Encyclopedia of Islam

Islamic Society of North America

  

375  J

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other institutions belong to ISNA, varying in size, 

membership, ethnicity, and styles of leadership. 

Despite this diversity, constituent members are 

perceived by local Muslims as representing ISNA.

ISNA headquarters lie in Plainfield, Indi-

ana, in a complex of buildings, which includes 

a mosque, library, and offices. It is a notable 

example of contemporary Islamic architecture, 

designed by Gulzar Haidar and built in 1979 

with funds donated by the United Arab Emirates. 

The Office of the General Secretariat oversees all 

departments and services, is involved in adminis-

tration and management of offices and facilities, 

and is accountable to the elected president of 

ISNA. Subsidiary units include Conventions and 

Conferences, Membership, Community Outreach, 

Leadership Development, Youth Coordination, 

Community Development, Publications, and the 

ISNA Development Foundation.

The executive council and the board of direc-

tors (Majlis al-Shura) are the two policy-making 

bodies recognized within the constitution of 

ISNA. The latter body presently consists of 23 

members, including representatives elected by the 

general body of ISNA and others elected by the 

presidents of regional chapters and affiliates. The 

society has a membership and support base of 

about 400,000 Muslims, with its leadership drawn 

predominantly from immigrant communities, 

although native-born Americans are increasingly 

prominent. Members receive Islamic Horizons, the 

bimonthly flagship publication of ISNA edited by 

Omer Bin Abdullah, which addresses national and 

international affairs. Annually, ISNA hosts a major 

convention in addition to numerous regional and 

specialty events.

See also  c

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Gregory Mack