Assalamu Alaykum:
I pray you receive this in the best of health and iman and may you and your family be always blessed with the best of everything. On behalf of everyone at the Islamic Shura Council, I thank you for your continued support.
I am also very pleased to share a brief summary of our 2012 accomplishments and our plans for 2013. I encourage you to review this and ask you to consider making a generous 2012 year-end contribution to the Shura Council.
2012 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. As promised, we finished the first ever survey of SoCal Masajid and published a detail report. We believe this report will help us plan our future better, by learning more about our Masajid and communities, and our religious and lay leadership.
2. We also published two editions of our Community Resource Directory, which includes all of our members mosques and organizations, as well as MSAs and schools across Southern California.
3. Shura Council held a successful conference on Religious Freedom with Loyola Marymount University to dispel myths that have arisen from anti-sharia legislation in over 25 states and provide objective information about Islam and Muslims.
4. With the help of the ACLU, we successfully advocated for and convinced the Los Angeles County Jail system to serve halal meals to Muslims inmates.
These are but some of the major accomplishments of the Shura Council this year. Let me also offer you an idea of what we'll be focusing on in 2013.
2013 PLANS
1. Prison Outreach Program and Services: By the grace of Allah and your support, we have commissioned Imam AbdulHafiz (a retired Federal Prisons Chaplain) to lead and direct this important new program. Insha'Allah, we will now be able to assist incarcerated Muslims by providing Islamic education and materials and also continue to advocate for their religious rights.
2. Masjid Manual: We have already been working on this project and plan to complete it by mid-2013, insha'Allah. When published, this Masjid Manual - the first of its kind - will cover the areas of Masjid Governance & Operations, Programs & Policies, Planning & Strategic Development among other important areas. This resource seeks to support our member masajid and organizations as they professionalize and expand their work and services.
3. Conference on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): As a continuation of our educational efforts for our fellow Americans, we will hold a conference on the life and legacy of Prophet Muhammad on March 9th. More information will be made available about this conference very shortly.
Over this last decade, SoCal has added 39% more Masajid and we say Alhamdulillah! The next critical step is to effectively organize and empower our Masajid so that they can serve their respective communities even better. And, this is our primary focus in 2013 and beyond.
I hope you will find our 2012 accomplishments and 2013 plans worthy of your moral and financial support and consider one of the following:
Monthly contribution of any amount through direct deposit or credit card donation.
One-time donation by check or credit card.
As Chairman of the Shura Council, I reassure you of our firm commitment to optimize every penny that you would donate in serving our faith, defending our community and advancing our values for the good of all.
JazakAllahu Khayran. Wassalam,
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi Chairman
p.s. - Your donations are fully tax-deductible under federal 501(c)3 rules and Shura Council is also zakat eligible. Anything donated on or before Dec 31, 2012 can be deducted for your tax returns for this year.
|