December 28, 2002	Saturday	Shawwal 23, 1423

WASHINGTON, Dec 27: America’s two diverse Muslim groups began a joint convention in Chicago on Thursday to address the religious, political and social concerns of Muslims in a country where they feel increasingly isolated.

The Islamic Circle of North America represents Muslims from South Asia while the Muslim American Society is dominated by the Arabs. This is their second joint meeting in decades.

During the next three-day convention more than 50 speakers will address topics such as the possibility of war in Iraq, civil liberties, the media, education, schooling, the role of Muslim women and youth.

A session will be devoted to discussing Palestine and US policy toward the Middle East; another will address the role of the US government in South Asia.

Two youth sections will discuss the Islamic revival, a movement often associated with support for Islamic states in predominantly Muslim countries.

Civil rights likely will take on particular relevance after the recent arrests of hundreds of Middle Eastern men and teenagers in Southern California.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination League, the Council on American Islamic Organizations and other groups on Tuesday filed a class-action suit in California against Attorney General John Ashcroft and the INS.