Weekly News - Ready for Ramadan

May 26, 2017

Assalamu Alaikum

Dear Family & Friends of ICSC,

Ramadan begins tonight at sunset, insha'Allah! Join us at 9:50 p.m. for our first night of taraweeh prayers and a commentary on the first juz (section of Quran) by Salam Al-Marayati.

The Islamic Center is happy to offer an extensive Ramadan Program for the duration of the month. Each night, the program begins with a recitation of Quran, followed by a short commentary surrounding one juz, eight rak'a of taraweeh prayers, before closing with shaf' and witr prayer. On Saturdays, the Center is open until fajr for a Spiritual Night program for the whole family. PLEASE NOTE: this year, the Islamic Center will be serving community iftars Friday - Sunday. We invite you to bring your family and food and join the Center's family to break fast during the week. More information regarding our Ramadan program can be found at the links below.

As we prepare to start serving iftar, we kindly request that you please donate generously to our Iftar Sponosorship program. Community iftars are a cornerstone of our Ramadan experience at the Islamic Center. After a long day of fasting, we look forward to sitting down and sharing a meal with our brothers and sisters. This year, we are committed to sponsoring iftar three days a week and we are financially dependent upon the contributions of our community in order to do so. Thank you for supporting your Islamic Center this Ramadan.

We thank you for your continued commitment and support to our beloved Islamic Center of Southern California and for being an integral part of its community. May Allah (SWT) accept our fasts and du'a and shower us with His mercy and forgiveness this Ramadan.

We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones this Ramadan.

In peace,

Islamic Center of Southern California

P.S. STAY INFORMED. Please forward this newsletter to your friends so they can join our mailing list.

Since early 2016, the Communications Committee has been working diligently to create a new online home for the ICSC. We are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website - www.islamiccenter.com!

Now when you visit us online, you will have instant access to all Islamic Center information and updates at your fingertips. In addition to details regarding our classes and programs, you may also listen to recent khutbas, look up interactive & printable prayer times, read archived newsletters, check the calendar for our upcoming programs and events, and more!

In this Issue

Pre-Ramadan Fundraiser: Check out photos from the event!
Friday Khutba: Listen to last week's khutba by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, "Ramadan and Liberating the Self"
Coming Up at ICSC: Join us tonight, Friday, May 26, at 9:00 p.m. for Quranic recitation, commentary from Salam Al-Marayati, isha and taraweeh prayers
Donate: Thank you for your generosity

Pre-Ramadan Fundraising Dinner

"Ramadan the Month of Resistance"

The spirit of Ramadan filled the air on May 20 at the Hilton Pasadena where approximately 250 Islamic Center supporters gathered to celebrate the coming of Ramadan at the annual Pre-Ramadan Fundraising Dinner. This dinner is both the main source of funding the Ramadan Program and an opportunity for the community to come together one final time before embarking on a month-long journey of spiritual purification and fasting.

Guests were greeted with cheerful smiles from the Center staff and invited to have their photos taken in front of the Ramadan-themed backdrop. These souvenir photos were printed on-site and available for guests to take home at the end of the night. (Continue reading)

Umar Hakim (Featured Speaker), Mohamed Bzeek (Honored Guest), & Aron Kader (Comedian) pose in front of the Ramadan backdrop following the event.

Dr. Saleh & Lina Kholaki

Sarah, Omar & Anisa Ricci

See more photos!

Friday Khutbas

MAY 26

Hassan Zeenni

JUNE 2

Jihad Turk

Listen to Last Week's Friday Khutba (May 19)

Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl - "Ramadan and Liberating the Self"

Coming up at ICSC

This Weekend

FRIDAY (5/26)

*FIRST NIGHT OF TARAWEEH*

1 p.m. - Jumma'a Khutba & Prayer

Hassan Zeenni

6 p.m. - #RamadanInLA

Marium Mohiuddin

@ Barnsdall Art Park

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Salam Al-Marayati

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

SATURDAY (5/27)

*FIRST DAY OF FASTING*

10:30 a.m. - ICSC Food Pantry

Volunteers arrive @ 9:45 a.m.

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Dr. Maryam Qudrat

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

*SPIRITUAL NIGHT PROGRAM UNTIL FAJR*

SUNDAY (5/28)

*SUNDAY PROGRAM AND WEEKLY CLASSES WILL RESUME AFTER RAMADAN*

11 a.m. -Muslim Youth Group (MYG)

Nia Malika Dixon

Topic: 2017 Board Elections

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Baset

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

Next Week

MONDAY (5/29)

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Hassan Zeenni

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

TUESDAY (5/30)

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Edina Lekovic

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

WEDNESDAY (5/31)

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Dr. Gasser Hathout

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

THURSDAY (6/1)

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Dr. Eba Hathout

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

FRIDAY (6/2)

1 p.m. - Jumma'a Khutba & Prayer

Jihad Turk

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Jihad Turk

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

SATURDAY (6/3)

10:30 a.m. - ICSC Food Pantry

Volunteers arrive @ 9:45 a.m.

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary: Dr. Maryam Qudrat

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

*SPIRITUAL NIGHT PROGRAM UNTIL FAJR*

SUNDAY (6/4)

*LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL*

9:00 p.m. - Recitation & Commentary

Commentary:

Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Baset

10:00 p.m. - Isha & Taraweeh

Prayer Times

We are open for prayers five times a day, every day. The iqama (announcement for prayer) is ten minutes after the Call to Prayer (athan). You can find prayer times on our website.

"Those who spend in charity will be richly rewarded."

(Qur'an 57:10)