Ramadan Kareem

Dubai, 1 p.m., I started getting ready for the final leg of my journey to Jeddah from where I was going to perform Umrah for the first time. As soon as I put on my ehraam, I realized this was going to be much more than I had ever imagined.

I got dressed, prayed zohar and sat down for much needed contemplation. Being born Muslim and raised in a Muslim household, a pilgrimage is something that can simply be viewed as an obligation. Yet, in the duration of our journey, I had started to view the upcoming journey not as an obligation, but as a blessing from Allah (SWT) and a much needed retreat for the soul. As I read the Holy Qur’an, I could feel my anticipation building to see and feel the city of Mecca and, most importantly, the Ka’ba Sharif.

The seconds passed quickly as our journey continued from Jeddah towards Mecca and I could feel my heart start to beat faster.  As we neared the holy site, I lost complete count of time. In retrospect, the only thing I can now remember is the first time I saw the Ka’ba.

Filled with joy, immersed in tears, I felt for the first time in my life an absolute submission in every inch of my being–physically and spiritually.

It was at this moment that I let go and opened myself up; it was at this moment that I was liberated and free; and it was at this moment that I vowed never to let go of this feeling.

This summer, ICSC celebrates the 5th anniversary of Muslims Establishing Community in America (MECA), a group dedicated to building a sense of community among young Muslims in Southern California. MECA’s target demographic is post college-age Muslims who are single, married, or married with young children. For many members, it fills the void left after graduation from college campuses and their Muslim student associations. The group provides members the opportunity to connect through a variety of social, educational, and outreach activities.

The biggest activity each month is a potluck dinner hosted at the homes of ICSC members. The event begins with a potluck followed by a group discussion on a timely issue related to Islam or on selected verses from the Holy Qu’ran. Topics have included the meaning of the Islamic New Year and the challenges of finding an appropriate spouse. MECA’s first potluck five years ago attracted about 20 attendees, but since then membership has blossomed, mostly through word of mouth. Events now typically attract 70 to 100 attendees, some traveling from as far away as San Diego.

Other key MECA projects include a support group for new Muslims (Coffee and Converts), community outreach and service activities (Food Pantry held every Saturday at the ICSC and annual Eid Toy Drive), outdoor sports (Hiking Club), a book club (MECA Roundtable), and ongoing interfaith activities. More information on these activities is available at www.mecasocal.org.

MECA relies on the support of ICSC members, especially those who can host a potluck dinner. If you are interested in hosting a MECA dinner or joining the group, please send an email to info@mecasocal.org.

MYG is a place I never thought I would end up loving. It’s more than just lectures our parents drag us to every Sunday, in fact it has become a family to me as well as for others within the group. It teaches us everything from morals to gender relations. It has taught me how to apply my religion on a daily basis while taking into consideration that I am an American-Muslim, who sometimes struggles when it comes to balancing my Muslim and American identity.

This year, MYG is planning on making our group more spiritual than it was before. Our goal is to not only make our Muslim relationships stronger, but to build our relationships with Allah (SWT) stronger. The group is here to make us love one another for the sake of Allah (SWT) and to help us better connect and understand our struggles as young Muslim Americans. For example, the group is having a 1-week summer program “A Young Muslim’s Guide to Surviving Ramadan” starting July 26 for middle school kids and August 2 for high schoolers and college students (don’t miss it!).

Some of the events we have had in the past will continue to happen in the upcoming year, such as: our Ski Trip in Big Bear, Spiritual Nights at the ICSC, our Annual Summer Retreat, as well as many different community service activities throughout the year. These events are the main events that many “MYG-ers” look forward to attending every year, however, we are also planning other exciting events so we can create new traditions to look forward to.

MYG wants to attract new members so that more kids can join the big loving family we have here at the ICSC. I’m sad that MYG will resume after summer vacation, but I am looking forward to a new year with new additions to the family. And, most importantly, I’m excited to see what the new board has in store for us!

For additional information, visit www.MYG.org as well as the “MYG at the ICSC” Facebook page.

It is not by chance that the first word revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) by Angel Jibreel was ‘iqra’ or ‘read’. The importance of education has long been a focal point in the Islamic faith. From the crayons of the kindergarten room to science labs of high school to the thesis statements of graduate school, Muslims are encouraged to pursue knowledge in any and every form available to them.

ICSC and the Bureau of Islamic and Arabic Education (BIAE) have honored the graduates of this community every year for the past nine years and this year was no exception. On the sunny Saturday afternoon of June 12, twenty-one middle school, high school and college graduates gathered to be honored by their friends, families and the ICSC and BIAE staff. Mrs. Azmerelda Alfi presented each graduate with a Diploma as well as a signed copy of Dr. Maher Hathout’s latest book, Islam 2.0.

Each graduate shared their thoughts on what they were proud of as an American-Muslim student and acknowledged their friends and families for the continued support to get them through the daily struggles of school and life.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the Social Hall to enjoy celebratory graduation cakes and chat over refreshments. ICSC and the BIAE are incredibly proud of the young women and men who struggle to pursue their education, while retaining their strong Islamic identities. We salute you!

On June 9th, ICSC officially joined Claremont School of Theology’s “University Project,” the first graduate-level consortium in history to educate Christian ministers, Jewish rabbis and Muslim imams.

The University Project is comprised of Claremont, a Methodist university, the Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJR, CA) and the ICSC, with the goal to foster understanding, correct misconceptions, and promote mutual respect between the faiths. Although each group will maintain its own school and curriculum, all three will also contribute to a unique shared curriculum in areas including ethics, politics and society.

According to ICSC’s Religious Director, Jihad Turk, Islam has the most to gain from the project because it remains the most misunderstood faith in the U.S.
“This is a very American approach. It’s an expression of an American religion and American religious attitude,” notes Turk. “It’s better that future religious leaders are getting their training in America if they’re planning to work in America.”

The ICSC is working closely with the University Project to create an Islamic program that will set the standard for training American imams, an endeavor that is slated to be completed by 2011.

The Islamic component of the University Project will cater to the hallmarks of Islam in America, which is more inclusive of women in leadership roles, involved in interfaith relations and has a higher degree of civic engagement.
Claremont has already received $10 million to begin funding this collaboration, but is seeking additional donors to reach its $40 million mark.

This year’s Hajj with members of our mosque community was wonderful. As usual, the awesome feeling of bliss and the overwhelming presence of Allah’s mercy in every step and every ritual was more than sufficient, alhamdulillah.

Food and accommodation were great and the weather was very pleasant.

Fears of swine flue disappeared and we didn’t hear about flood casualties in Jeddah. A rain storm in Mina presented an excitement but no danger; we had to relocate to a hotel from the Mina camp to allow the water to dry up. Read the rest of this entry »

With a very successful launch of the ICSC’s Academy of Islamic Thought and completion of the first module on Islamic knowledge taught by Dr. Maher Hathout, AIT is now looking forward to the second module on personal development. I have been tapped to teach this course which will focus on laying the foundations for our relationship with God.

As Muslims living in the United States, we are often challenged to find opportunities to deepen in our knowledge of Islam. The AIT program is designed to provide just that opportunity. The curriculum is designed to enhance one’s whole personality and this coming module is intended to help individuals improve in character and faith to help in achieving greater success in the hereafter as well as in this life. Read the rest of this entry »

Chants of the Eid Takbeer could be heard from the prayer hall as worshippers hurried to attend the Eid prayer.  The Islamic Center of Southern California hosted Eid-ul-Adha prayers this year at the Wilshire Grand Hotel.  The first prayer was held at 7:30 AM and the second prayer was at 9:30 AM

Dr. Maher Hathout led the community for the first prayer.  Approximately 2,000 people attended.  Dr. Saleh Kholaki and Br. Jihad Turk led the congregation for the second prayer; approximately 1,000 people attended.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Muslim Youth Group’s annual Ski Trip is the highlight of the winter season. It’s an occasion for the Muslim youth of Southern California to get together, meet other young Muslims and take some time out of their hectic lives to learn and appreciate Islam. The youth form irretractable bonds during those three days, bonds that very often bloom into lifelong friendships. The Ski Trip’s Islamic ambience harks back to that of the Islamic Center of Southern California’s belief that worshipping Allah can, and should be, fun.

This ideology is apparent upon taking a closer look at the activities that take place during the Ski Trip. Every day starts with Fajr Prayer as a group, despite the freezing temperatures; everyone gets up to pray with their cabin-mates and start the day off thanking Allah. Read the rest of this entry »

The hot topic of women’s right in Islam was the subject of a conference by the Islamic Center of Southern California held and cosponsored by The University of Southern California on October 17, 2009.
The Quran unequivocally granted both men and women equal social rights and responsibilities as stated; “And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong …” (Quran 9:71). However, many Muslims are influenced by old cultures and tribal traditions that hinder the full participation of women in society. In some cultures, women are kept as virtual prisoners in their own homes – denied education, right of movement, and full participation in community affairs.  Read the rest of this entry »