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Islam in the News
| A Pakistani boy saved the 'whole of mankind'
In several parts of the world today, the killing of innocent life has become so rampant that it has become, unfortunately, nothing more than a common theme in the news.
However, in reality no matter how many times a life is taken, that life is so precious and priceless that killing one human being is like the slaughter of all of humanity. The Holy Quran emphasizes that point - the severity of taking innocent life. Chapter 5, Verse 32 states, "If any one killed a person, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind."
At the same time, if any one person chooses to save a life, then he saves humanity. The same verse continues: "And if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole of mankind."
Hasan saw the bomber and challenged him, even though the boy's friends told him not to. The boy chased him and then finally threw himself on top of the bomber outside the main gates of his school. Hasan tackled him, and the device exploded. Both Hassan and the bomber died. Only two others were injured.
Hasan's bravery protected hundreds of schoolchildren in Hangu, Pakistan, from being killed. According to a police official, the school with more than 2,000 students was the target of the attack.
Hasan has been nominated by the president of Pakistan to receive the top civil award for bravery. Furthermore, the school will be renamed after the young man as a way of honoring his bravery.
-Fatima Kermalli is a member of and a Sunday school teacher at Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Pennsylvania in Allentown.
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 unified 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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The first Teacher Development and Support Program (TDSP) was offered in Seattle on January 18th and 19th, 2014. This program was produced by NASIMCO Center for Islamic Learning (CIL), in association with The World Federation Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE). Twelve participants registered, including a mix of teachers, substitutes and parents of different ages.
This fun and interactive two day program was geared for teachers who want to enhance their teaching skills to build a stronger future for our children and increase their potential as Madressah teachers. The participants were taught tools and skills that they can apply directly to their classrooms as well as areas of personal development for more long term objectives.
Testimonial from Br Sameer Tejani, Principal of IMAN School in Seattle:
"The excitement I sensed from the teachers at the end showed me how valuable all that effort was. I got an e-mail from a teacher requesting to buy some new supplies so that she could try new things out - I happily approved that! Another teacher has paired a slower Qur'an student with another peer who he looks up to - It's the new tools and ideas that teachers got that I believe will help them a lot going forward. Knowing that kids learn in different ways and mixing up instruction are some of the things that will make a big difference for them."
Br Sameer Tejani was instrumental in hosting the event in Seattle. The program was facilitated by Sr Siddika Jessa, Sr. Salma Jaffer and Sr. Sophia Dewji. NASIMCO Secretary General, Br. Habib Habib, also attended as an observer at some sessions, where he had an opportunity to receive feedback directly from the participants.
The next Teacher Development Program under CIL-NASIMCO will be offered in Orlando, Florida on February 8th and 9th, 2014.
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Community Event - Los Angeles
|  On December 21st, 2013, Shia Ithnaasheri Islamic Jamaat of LA (SIJLA) had their Annual Hussein Day Event. 24 members of the community volunteered at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank by preparing food boxes for Los Angeles' less fortunate. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is the largest food organizer and provider in the Los Angeles area and acts as a "middleman" between donors and local soup kitchens and homeless shelters. "This event is always one of my favorites," said Maisam Dewji, a youth leader in the community. "Yeah, it's hard getting here at 8:00 AM on a Saturday," he continued, "but giving back in any way is what makes us who we are. And it reminds us to be that much more grateful." In just 3.5 hours SIIJLA's volunteers, working side by side with volunteers from local colleges and churches, packaged over 40,000 pounds of food. The goal of Los Angeles' Food Bank is to ensure that "No one goes hungry in Los Angeles County." And, with the help of SIIJLA volunteers and others, this dream will hopefully become a reality. |
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Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat of PA (SIJPA) held a Milad-un-Nabi event at their Al Ahad Islamic Center on the night of 17th Rabi'ul Awwal (January 18, 2014) to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) and the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a.s). The event was attended by many dignitaries and community members.
A statement by one of the dignitaries present, Rev. Dr. Katherine Brearley, Pastor of Longswamp United Church of Christ, Mertztown, PA:
"On Saturday January 21st, 2014, we were welcomed as guests at Al Ahad Mosque in South Whitehall Township for prayers, readings from the Koran, community announcements, speeches, poetry and a meal, all celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. Gracious hospitality was extended to both men and women who were divided into two groups. We were each assigned a host who explained the proceedings to us, put us at ease and answered our questions.
We were glad to have such a wonderful opportunity to visit the Al Ahad Mosque on a feast day, and we hope to return one day with more of our young people. In the United Church of Christ we strongly believe in the power of relationships between people of different faiths, and it is clear that our hosts felt the same respect for us."
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The Az-Zahraa Wellness Team of Vancouver has organized its first annual Fallen Stars Memorial Tournament to be held during the BC Family Day Long Weekend of February 7th.
The event is to have families participate in sports and leisure activities to help encourage community engagement. At the same time, it is to highlight and remember those "fallen stars" who helped build the Vancouver community as it is today. The organizers feel, they need to take time to remember these legends and to pay respect to their legacies that they have left behind. The weekend is to include activities such as: Men's Volleyball, Girls' Badminton, Ladies' Badminton, Men's Table Tennis, Men's Badminton, Men's Hockey, Men's Soccer and board games.
The closing ceremonies is planned with a special tribute to Marhum Roshan Nazerali Merali Dewji who suddenly departed this world 20 years ago. Marhum was not only the President of the Vancouver Jamaat for several terms, he was also an active participant at The World Federation and NASIMCO level where he served and took personal interest in helping build Islamic communities across the globe.
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