A Message from Brother Ashfaq

Please join me in praying that Allah descends His blessings upon our community in the coming New Year of 1439, the first day which will be Inshaa Allah on September 21.  This holy month of Muharram is one of the four months declared by Allah as sacred.  In it is the day of Aashoora.  Fasting on the day of Aashoora expiates the sins of the preceding year.  Let us take advantage of the gift from Allah.

As we see the sufferings of the fellow Americans in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Irma, we must remember that this test is not only upon the those are afflicted with the disaster.  It is a test upon us and how we respond and reach out in helping.

And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees (of rank) that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful. (Al-Anaam:165)

We must not forget our brothers and sisters in Myanmar (Burma). The UN human rights has says that “The security operation targeting Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar "seems a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.  

Besides praying for them, we must make every efforts to force US government to intervene and provide safety and security to Rohingya Muslims.  

As we sit in the comforts of living quarters, let us remember the flood victims of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.  

HCIC Houses Hurricane Irma Evacuees from Florida by Ashfaq Taufique

Alhumduliillah, we were blessed with 11 families from Florida, who sought residence in our Hoover Crescent facility, as they fled from the path of the devastating Hurricane Irma.

Families with children started showing up on Friday night. Some left on Saturday and new families showed up.

I am proud of our community who offered their residences, bedding material and food for our guests. The guests felt welcomed by the remarkable compassion shown by our community.

Tallahassee resident, and Irma evacuee, Mumtaz Albibi said this,

“To the best community and best leadership,  Assalamualaikum.  My name is Mumtaz Albibi,  I'm from Syria, but I have been in USA / Tallahassee Florida since 1990. Our community in Tallahassee has been blessed with six refugee families and because of Hurricane Irma I had to leave with them out of Florida.   Allah guided us to your beautiful organized community that took very good care of us, men, women, and children.

A special thanks to your shura president Ashfaq Taufique and your Imam Sameh Asel.

And from the women, grateful thanks to brother Osama Khanfar and his wife, may Allah bless you all for your great hospitality, ameen.”

Eid Party at HCIC

Sunday, September 3rd, was a blessed day for us all at our BIS Eid ul Fitr Picnic.  Dedicated volunteers showed up to HCIC at around 10 to get the barbeque started and oversee the water rides being set up.  

Rides were ready for children (and some adults) to have fun after Dhuhr.  You could see the excitement on everyone’s faces as they put on their bathing suits and jumped in the pools at the bottom of the rides, often without bothering to climb the slides and sliding down first.

Adults visited with friends and watched their children, while enjoying hamburgers, spicy chicken and garlic bread.

May Allah reward all the volunteers who took time away from their families to make this a fun event for our community.

Cricket Pro Lecture at HCIC by Brother Ashfaq Taufique

Internationally known athlete, Mohammad Yousuf, visited our Hoover Crescent Islamic Center on Sunday, September 10, 2017, after salat-ul Maghrib.  

Yousuf is a world renowned cricketer and a former Pakistan national cricket team captain.  He converted to Islam in 2005 and has since devoted his time and efforts to propagating and talking about Islam. He is a frequent visitor to many dawah missions both nationally and internationally.

He started his talk by reminding us to pay attention to what is being said and who is saying it.  His message was simple in reminding us that we need to develop strong yaqeen, certainty and faith.  He gave analysis about the condition of the Muslims all over the world, and reflected that our condition is because of our lack of adherence to our faith, and being mesmerized with the worldly affairs.

We pray that we pay heed to the message, and look into ourselves and develop communities and nations that work for the pleasure of Allah. Ameen.

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Community Bowling

About 32 people gathered on Sunday to enjoy bowling and community fun at Vestavia Bowl Family Fun Center.  It seems like the crowd has decreased with each scheduled bowling date, but hopefully more will come out and enjoy this opportunity arranged by BIS. Please support BIS by attending our family fun events.

CAIR-Alabama Condemns the White House's Recent Decision to Terminate DACA by Ali Massoud

CAIR-Alabama condemns the White House's recent decision to terminate DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This program allowed undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children to go to school and work without fear of deportation. The average DACA recipient came to the U.S. at 6 years old, has been living in the country for more than a decade, and is now enrolled in higher education or working. CAIR-Alabama stands with these Dreamers, recognizes their right to work and learn, and salutes their bravery in this uncertain time. Last week, members of CAIR-Alabama's staff attended a rally for DACA solidarity. Khaula Hadeed, Executive Director, said "Dreamers are not voiceless, rootless, and nameless statistical numbers. These are young people in our lives that we've mentored, work with, played in the schoolyard, who've stood up to a school bully for us, theirs is a courage that is inspiring and momentous. There is no winner and nothing worse than a neighbor feeling unsafe around us." Now it's up to Congress to pass a law that addresses the concerns of these Dreamers. CAIR-Alabama urges the Muslim community to call their representatives and demand a bill to provide DACA recipients with an answer to their status and a clear path to citizenship. Ali Massoud Government Affairs Coordinator, CAIR-AL

Community News

CONDOLENCES

"To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return." [Qur'an 2:156]

Br. Lucas Gambino's mother passed away on Thursday, 8/31 in Fairhope, AL after a long illness.  We pray that Allah provide patience for the family.

Br. Fekry Ismail, a long time member of our community, passed away early in the morning on September 13.  Salatul Janazah was offered at Hoover Crescent Islamic Center (2524 Hackberry Lane, Hoover, AL 35226) after Dhuhr prayer (1:00 PM). Burial followed at the Muslim Garden, located in Ensley, AL.

HELP NEEDED

• We have the opportunity to serve at a women's prison in Aliceville, AL. There are currently 29 Muslim sisters at this location. It's our duty as Muslims to provide assistance to these inmates in our capacity.  For those who are currently volunteering at the prison, it is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experience.   We have found Muslim inmates very eager to learn about their faith.

If you are interested in volunteering at this prison, please contact the BIS office at bisoffice@bisweb.org. The requirements we are seeking include:

1. Muslim females
2. Ages 18+
3. Passionate

• Here is what we can do for Hurricane Harvey & Texas Flood Victims:

1. Monetary Donations: Click here to go to BIS Website
2. Donate the following items in boxes located at the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center and Homewood Masjid. These are items specifically requested by disaster relief agencies in Houston.

• Bottled Water
• Canned Pet Food
• Diapers
• Cleaning Supplies
• liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, liquid household cleaner, insect repellent, scrub brushes, sponges, scouring pads, heavy duty trash bags 33-45 gallon, dust masks, rubber gloves, heavy duty work gloves

• Bangladesh is experiencing its worst flood in 25 years. More than 1/3 of the country is under water. Thirteen million people are affected; 5.7 million are displaced. 134 have lost their lives, 10,583 hectres of crops, 468,609 hectres of farmland  and, 531,941 houses damaged. There is no dry land to bury the dead. The United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (http://unocha.org/) reports tens of thousands of houses, as well as schools and hospitals, have been destroyed. Bangladesh urgently needs humanitarian life saving support. We are requesting our greater Muslim community brothers and sisters to open their hearts and minds to donate generously. Click here to donate on BIS Website

• CAIR-Alabama, the state's first and only grassroots Muslim civil liberties organization, is currently accepting applications for the Fall Semester of 2017. There are 6 positions open including:

-Government Affairs Internship

-Legal Internship

-Film Production Internship

-Community Outreach Internship

-Communications Internship

-Administrative Internship

If you know any college students or recent graduates interested in politics, community organizing, or nonprofit work, this is the perfect opportunity for them. Applications are due this Friday, Sept. 15th. You can apply at:

https://goo.gl/forms/oTWyZzGC289AqhDQ2

BIS Yard Sale by Rita Taufique

We have an exciting new event coming up at HCIC...a Yard Sale!   The event will start after the first Jummah on Friday, October 20 through after Dhur on Sunday, October 22nd.

Please start saving your good, wearable, resalable clothing and household items at your home until the week of the yard sale. We will let you know in the October newsletter which date to drop off off your items to the Masjid.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY ITEMS BEFORE THE DATE ANNOUNCED. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO NOT HAVE STORAGE ROOM.

We will accept:

Clothing (adult, children's, ethnic, shoes). Clothing needs to be clean...washed or dry cleaned. Sorry, but any clothing that has stains and/or food/body odor will not be accepted. We will NOT accept undergarments.

Household Items.

Kitchen Items.

Bedding Items ...Bedding needs to be washed or dry cleaned and placed neatly in a plastic bag.

We are also looking for volunteers to work different shifts. If you would like to help for 1 hour or more, please contact Rita Taufique at 205-586-0346.

Thank you so much for your support!

Rita Taufique

Hajj Program at IAA by Yasmin Nimer

The Islamic Academy of Alabama successfully conducted its tenth annual Journey to Hajj

experience on the eighth of Thul-Hijjah this year.

The IAA tradition of Journey to Hajj began ten years ago when the principal, Br. Ziyad Awad,

was looking for a way to share his amazing Hajj experience with his staff and students. He

proposed the idea in 2007, and that year, the IAA family put together a smaller version of the

Hajj experience complete with a kabah, the hills of Safa and Marwa, and stations to indicate

locations like Mina and Arafat. Br. Ziyad led the students himself on a successful tour of Hajj in

both 2007 and 2008, and from there, a tradition was born.

In 2009, he turned the event over to the IAA Islamic Studies Department while he continued to

play the part of tour guide and avid enthusiast. The Islamic Studies Department improved the

event year after year, involving parents and other volunteers in designing and building props

and turning the event into an indisposable part of the curriculum.

In 2012, as part of an effort to promote student leadership skills, the Islamic Studies teachers

began training high school students to lead the Hajj tours. By studying the rituals, preparing for

their roles, and guiding students and visitors through Hajj every year, IAA high schoolers

continue to follow in the steps of their principal by bringing Hajj to the Birmingham Muslim

community at large.