D.C. convention to feature popular pastor; area group hopes Obama will attend

　

The Plainfield-based Islamic Society of North America is holding out hope President Barack Obama might make an appearance at its convention this year in Washington, D.C., over the Fourth of July weekend.

But even if Obama doesn’t show, the nation’s largest Muslim organization already landed a high-profile guest: Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren.

　

"He is not a typical isolationist evangelical," Lee said. "He is more of a post-modern leader who is willing to look at new terrain to see how he can extend his leadership and his influe nce."

That such a high-profile evangelist is willing to take risks, Lee said, marks an important moment in American religion.

"ISNA has faced a lot of challenges in recent years," Zakaria said. "It is crucial to them to have these alliances with other faith-based groups."

Set in Washington over the Independence Day holiday, the convention will try to address freedom from a uniquely Muslim-American perspective with an all-American theme that is also the title of the session Warren will take part in: "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

 

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