Year 2018 In Review by Br. Ashfaq Taufique

AlhamdoLillah, we are blessed with a vital community and indeed an enthusiastic executive committee that organizes programs in many facets that benefit the community. I would like to recap here many of the activities performed in 2018:

In the area of community development, we had a workshop on Islamic Wills, a series of Leadership Trainings, a series of Hajj Workshops, an Islamic Financing Seminar, a Bullying Workshop, a lecture on Prophetic Medicine, a Quran Competition, and paid tribute to our High School and College Graduates. We also had an Islamic Book Fair, as well as provided an opportunity to our community to fulfil the sunnah by inviting a licensed Hijamah practitioner for men and women to come.

We had active outreach programs where we organized Soup Kitchen meals, participated in “Habitat for Humanity” house building, participated in two “Rise Against Hunger” events, sponsored a table at the “Mercedes Marathon” and helped “Be a Blessing” with packaging of food and personal care items. We partnered with APPNA and had a Health Fair that served hundreds of community members and those from the community at large.

Our Open House brought community at large to our center and they left with a better understanding of Islam and Muslims. Our Ramadan outreach program brought more than 300 guest to our masjid to learn about Muslims and Islam as well.

We promoted community social engagement by conducting Community Breakfasts, Community and Eid Picnics, Iftars in Ramadan, Shawwal, Day of Arafah and Aashoora, a Welcome Back Hajji Party. We engaged our community youths with a Family Fun Night and had three levels of Essay Competition.

Our Human Rights Committee conducted Rohingya Refugees Clothing Drive and also conducted several Islamic Awareness lectures at local libraries.

May Allah bless our sisters who tirelessly conducted Monthly Story Times throughout the year and weekly in Ramadan. The Ramadan Craft Fair was a great success.

Our Imam provided several weekly classes to improve the spirituality of our community. Our Weekend Islamic School continues to help parents by providing them with an organized curriculum and guideline.

Truly our success is a gift from Allah swt, and we pray for more opportunities to engage with one another and learn our deen in the new year. Ameen.