a Palestinian perspective, while also exploring the situation surrounding the Al Aqsa compound.

Moderators

Sufian Nabhan

Speakers

Dr. Abdallah Marouf

Dr. Ahmad Tibi

Friday November 27, 2015 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

1:45pm CST

Reclaiming our Narrative: Unveiling Zionism and Understanding Palestinian History

This session will examine the long-standing Palestinian heritage in Palestine, along with a look at the creation of political Zionism, its impact on Palestine in 1948 and its implications for today. We'll hear from a Nakba survivor, a man directly impacted by Zionism's ethnic cleansing. Through this session, we'll come away with a deeper understanding of the forces at work behind Palestinian dispossession and the erasure of Palestinian and Muslim history and heritage, with the forward-looking objective of learning how to reclaim our narrative as we work for justice in Palestine.

Moderators

Dr. Manal Fakhoury

Dr. Manal Fakhoury is the owner and director of Fakhoury Leadership International, which focuses on empowering youth in leadership training and success principles. She is the chairman of United Voices for America, a civic engagement organization working to increase the participation... Read More →

Speakers

Othman Atta

Dr. Hatem Bazian

Phyllis Bennis

Fellow Phyllis Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies. In 2001 she helped found and remains on the advisory board of the U.S. Campaign to End Israeli Occupation, a coalition comprised of nearly 400 Palestine solidarity organizations and... Read More →

Hasan Kishta

Hasan Kishta is a Nakba survivor, having been forced out his village of Ijlil along with his family on April 3, 1948. He was three years old at the time; his brother carried him on his shoulders as the family fled. Mr. Kishta eventually moved to the United States, where he married... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

1:45pm CST

Syrian Refugee Crisis

In recent months, we’ve been hearing a lot about Syrians who have fled their homes to seek safety from the civil war. Listen to a panel of Syrian refugees and hear about their experiences as well as how they’ve been able to handle the struggle.

Moderators

Talat Suleiman

Speakers

Suzanne Sahloul

Friday November 27, 2015 1:45pm - 3:00pm CST
London

Youth Track

3:15pm CST

Palestinian Rights , International Law, and Zionist Claims

In this workshop we seek to clearly identify what Palestinian rights are under international law. We will be discussing everything from the right of return of refugees to Zionist claims under international law in an effort to give solid information to students working on campus addressing these issues regularly

Moderators

Saja Hamayel

Speakers

Othman Atta

Tarek Khalil

Friday November 27, 2015 3:15pm - 4:30pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

3:15pm CST

Islamophobia, Hate Groups, Extremism, and Terrorism

We’re in the midst of a presidential election cycle and there’s no shortage of right-wing candidates spewing hateful comments about Islam and Muslims. This rhetoric feeds Islamophobia and spurs on hate-crimes against Muslims. At the same time, we’re seeing an up-tick in anti-Semitism, and as a nation we’re paying attention for perhaps the first time since the Civil Rights era about anti-black racism and police brutality. What are Countering Violent Extremism programs and are they good for the Muslim community?

Moderators

Munjed Ahmad

Speakers

Dr. Hatem Bazian

Phyllis Bennis

Max Blumenthal

Lamis Deek

Bill Fletcher

Bill Fletcher is the immediate past president of TransAfrica Forum; a Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies; an editorial board member of BlackCommentator.com; and in the leadership of several other projects. Mr. Fletcher is the co-author, with Peter Agard, of The Indispensable... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 3:15pm - 4:30pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

3:15pm CST

The Era of Social and Digital Media

The Millennial Generation has made a huge impact in society by harnessing the creative and informative powers of alternative media. Learn from these powerhouses, who don’t just have a social media presence but are actually changing the conversation

Moderators

Deanna Othman

Speakers

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh is the founding editorin-chief of MuslimGirl.net, the leading online magazine for American Muslim women. Formerly the media relations specialist of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C., she is a rising voice in social, cultural, and... Read More →

Mohammad Bayazid

Muhammad Bayazid is a Syrian filmmaker, who studied in London film school and studied screenwrit - ing at the BBC. Mr. Bayazid has directed Inspiration mini-series, which include 12 episodes featuring Imam Omar Suleiman and Mohammed Zeyara. The series discussed how the Prophet Muhammad... Read More →

Ahmad Hussam

Ahmad Hussam Saadaldin is co-founder, producer, and director at Peace House, a millennial produc - tion studio focused on combining social justice with visual arts, based in Tampa, FL. He currently stars as the leading role of the "Salahadin" action series, which is the subject of... Read More →

Mohamed Zeyara

Mohamed Zeyara, with more than one million "likes" on his Facebook page, is a public figure educating the public about Palestine. He was born in Canada but raised in Gaza, where many of his family still reside. Mr. Zeyara lost some family members in Israel's latest attack on Gaza... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 3:15pm - 4:30pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

3:15pm CST

History of Palestine

You think you know your Palestinian history? How about all of the major events that have led to the Palestine we know today? How about the monumental moments in history that are often moments in Palestine’s history in order to better understand the current events in Palestine. undiscussed? Come join us to learn about the pivotal

Speakers

Hisham Al-Qaisi

Friday November 27, 2015 3:15pm - 4:30pm CST
London

Youth Track

6:30pm CST

Dealing with False Accusations of Anti-Semitism

In this workshop we seek to unpack the common accusation leveled against anyone who speaks for Palestinian rights. The common arguments against BDS and student activism is that they’re ‘anti-Semitic’ or they’re ‘creating an unsafe environment’ or ‘delegitimizing Israel.’ We will discuss how to deal with the three “Ds”: delegitimization, demonization, double-standard, and how to push back.

Moderators

Tarek Khalil

Speakers

Max Blumenthal

Max Gellar

Max Geller is an organizer with the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) and a member of the National Students for Justice in Palestine steering committee. Mr. Geller specializes in Palestine solidarity opposition research and has studied the tax returns of more than active... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 6:30pm - 7:45pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

6:30pm CST

ما الذي يحصل في المشرق العربي: ثورات ام فوضى Making Sense of the Middle East, with Egypt in Focus

In 2011, there was great hope the region would be reformed through the efforts of peaceful pro-democracy activists. But now several years later, the Arab Spring is a distant memory and millions are languishing in failed states or under brutal dictatorships. How do we make sense of the recent developments throughout the Middle East and what does it mean for peace and justice?
كانت امال الملايين بالتغيير معلقة على نجاح ثورات "الربيع العربي".... أين وصلت هذه الثورات؟ وكيف تراها عيون ضيوفنا الناقدة بعد بضع سنين؟

Moderators

Abdelbaset Hamayel

Speakers

Dr. Mohamed Al-Moncef Al-Marzouki

Abdelfattah Mourou

Jamal Rayyan

Mohamad Soltan

Mohamed Soltan, is an Egyptian-American activist. Mr. Soltan graduated from Ohio State University in 2012 and was arrested with other Egyptian journalists in Cairo in 2013. Mohamed spent 21 months in Egyptian prisons, 16 of which he went on a hunger strike to protest his illegal detainment... Read More →

Safa Zarzour

Safaa Zarzour currently works for IQRA. He is the former secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America. For more than a decade, he served as a teacher and then principal at Universal School, one of the largest PreK-12 Islamic schools in the United States and continues... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 6:30pm - 7:45pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

6:30pm CST

Your Role in Reclaiming our Narrative

Come learn best practices for public speaking, for organizing your time and engaging in effective activism from these renowned experts. Learn how to take these tips and apply them to reclaiming the Palestinian narrative at work and school, on your campus and with the general public.

Moderators

Ayah Chehade

Speakers

Mohammad Abbasi

Mohammad Abbasi has had over ten years of business development experience with emphasis on leadership and team building while coaching, consulting and training business associates and sales forces nationally for the second largest Real Estate Company in America. Prior to that, he... Read More →

Dr. Manal Fakhoury

Friday November 27, 2015 6:30pm - 7:45pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

6:30pm CST

Friday Night Live FNL

FNL comes to AMP! We’re all familiar with FNL but how about when we bring it to you at the AMP conference? Join us as we continue with our tradition of FNL.

Speakers

Sharifa Abdallah

Gihad Ali

Friday November 27, 2015 6:30pm - 7:45pm CST
London

Youth Track

8:00pm CST

Open Mic

Come share your talents and discover new ones! At open mic, we’ll have spoken word, poetry, and many other intriguing and fun talents to share with others.

Moderators

Omar Tawil

Speakers

Abdallah Jasem

Omar Offendum

Friday November 27, 2015 8:00pm - 9:00pm CST
London

Youth Track

8:00pm CST

Student Rights, the Law, and the University Environment

Attorney Lamis Deek, will address student speech and protest rights, assembly and advocacy on campus. Often times, students are dealing with policies and procedures specifically designed to prevent them from conducting their activities freely. How can we push the limits without putting our student activists at risk?

Moderators

Tarek Khalil

Speakers

Lamis Deek

Friday November 27, 2015 8:00pm - 9:15pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

8:00pm CST

Exposing and Confronting MLI and Creeping Normalcy

Creeping Normalcy, faith-washing and the Muslim Leadership Initiative all result in efforts to normalize Israel’s occupation of Palestine. They assume that Palestinians and Israelis are on equal footing and that simple dialogue would lead to peace. Normalizing programs ignore the dynamic between occupier and occupier, between the oppressor and the oppressed.

Moderators

Imran Salha

Speakers

Dr. Bilal Ansari

Bilal Ansari is imam and director of student life at Zaytuna College. He was formerly the first Muslim chaplain and assistant director for the Center of Learning in Action at Williams College. Mr. Ansari served as Muslim chaplain in state and federal prisons for more than 16 years... Read More →

Dr. Hatem Bazian

Kristin Szremski

Friday November 27, 2015 8:00pm - 9:15pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

8:00pm CST

WOMEN'S ONLY Traditional Palestinian (Thoub) fashion show

They said we would forget. But by looking at Palestinian cultural dress and folk art, such as tatreez, it is obvious the Palestinian narrative is alive and well within the handiwork of Palestinians. For the first time, come experience a fashion exclusive: A thwab fashion show and see how Palestinians live on through their wearable artwork.

Moderators

Deena Kishawi

Deena Kishawi is a senior at DePaul University where she is majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience with plans to attend medical school in August 2016. Originally from Gaza, her family ties to Palestine have motivated her to continue to work for the cause of Palestine and fight for justice... Read More →

Friday November 27, 2015 8:00pm - 9:15pm CST
Room FG

Track B

9:30pm CST

Film Screening

Detaining Dreams

Moderators

Noor Ali

Friday November 27, 2015 9:30pm - 11:00pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

9:30pm CST

Joe Tube Night

Friday November 27, 2015 9:30pm - 11:00pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A Track B Youth Track

10:15am CST

Strategies for Effective Activism

This workshop will consist of a panel of student organizers from across the country who will share tactics, strategies and practices of effective activism on campus. Share, reflect and strategize on best ways to bring Palestine to campuses all over the country

Moderators

Mohannad Rashid

Speakers

Ruba Assaf

Ahmad Hussam

Alaa Ismail

Omar Shanti

Saturday November 28, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
Ballroom H

CAT

10:15am CST

From Ferguson to Palestine: Joint Struggle Leads to Solidarity between Palestinians and African Americans

It’s all connected: The Israeli military oppression of the Palestinian people and the prison industrial complex and police brutality against African Americans here; between the Apartheid Wall in the West Bank and anti-immigrant legislation and the wall between the US and Mexico. How are these things connected and why is the joining of these two struggles so important for justice?

Moderators

Asmaa Guiga

Speakers

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh

Lamis Deek

Bill Fletcher

Kwame Rose

Kwame Rose is a social activist, hip-hop artist, blogger and speaker. He is best known for having boldly held mainstream media, particularly Geraldo Rivera of Fox News, accountable for its inaccu - rate representation of protestors during the Baltimore Uprising in 2015. Mr. Rose is... Read More →

Saturday November 28, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
Ballroom ED

Track A Youth Track

10:15am CST

Teachers’ Seminar Incorporating our Narrative in the Daily Classroom

Learn how to seamlessly weave the Palestinian narrative into your lessons from two curriculum experts.

Speakers

Mohammad Abbasi

Sawsan Jaber

Saturday November 28, 2015 10:15am - 11:30am CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

2:15pm CST

Don’t Get Co-Opted: Creeping Normalcy, interfaith and

Pro-Israel organizations have specific strategies geared toward garnering support for Israel by establishing interfaith relationships. Then, they use these relationships to shut down any calls to hold Israel responsible for its abuses of international law and human rights. This session will outline these specific strategies and identify the organizations involved. Finally, we will work to create strategies on how to build interfaith alliances on campus with engaging in normalizing

Moderators

Noor Ali

Amr Kawji

Speakers

Kristin Szremski

Saturday November 28, 2015 2:15pm - 3:30pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

2:15pm CST

Syria and Palestine: One Cause, One Wound سوريا وفلسطين: قضية واحدة .. جرح واحد

We can’t advocate for Palestine while ignoring the Syrian issue. How do we understand the beginnings and developments of the Syrian revolution and how do we understand the balance of power of all involved parties? What are the demands of the revolution and how can they be achieved? \

Moderators

Omar Offendum

Speakers

Dr. Osama Abuirshaid

Dr. Mohamed Al-Moncef Al-Marzouki

Ammar Abu Ghodah

Amer Abu Ghodah is a board member of the Chicago chapter of the Syrian American Council. He is also a board member of the Free Aleppo Governorate Council, He is also on the Board of Trustees for Halab Today TV.

Dr. Zaher Sahloul

Dr. Zaher Sahloul is the past president of the Syrian American Medical Society, a non-profit, non-politi - cal, educational and humanitarian organization. Dr. Sahloul is also a community activist and the former chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. He... Read More →

Dr. Talal Sunbuli

Syrian-American physician, Dr. Talal Sunbulli, is an executive committee member of the Muslim Educational Cultural Center of American in Willowbrook. Dr. Sunbulli is also a past president of the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, IL, as well as a former chairman of the Council of Islamic... Read More →

Saturday November 28, 2015 2:15pm - 3:30pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

2:15pm CST

The Right to “Activism Without Fear”

Those who work for Palestine often face being smeared with labels of anti-Semitism or worse, even prosecution. Yet, the U.S. Constitution protects your right to political expression. Learn your rights so you can advocate for Palestinian justice without fear.

Moderators

Tarek Khalil

Speakers

Arwa Abdallah

Hatem Abudayyeh

Hatem Abudayyeh is the executive director of the Arab American Action Network, a grassroots organization that strives to strengthen the Arab community in the Chicago area. Mr. Abudayyeh is also actively involved with the US Palestine Community Network (USPCN).

Lamis Deek

Hon. Judge William Haddad

Judge Haddad, of Northern Illinois University School of Law, retired from the bench in 2013, where he served as judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Haddad was a partner with Haddad, Schlack & Associates. He began his legal career as... Read More →

Rafeeq Jaber

Khalil Meek

Khalil Meek is a co-founder of the Muslim Legal Fund of America, where he serves as the current exec - utive director. He served as the president of the Islamic Association of Lewisville/Flower Mound from 2001 to 2007, and president of the Council of American Islamic Relations... Read More →

Mohamad Soltan

Saturday November 28, 2015 2:15pm - 3:30pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

2:15pm CST

Plaster Workshop

The Dome of the Rock has symbolized the Palestinian narrative for many years. Join us to construct a plaster replica of the beautiful and historically significant Dome of the Rock, while having a great time with your friends and learning about the significance of the historic site.

Speakers

Leena Suleiman

Saturday November 28, 2015 2:15pm - 3:30pm CST
London

Youth Track

3:45pm CST

Keeping Your Heart In It: Steadfastness and Motivation in the Darkest and Most Difficult Times

Our work often does not bear fruit immediately. Our morale and motivation is constantly fluctuating based on the environment on campus and what’s happening in Palestine. We are in a moment where the student movement is becoming more powerful and successful, yet the situation in Palestine is worsening by the minute. How do we reconcile this and continue our work with strength and steadfastness? Listen to Mohamed Soltan, an Egyptian-American Palestine activist who was on a hunger strike in Egyptian prison for more than a year as he discusses how he persevered and overcame the most difficult of times.

Moderators

Nashiha Alam

Nashiha Alam is a student at Loyola University Chicago studying Women's and Gender Studies. She is a leader at Students for Justice Loyola and worked with the Loyola Divest coalition, pressuring the university to divest from corporations profiting off the Israeli occupation. Miss... Read More →

Speakers

Mohamad Soltan

Saturday November 28, 2015 3:45pm - 5:00pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

3:45pm CST

United for Al Quds: the City of Peace

Contrary to Zionist propaganda, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is not a religious one. It is strictly political and it comes down to the occupation. Now Jerusalem is under threat as occupation policies target both Palestinian Muslims and Christians and keep them from their holy sites. There are things we can do here to help the situation, under legitimate interfaith action.

Many national organizational leaders/representatives, activists and interfaith partners have come together to show unity and support for Jerusalem and its cause.

Moderators

Shakeel Syed

Speakers

Hatem Abudayyeh

Nashiha Alam

Hasan Aly

Sheikh Hasan Aly is the imam and director of Mecca Center in Willowbrook, IL. He was educated at Al Azhar University in Egypt.

Husein Ata

Hussein Ata is the president and Chairman of the Board of the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview. He is also a former board member of the Muslim American Society.

Nihad Awad

Nihad Awad is the executive director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest non-profit Muslim civil rights organization in the United States. Mr. Awad has also conducted more than 100 public relations and media training seminars nationwide... Read More →

Lamis Deek

Khalil Demir

Khalil Demir is the executive director of the Zakat Foundation of America. In 2001 Mr. Demir founded ZF with a group of Muslims driven to improve the lives of the poor worldwide. Since then he has overseen the establishment of schools, orphanages, vocational training programs, and... Read More →

Hon. Judge William Haddad

Oussama Jammal

Oussama Jammal is the secretary general of the US Council of Muslim Organizations, a national coalition of several national organizations. He is also the director of the Muslim American Society - Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, an organization dedicated to empowering the Muslim... Read More →

Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin

Khalil Meek

Sheikh Kifah Mustapha

Sheikh Kifah Mustapha is the imam of the Prayer Center of Orland Park. He also is the appointed repre - sentative for the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Lebanon (Darul Fatwa) on behalf of the Lebanese Community in the USA. Sheikh Kifah Mustapha serves as the chairman of the Illinois... Read More →

Dr. Ahmad Tibi

The Rev. Donald Wagner

The Reverend Donald Wagner is the national program director for Friends of Sabeel North America. He was the co-founder and director of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding and previously served Presbyterian churches in New Jersey and Evanston, IL, where he resides. He has led... Read More →

Saturday November 28, 2015 3:45pm - 5:00pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

3:45pm CST

PCRF & SAMS -- Working to Alleviate Human Suffering

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and the Syrian American Medical Society are at the forefront of justice of oppressed peoples by offering lifesaving medical treatment to Palestinian children and Syrians.

Moderators

Tasneem Odeh

Speakers

Dr. Khaled Abughazaleh

Dr. Khaled Abughazaleh is the head of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund's Chicago chapter. He is also the secretary of the board of directors for the national organization. Dr. Abughazaleh travels to Palestine to lead teams of maxillofacial and reconstructive surgeons, who perform... Read More →

Dr. Zaher Sahloul

Saturday November 28, 2015 3:45pm - 5:00pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

3:45pm CST

The Social Experiment

With greatness comes great responsibility. At least that’s what we heard! Becoming vocal about your political opinions often leads to the strong objections and arguments of some of those around you. Learn how to respond to the backlash that comes with becoming active in your community.

Moderators

Islam Jaber

Speakers

Mohamed Zeyara

Saturday November 28, 2015 3:45pm - 5:00pm CST
London

Youth Track

5:15pm CST

A Virtual Tour of Alaqsa

Take a virtual tour of Alaqsa.

Speakers

Dr. Abdallah Marouf

Saturday November 28, 2015 5:15pm - 6:15pm CST
Ballroom ABC

CAT Youth Track

6:15pm CST

Syria in the Spotlight: A Conversation

Over the past four years, Syria has been going through an extremely brutal and bloody war of attrition. As the Assad regime continues to bombard the civilian population, world powers pontificate over what solution might be viable based on their own interests. Listen to a unique perspective from Syrian students living in the U.S. on opportunities to educate and bring awareness on your campus. Learn from a Palestinian refugee from Syria's infamous Al Yarmouk Refugee camp as to what is happening on the ground to Palestinians and Syrians alike

Moderators

Amr Kawji

Speakers

Noor Ali

Nayef Al Smadi

Nayef Al Smadi is a founding member and former international executive board member of the Pales - tinian Youth Movement and a founder of Jafra Foundation for Relief and Youth Development. He is a Palestinian refugee from Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria, and holds a bachelor’s degree... Read More →

Saturday November 28, 2015 6:15pm - 7:30pm CST
Ballroom H

CAT

6:15pm CST

Recent Development on the Ground: The Third Intifada التطورات الاخيرة على الارض والانتفاضة الثالثة

What is happening in Jerusalem and Palestine and why did things reach this point? What should we expect and what are the realities? Get the pertinent context and political analysis, and view the media’s role in the current situation.
ما الذي يحدث في القدس؟ وكيف وصلت الامور الى هذه النقطة؟
التوقعات والتحليل السياسي للأحداث ومساراتها؟
الاعلام: ما هو الدور الذي لعبه الاعلام العربي ؟ وهل كانت التغطية الاعلامية موازية للحدث؟

Moderators

Abdelbaset Hamayel

Speakers

Dr. Osama Abuirshaid

Jamal Rayyan

Dr. Ahmad Tibi

Saturday November 28, 2015 6:15pm - 7:30pm CST
Ballroom ED

Track A

6:15pm CST

The 2016 Election Cycle: What is our Role and Where do We Stand?

We’re in the height of the primary season, leading up to next year’s presidential and general elections. And as usual, the presidential candidates are outdoing each other professing their love and support of Israel. We’ve also heard a lot of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Where do we fit in? As voters, can we make a difference? How can we affect the election and not only be affected by its results?

Speakers

Nihad Awad

Dr. Hatem Bazian

Oussama Jammal

The Rev. Donald Wagner

Saturday November 28, 2015 6:15pm - 7:30pm CST
Ballroom ABC

Track B

6:15pm CST

Current Events in Al Quds

Israeli policies in Jerusalem are threatening not just peace in the region but Masjid Al Aqsa - Islam’s third holiest site. This session will explore the Islamic history and significance of Jerusalem, how the holy city is central to human rights work around the world and how Al Aqsa mosque’s existence is threatened.

Speakers

Imran Salha

Omar Tawil

Saturday November 28, 2015 6:15pm - 7:30pm CST
London

Youth Track

8:30pm CST

Closing Remarks: Main Entertainment

Saturday November 28, 2015 8:30pm - 11:59pm CST
Ballroom ED

CAT Track A Track B Youth Track