The Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC), a non-profit, non-political, 501(c)(3) community service organization based in Northern California will insha Allah hold its 2nd Annual Women’s Conference on April 22, 2007 at 4:00 PM at the well known Mehran Restaurant located at 5774 Mowry School Road in the city of Newark, California.

The term Milad Shareef refers to the celebration of the noble birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him, b. 570 CE) as the Light of Guidance for humanity in general and women in particular. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is believed by Muslims to be the final Prophet of Almighty God sent as a “Mercy to all the worlds” culminating the Divine Message of upholding truth and fighting evil both at the spiritual and social levels. Muslims believe in and love all the Prophets of God including Prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jesus, and Moses (peace be upon them all). The Pure Mother Mary (may God have mercy on her) is one of the four perfect women in Islam.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was born in Arabia at a time when it was steeped in the depths of oppression and shackles of abuse, especially of women. The Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) arrival heralded a new era – one in which women were to be considered the equal and committed partners of men in the Path to God with the recognition that at the spiritual level, all humans, both men and women, have been created from a single soul [The Holy Quran, 4:1]. There is an entire chapter dedicated to women‘s rights in the Holy Quran, believed by Muslims to be the last Divine Text from God confirming the previous original heavenly books such as the Torah and the Bible.

Through its annual women’s conferences IECRC intends to bring to light the shining female luminaries of the Islamic intellectual and spiritual tradition whose contributions are immense and warrant attention in the modern age as a source of inspiration, guidance, and healing to women both within and outside the fold of the Islamic faith and practice. Amongst the most distinguished women in Islam are those of the Blessed Household (may God be pleased with them all) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as they drank directly from the spiritual and intellectual waters of His Blessed Company and Teachings.

IECRC’s 2nd Annual Women’s Conference 2007 is dedicated to the eminent grand-daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him): Hazrat Syeda Zaynab bint Ali (may God be well pleased with them both). Syeda Zainab is that glorious personality of Islamic history whose knowledge, virtue, intelligence, eloquence, truth, patience, submission to God Almighty, and steadfastness are exemplary. The pages of history are rife with narrations about her that move the heart, open the mind, and cleanse the soul.

Amongst those confirmed to present are Dr. Syeda Saiqa Zubeda, Executive Director of the Canadian Women Counselling Centre (CWCC), British Columbia; Syeda Zille Humma Qadri, Chair of the Women’s Committee of IECRC; and other dedicated mothers and sisters of the community. The event will also be an exhibition of the rich fabric of Islamic culture in the recitations of poetry praising the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and His Blessed Family (may God be well pleased with them all) in many languages including Urdu, English, Farsi, Arabic, and Punjabi. There will be much young talent on display in the many children’s performances which are a part and parcel of all IECRC events. Attendance is expected from around the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

We invite all women regardless of religion or race to join us for an evening of spirituality, knowledge, poetry, community building, and friendship.

Admission is free and the event is open to all women.

Child care is available.

Confirmed Guest Speakers

Dr. Syeda Saiqa Zubeda
Canadian Women Counselling Centre
Surrey, BC, Canada

Dr. Syeda is currently working as Career Counselor and Job club facilitator for the government funded employment program at the Progressive Intercultural Services Society (PICS) in British Columbia, Canada. Prior to this, Dr. Syeda worked as the Principal of the Canadian Institute of Islamic Sciences, Toronto for three years. Dr. Syeda obtained her Ph.D. in Political Sociology, in which she studied comparative analysis of Western and Islamic Political Sociology. She was awarded two gold medals from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. Dr. Syeda is the author of five books and contributes her services and writings to the Canadian Women Counseling Centre (CWCC) in British Columbia and the Islamic Educational & Cultural Research Center (IECRC) in California on a regular basis. You can reach her at cwcc04@yahoo.ca.

Sister Nada Adams
Association of Islamic Charitable Projects
New West Minster, BC, Canada

Since 1986, Sister Nada began learning and practicing Islam. By 1990, she officially dedicated her life and time to teaching authentic Islam – the Creed of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah. A native of Tripoli, Lebanon, Nada and her family immigrated to Canada at a young age. She grew up in Mission, BC Canada most of her life. She has spoken to thousands of people in the last 20 years – explaining Towhid using textual and logical proofs and by the mercy of Allah, many have embraced Islam through her teaching. Her strength and passion in the knowledge of Towhid is sought after for in debates, public speaking and one on one. Her knowledge comprises of “The Personal Obligatory Knowledge of Islam.” She has studied from teachers of Al-Azhar Egypt and Al-Azhar Syria, Yemen & Lebanon. She can be reached at VipResultsCoaching@gmail.com.

Sister Sohab Hamdani
Hamdani Brothers Foundation
El Cerrito, California

Sister Sohab Hamdani hails from Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She received her Masters in Chemistry from Karachi University with first class distinction. Sister Sohab's interest in radio and television began at a very young age when she was in Grade 8 and debuted her radio services at the Chittagong Radio Station. She continued to render her services to Radio Pakistan for 10 years. She also directed plays on important issues such as great Muslim women at Pindi Television and for an extended period of time in Karachi where she worked as an artist on lead characters. She has been in the US for almost 3 decades and has participated in many cultural and patriotic programs. She currently hosts "Watn Ki Awaaz," a Pakistan Association radio show that airs every Saturday at 3pm. She is the mother of three adult children in whom together with her late husband Prof. Jahangir Hamdani, she has instilled love for the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and love for her country, Pakistan. Their family started and run the Hamdani Brothers Foundation whose goal is to further the true message of Islam. She is currently District Manager at Avon where she has been employed for the past 15 years.

Sister Jasmine Bath
Islamic Center of Yuba City
Yuba City, California

Sister Jasmine received her B.A. in Humanities and Religious Studies from California State University, Sacramento. Thus, she has a very strong background in not only Islam, but Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many other religions as well. This thirst for religious knowledge and spiritual fulfillment has led her to Dawate Islami and she is currently under the spiritual guidance of Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadri (Damat Barakatahumul Aliya). Jasmine devotes much of her time to studying Islam and is in search of a good Qadri-based Islamic school or studies program through which she can further her Islamic knowledge. Jasmine is also very active in her hometown of Yuba City. She was a large part of the local Sunday school and is also actively involved in the organization of the Yuba City Islamic Center's Annual Women's Milad Shareef.

Syeda Zille Humma Qadri
Islamic Educational & Cultural Research Center
Fremont, California

Syeda Zille Humma Qadri was born in Lahore, and received her primary and secondary education from Karachi, Pakistan. She received her Bachelors in Chemistry from PECHS Women's College. She continued her Islamic education at the Islamic Missionary University in Karachi where she studied Hanafi Fiqh, Science of Hadeeth, Tasawwuf, History, and other Islamic topics. Syeda Qadri delivered her first lecture at the age of 9 years on the topic of Allama Iqbal (may Allah be pleased with him), which began her career as a public speaker. She is the recipient of many awards and trophies in literary endeavors throughout her school and college life. She has participated in and conducted literary debates and trained numerous youth in the area of public speaking. Her articles have also been published in Dawn & Jang, two of the largest newspapers in Pakistan. Currently, Syeda Qadri is a research scholar for IECRC, and Chairperson of its Women’s Committee. She conducts monthly spiritual and educational gatherings for women and children and is a guest speaker at various religious events. She is an active mother of three young children and lives with her husband and children in Hayward, California.

General Agenda
SUBJECT TO CHANGE (Please revisit up to the day of the conference)

Part I (Timing here )

Part II (timing here)

Poetry (Na'at) Recitations
Local and Guest speakers
Asr Break

Part III ( timing here)

Poetry (Na'at) Recitations
Guest and Local Speakers
IECRC Presentation
Kid's Role Play
Poetry (Na'at) Recitations
Maghrib Prayer Break
Founding Director's Address
Dinner
Closing, Salaam and Du'a

Directions to Location:

Mehran Restaurant located at

5774 Mowry School Road in the city of Newark, California

From 880, exit onto Stevenson Blvd (towards the Hilton).
Turn left if exiting from 880 North. Turn right if exiting from 880 South.
Make the first right onto Balentine Drive.
Turn left into Balentine Plaza.
Mehran is towards the end on the left hand side.

Contact Us

Syeda Zille Humma Qadri, Chair, IECRC Women's Committee: 510-648-9525
Sister Fatima Sharaaz Qadri, IECRC Sacramento Chapter: 916-669-8809
Syeda Shagufta Ahmad Qadri: 510-732-6786
Email: info@iecrcna.org
Website: www.iecrcna.org and www.maulud.org

Previous Conferences

The 4th Annual IECRC Milad Shareef Conference:
The Eternal Light of Truth and Guidance - July 8, 2006

1st Annual Women's Milad Conference - May 6, 2006:
Dedication to Bibi Fatimah Zahra (ra)

The 3rd Annual IECRC Milad Shareef Conference:
Creating Spiritual & Social Harmony for Humanity

The 2nd Annual IECRC Milad Shareef Conference:
Creating a Culture of Peace and Tolerance for Humanity