Well, it’s about that time of the year. No, I’m not talking about back to school. But with the start of a new school year, a new season of Islamic conferences kicks into full swing. If you’ve ever been to one of these conferences and left angry that you didn’t benefit from the lectures or that you didn’t have enough time in the bazaar or maybe just disgusted seeing the state of the Muslims when they’re all clumped together, then this article is for you.

A Friendly Guide to Surviving the Islamic Conference

  • Identify Your GoalsIs your goal to listen to lectures and gain knowledge? Or is it meeting up with old friends and doing some serious shopping at the bazaar? Whatever your goal is, be honest with yourself about it and identify it before you go, so you’re more likely to walk away having achieved whatever it was you wanted to do.

  • Travel or stay with friends or family with the same goal(s). If your goal is to go to the conference and gain knowledge, you probably shouldn’t plan on spending the whole conference hanging out with your friend whose sole goal in attending the conference is to meet up with old friends or find a potential spouse. If you do that, you’re probably going to both walk away not having achieved what you set out to and more than likely you’ll leave blaming each other for your failures. Be honest with your friends about your goals before you go – it might save you a lot of disagreement while you’re there.
  • Create a budget before you go.It’s easy to get sucked in by all the cool things you see, especially when you’re telling yourself ‘hey, I only come once a year’ and manage to convince yourself that you NEED more hijabs to add to the bins you have under your bed that you never wear. Or that you NEED more books to add to the collection sitting on the shelf at home that still haven’t been read. If you set a spending limit for yourself before you go, you’re less likely to overspend and have to bum money off your buddy on the last day for lunch because you already blew all your money on all those things you “needed”.
  • Avoid the fitnah.It’s no secret that most of these conventions (with a few exceptions) are fitnah-infested. (We’ve all seen or heard about the hotel lobbies). Some conventions are worse than others, but whatever degree of fitnah there is, make sure to keep your guard up. First, lower your gaze. This goes for brothers AND sisters. Constantly check yourself on this. Second, make sure you’re dressed appropriately and match it by acting appropriately. Sisters, your see-through scarves and tight jeans are NOT hijab. Brothers, if sisters are trying to get through a crowded hallway, please do your best to get out of the way so they don’t have to bump into you to get through. And for the love of Allah, just because someone else may be dressed inappropriately does NOT give you the right to check her (or him) out.
  • Whatever your goals are, remember to have (halal) fun. Most of us only attend these conventions once a year, so enjoy it while it lasts.

InshaaAllah if we implement these few tips, our experience at whatever convention it is that we’ll be attending will be a more pleasant one. And last, but most important, don’t forget, in this time as in all times, to be in constant remembrance of Allah. If you’re traveling, remember to make a lot of du’aa, for the du’aa of the traveler is always accepted. Ask Allah that you benefit from whatever time you have.

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!” 13.28