One of the largest grassroots organizations of American Muslims in North America has launched a campaign to counter what it calls anti-Shariah propaganda in the U.S.

The goal of the yearlong "Understanding Shariah" effort is to educate the American public about the definition and place of Shariah, or Islamic religious law, in Islam, said Zahid Bukhari, president of the Islamic Circle of North America. ICNA is one of the largest grassroots organizations of American Muslims in North America.

The launch of "Understanding Shariah" comes on the heels of reports of conservative lawmakers across the United States outlawing or attempting to outlaw the use of Shariah by U.S. courts. Oklahoma in November became the first state to pass such legislation. Similar measures are under consideration in about a dozen other states. This is despite the fact that no evidence exists that any U.S. courts have ever relied on Shariah in making its rulings.

"Our campaign will also counter Islamophobia that is fostered and spread by groups who hide behind the false guise of an anti-Shariah movement," said Bukhari during ICNA's

36th annual convention, which was held in Hartford, Conn., over the Memorial Day weekend.

The best way to respond to anti-Shariah propaganda is to follow the peaceful message of Quran, said Islamic scholars at the convention. About 19,000 Muslims from all over the U.S. participated in the three-day convention, whose theme was "Quran: Guidance Towards a Just and Balanced Way." Speakers included Imam Siraj Wahaj, Maulana Yousuf Islahi, Yasir Qadhi and Nouman Ali Khan.

ICNA says it plans to develop an online portal as part of the campaign in order to help those engaged in similar efforts shed light on religious freedom and the concept of Shariah. The organization also hopes to mobilize the Muslim community to engage in grassroots efforts to better explain Shariah; ICNA intends to partner with various faith and civic organizations to reach this goal.

Speaking at the plenary session of the convention, youthful Islamic scholar Qadhi said his generation of American Muslims was born and raised in the U.S. and considered it their permanent abode. Despite some weaknesses, the U.S. remained a beacon of hope and justice for the world, he said.

As an example, Qadhi referenced the legal battle facing former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss Kahn, who has been indicted on charges he sexually assaulted a Muslim maid in a Manhattan hotel room. Qadhi posed the question: Where else in the world would such an influential man be brought to justice in such a powerful display of rule of law? He said American Muslim youth were proud of their country for all such good reasons.

The convention included 80 sessions for Muslims of all ages and backgrounds on different topics. These included interfaith dialogue, in which ways to build bridges of understanding between different faiths were explored.

In addition, the ICNA honored the Rev. Dennis Perry of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Va., with the Community Service Award for his interfaith and community work. Perry's church allows local Muslims to hold regular Friday prayers in its building while a new mosque is being built. Several participants at the ICNA convention described the church's decision as a true reflection of American values of tolerance and religious harmony.