Chicago, IL - Hizb ut Tahrir / America successfully convened its annual Khilafah Conference as part of a global campaign marking the abolition of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the 28th of Rajab, 1342 AH. The conference served as a call to Muslims worldwide to recognize and fulfill the obligation of restoring the Islamic way of life, as ordained by Allah (swt), through the reestablishment of the Khilafah upon the methodology of our Prophet Muhammad (saw).

This year’s conference, titled “From Division to Unity,” addressed the root causes of division within the Ummah and examined a principled path toward unity grounded in Islam. The conference featured three speeches followed by an open question-and-answer session.

Ustadh Haitham, in the first speech, “Beyond Slogans: The Essence of Islamic Unity,” highlighted that while the Ummah remains deeply united in grief, compassion, and concern over crises such as Gaza, Sudan, and Kashmir, it remains fragmented in action due to the absence of unified leadership and an overarching political structure. He emphasized that authentic Islamic unity is built upon discipline, coordination, and governance rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah. He further explained that unity in Islam is not uniformity, but rather a unity of purpose and accountability, achievable only through restored leadership and collective responsibility that enables the Ummah to protect its people, uphold justice, and fulfill its role as witnesses over humanity.

Ustadh Zaki, in the second speech, “From Fragmentation to Strength: Building an Integrated Islamic Bloc,” explained that poverty in the Muslim world persists not because of a lack of resources, but due to political fragmentation, external economic control, and man-made systems that obstruct fair distribution of wealth. He highlighted the strategic significance of Muslim lands in global energy, agriculture, minerals, and trade, illustrating that division has turned abundance into dependency. Drawing on Islamic principles of justice and public ownership, he called for economic and political unity under Islamic governance, asserting that only an Islamic system can restore sovereignty, ensure equitable distribution of wealth, and protect the Ummah from exploitation.

Dr. Abu Talha, in the final and keynote address, “The Caliphate: Reimagining Leadership,” discussed themes from his latest book, The Middle East Paradigm. He presented a comprehensive analysis of the persistent conflicts across the Muslim world, outlining what he described as the U.S.-led “4+2” paradigm, which he argued sustains managed instability through regional elites and selective alliances to preserve external dominance. He explained how power is maintained without legitimacy, perpetuating fragmentation and dependency. In contrast, Dr. Abu Talha presented the “1+0” model as a legitimate and unified alternative rooted in Islamic leadership, concluding with a call for Muslims to move beyond reforming the existing order and toward replacing it with a system capable of restoring sovereignty and long-term stability.

The conference concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which the speakers engaged directly with the audience.

The Ummah continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and yearns for a brighter future. Our Iman and shared values remind us that unity is not only possible but is an essential Fard (obligation). Islam provides guidance that nurtures justice, dignity, and solidarity, offering hope for a future built upon cooperation, purpose, and collective responsibility. The conference attendees expressed that they felt truly inspired by the content presented. May Allah (swt) bless our efforts, unite our hearts, and grant success to all sincere endeavors.

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in America