Wadi Al-Salam: A World Heritage Site
Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has agreed to list the Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery in the holy city of Najaf as a world heritage site, Iraq's Ministry of Culture announced.
The Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the Islamic world, or according to some accounts in the whole world. Located near the holy shrine of Imam Ali (AS), it holds the graves of many prophets, thinkers, scientists, and historical figures as well as ordinary people from different countries like Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Lebanon. |
What I Learned About America from Visiting 100 Mosques
"Over the last two years I have been on an extraordinary journey. As a member of a research team accompanying American University's Chair of Islamic Studies, Akbar Ahmed, I have visited over 75 US cities and 100 mosques for the book Journey into America: The Challenge of Islam, which is published this month by the Brookings Institution Press. During our fieldwork, I learned a great deal about America's Muslim community, the religion they practice, and their various cultures. But what surprised me the most was what I learned about America.
...John Adams cited the Prophet Muhammad as one of the world's great truth-seekers alongside Confucius and Socrates; Thomas Jefferson learned Arabic using his Quran and hosted the first presidential iftaar during Ramadan; and Benjamin Franklin expressed his hope that the head cleric of Istanbul would preach Islam to Americans from a pulpit Franklin himself had funded, so passionate was his belief in religious freedom."
To read more, click here. |
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Salaam Alaykum!
As part of its vision and mission, the NASIMCO Post serves as a tool by which to bind our community together and promote a united and caring environment for all. If you have anything you would like to include in this newsletter, contact us at info@nasimco.org.
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Help Haiti Rebuild Appeal
Times are tough in Haiti. Our brothers and sisters there look to the rest of the world for help in recovering from the earthquake. The number of requests to the Al-Mahdi Center to take-in more orphans has increased dramatically. In addition, the streets are filled with young people, left without families. The people of Haiti, and in particular the children continue to suffer from psychological trauma.
Watch the Rebuilding Haiti Video |
Although international aid is getting through, the minorities are being overlooked. To compensate this, we have sent one container of relief supplies to the Shia in Haiti and are in the process of sending the next one with Ramadhan supplies.
However, with no center, no school and no homes, the streets are no place for the vulnerable. The World Federation and NASIMCO are committed to rebuilding a permanent center for the Shia community of Haiti, including an orphanage, school and Masjid. Your donation to the Help Haiti Rebuild Appeal will turn despair into hope.
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LDP - Unlock the Potential to Serve
A three day Leadership Development Program (LDP) was held in Orlando from Friday, June 11th to Sunday, June 13th. The goal of the program was to "Unlock the Potential to Serve your Community and Humanity". Eighteen participants from Orlando, Toronto and Vancouver took part in this intensive seminar that equipped them with tools and skills that they can begin to use in both their personal and professional lives.  The LDP provided a safe and supportive environment for the participants to practice the skills they were taught and to reflect on their learning. Many of the participants established a newfound drive to pick up where they'd left off.
The program was facilitated by Dr. Akber Mohamedali, Sr. Siddika Jessa, Sr. Tahera Rashid and Ms. Maria Pattinson. Participants were awarded LDP certificates upon the successful completion of the program.
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Hiridjee Loan Scheme
The World Federation has re-launched the Hiridjee Loan for female students who wish to pursue higher education. These loans are available for a maximum of GBP 10,000 per student per year for three consecutive years. The Hiridjee Loan is not restricted to any field of study. The deadline to apply is August 15th. A decision will be made on the recipients of the loan by August 31st and all applicants will be informed shortly thereafter. Click here to read the terms and conditions or download the application form. |
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Webinar - Ziyarat to Iraq
The Academy for Learning Islam (ALI) is holding a two session webinar (online seminar) on preparing for Ziyarat to Iraq. The webinar will cover adaab (etiquette) of traveling, specific manners of visiting the holy places, significance and history of the holy sites in Iraq, and tips on how to obtain maximum spiritual benefits from doing the Ziyarat of the Masumeen (AS). Dates: Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EST) Instructor: Shaykh Hasanayn Kassamali Eligibility: Muslim men and women ages 12 and over Fees: No fees, but donations to support the Academy of Islam are always welcome Please register by sending an email to director@academyofislam.com. This is an interactive online course which requires a Windows-based computer with speakers/headphones and preferably both a microphone and a high-speed internet (Cable/DSL or faster) connection to participate. |
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