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DISCOVERING ISLAM
Significance of the Months of Muharram and Safar in Islam
"The months of Muharram and Safar offer the yearly opportunity to commemorate the martyrdom of al-Husayn ibn Ali (AS), the grandson of the Prophet (SAW) and the third Imam of the Shiite Muslims, at Karbala on the tenth of Muharram in the year 61. The tragedy and heroism of the event, the resistance and self-sacrifice of the martyrs, are remembered during these days by the Shia and the Ahl as-Sunnah alike, and by the Shia with a special ardour, fervour and enthusiasm.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the ardour and enthusiasm inspired by the martyrs of Karbala is something unsurpassed in the history of religions. No individual or group in the history of the world has attracted such sustained admiration and love in the hearts of their followers as the martyrs of Karbala and in particular the figure of al-Husayn ibn Ali (AS), an admiration which has not dwindled in the course of more than thirteen and a half centuries that have elapsed since that event."
To read more, click here. |
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ISLAM IN THE NEWS
Dedication of New Franklin Mosque Marks New Era of Faith
"It took 30 years, but now the members of the Masjid-e-Ali finally have their own mosque in which to worship.
The mosque was dedicated on Saturday with Mayor Brian Levine, Congressman Rush Holt, D-12th District, and township religious leaders on hand to welcome the newest house of worship to Franklin.
...Since the Muslim Foundation formed in 1980, its 200 families have worshipped in other area mosques while waiting to build their own. In 2001, the group bought 3.3 acres of land on Cedar Grove Lane, a central location since most of the members live within 20 miles of Franklin Township.
'It's very exciting that after all these years, we've finally found a place,' said Mustafa Karim, a member of the executive committee of the Muslim Foundation Inc. 'Cedar Grove Lane is kind of called Interfaith Lane because of all the houses of worship here, so we thought it was appropriate. We've been very well-received by the township and its people.'
...'We want to assimilate an Islamic understanding and also teach the children to be good citizens of the United States,' Karim said. 'We're proud to be American Muslims. They say where ever you put your hat down is your home. Wherever you put your place of worship becomes your home too.'"
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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NASIMCO in partnership with The World Federation has initiated Muharram Appeal 1432 with the title "40 Islamic Centers in 40 Days". The Appeal will be launched at the Sixth Constitutional Conference in Birmingham, UK on December 4th, 2010.
Look out for more information regarding this appeal after December 4th on the NASIMCO website and through your local Jamaats. |
NASIMCO CSAA Scholarship Awards
NASIMCO is pleased to announce the following winners of the Community Service and Academic Achievement (CSAA) Awards. The awards were presented on Eid-ul-Adha through the respective Jamaats.
Marhum Sultan Davdani Scholarship Award ($2,000):
Zainab Somji of Orlando
Jaffer Family Foundation Scholarship Award ($2,000):
Farha Fazel of Allentown
Marhum Abbas Alloo Scholarship Award ($1,000):
Abbasali Hassanali of Toronto
MP Charitable Foundation Scholarship Award ($1,000):
Sanakausar Shamji of Miami
Al-Mahdi Scholarship Award ($1,000):
Hoda Tadayon of London, ON
Ahlul Bayt Scholarship Award ($1,000):
Sakina Khaku of Allentown |
Community Development - Edmonton
NASIMCO, in partnership with the Edmonton Jamaat, held a two day Self-Development Workshop titled "Understanding Self for Success" on November 13th and 14th. The Workshop involved experiential learning through activities, open discussions, interactive exercises, role play and self-reflection. It covered several topics, including "Understanding Self", "the Myers Briggs Type Indicator questionnaire and self-assessment", "Emotional Intelligence" and " Political Intelligence".
One participant reflected on the experience: "I liked how it taught me that it's in my control to be the person I want to be and provided me the tools to overcome the obstacles in life". If you would like more information about this program or if you would like to hold a workshop in your Jamaat, contact the NASIMCO Secretariat at secretariat@nasimco.org. |
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Muharram Speakers for North America
Jamaats in United States:
Allentown (Al Ahad Islamic Center) - Dr. Mustafa Mawjee and Zakira Saeeda Panjwani
Los Angeles (SIJLA) - Dr. Mahmood Datoo
Miami (IJA) - Maulana Maher (Urdu) and Br. Fayyaz Jaffer (English)
Minnesota (Anjuman-e-Asghari) - Br. Nisar Rahim
New Jersey (Masjid-e-Ali) - Sheikh Amir Mukhtar Faizi
New York (Husseini Madressah) - Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi
Orlando (Husseini Islamic Center) - Sheikh Shahnawaz Mahdavi and Zakira Rosemin Khimji
Seattle (IMAN) - Sheikh Abbas Virjee
Minnesota (Imam Husain Islamic Center) - Sheikh Ali Ahmed Baghdadi
Maryland (IMEC) - Sheikh Mohammad Hussain Shah and Dr. A. Hashemi
Jamaats in Canada:
Bathurst (Jaffari Community Centre) - Sayyid Mehdi Modaressi and Zakira Begum Rabab Asgari Hirji
Brampton (Masumeen Islamic Center) - Sheikh Arif Abdulhussain Edmonton (ISIA) - Sayyid Osama al-Attar Hamilton (Razavi Islamic Centre) - Maulana Mujtaba Musa Kitchener (ISIJ-KW) - Sheikh Murtaza Bachoo London (Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre) - Syed Ali Naqvi
London (Al Mehdi Al Muntathar Union) - Syed Ahmed Kassem
Ottawa (ISIA) - Br Javed Jafri
Vancouver (Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre) - Al-Haj Hussein Walji and Zakira Tahera Jaffer |
Shabbir and Abbas Tejani (also known as the Tejani Brothers) have released their sixth nawha volume in time for Muharram 1432. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the CD "Hussain (as) Vai", please write to info@nawhas.com. You can watch a preview on YouTube.
Husein Virji is also releasing a volume of nawhas on Muharram 1st, 1432. The volume is entitles "Bayn-ul-Haramayn", or "Between the Holy Shrines of Imam Hussayn (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS)". A preview of the volume is now available on YouTube with excerpts from 4 tracks. CDs can be pre-ordered by writing to enquiries@huseinvirji.com. |
Ahlul Bayt TV Update - Interview with Lauren Booth
Lauren Booth, an English broadcaster, journalist, human rights activist and sister-in-law of Tony Blair, converted to Islam in October of 2010. She recently appeared on Ahlul Bayt TV where she spoke on the public reaction towards her becoming a veiled Muslim woman, as well as discussed the many areas which affect Muslim women living in the West. To watch the interview, click here.
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Khutba Campaign - Rights of Muslims with Disabilities
The annual observance of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities is due to take place on Friday, December 3rd. The aim of the day is to promote awareness of the rights of people with disabilities and will be observed around the world by focusing on issues related to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in communities and societies.
With this focus in mind, a Khutba campaign initiated by the Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D) has been launched. As December 3rd is a Friday, Mosques across Canada and the United States will focus their Khutbas on disability rights and obligations in the Islamic tradition. In keeping with the theme of the 2010 NASIMCO Conference, "Care to Care?", NASIMCO believes in the importance of recognizing and realizing the rights of Muslims with disabilities. We therefore encourage all mosques to dedicate their Khutba accordingly on Decmeber 3rd.
For more information or guidelines on the Khutba content, please contact the NASIMCO Secretariat. |
Disabilities Event - Mississauga
A weekly activity night for individuals with intellectual disabilities has been arranged at Applewood School. The initiative has been organized by the Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D). There will be an initial meeting on Wednesday, December 1st at 6:30 PM at Applewood School (3675 Thomas St., Mississauga, ON L5M 7E6).
For more information, please contact CAM-D at www.camd.ca. |
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