Author: Berlin Mosque

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Preparing for Ramadan Series at IAGH

Assalaamu-alaikum,
Dear brothers and sisters:
Here are some awesome events at Berlin masjid in the next few weeks:
Friday April 24th – The Muslim American Society is hosting a Youth Revival evening at Berlin Masjid (1780 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin) from 7pm to 10:30pm. They will conduct lectures and workshop and will pray Maghrib and Esha together on that evening.
Saturday May 9th – 5:30pm to 7:30pm – Tree of Life trip to Palestine – Pot luck event. Hear about the awesome experience our youth and adults experienced (Our visit to Al-Aqsa, the heart breaking scene at Hebron – where the tomb of Abraham is and reclaiming a mosque bombed by the Israelis, where we prayed at) A joint program between Berlin masjid and Old Lyme Congregational Church.
Saturday May 16th – 5:30 to 7:30pm Education and Upbringing (Tarbiyyah) in Islam for a new generation – Pot luck event by brother Mazen Mokhtar – Executive Director of MAS – CT chapter.
Please try to make yourself available as we get into the preparation for the beautiful month of Ramadan!
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April Events at IAGH

NEWS ALLERT – Imam Refai has been selected to be the first full time Imam at Berlin masjid – Please join me in congratulating him. He will start his duties after Ramadan
Sheikh Syed Faragali has been invited to lead prayers and Taraweeh in the month of Ramadan
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Saturday 11th of April Pot luck dinner program with Chaplain Kaiser Aslam – “Ramadan is fast approaching – Welcoming and approaching this beautiful month” – 6pm to 9pm
DAILY AND WEEKLY EVENTS:
 Salat times – Fajr 5:30am, Dhuhr 1:00pm, Asar 5:00pm, Maghrib – sunset and Esha – 9:00pm – PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND PRAYERS IN JAMA’A. We would love to have you!
Jumma salat will be from 1pm to 1:40pm.
Qur’an classes – Every Monday and Thursday – 6pm to 7:30pm
Women’s halaqa group with Prof. Feryal Salem – Tuesday 10am to 12 noon at the masjid – all purpose conference hall.
Women’s Qur’an class with Sr. Ghoufran – Every Wednesday – 6pm to 7:30pm
Arabic classes – Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon
Friday after maghrib Tafseer with Imam Refai
SUNDAY SCHOOL – 10:30am to 1:30pm – including youth-led salat in congregation
COMMUNITY NEWS – The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut will have its annual fund-raiser banquet 5pm to 9pm at the West Hartford Town Hall – please support this worthy cause. Admission is free! Keynote speech – Chaplain David Coolidge
Other Announcements:  (IF YOU WOULD LIKE A BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT WITH THE MONTHLY MASJID E-MAIL LETTER – WE CAN DO THIS TO OUR LARGE LISTING FOR $100 AN ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE MASJID NEWSLETTER – it will appear at the bottom of the e-mail news letter as paid advertisements – as this is a masjid newsletter relevant e-mails will have to be approved)
The masjid will also start a “masjid comfort food group” – to provide food for community members that are in need. We are looking for 20 individuals that can volunteer to cook a dinner in emergencies. We are also looking for volunteers who are willing to transport food. Please contact Sr. Sania Mahmood through her e-mail saniamahmood13@gmail.com. If you have an emergency please contact her so she can activate the group. Thank you Sania!
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IAGH Sunday School Registration Starts March 22, 2015

Dear Parents,
Asalam Alikom,
Registration for the next academic year 2015-2016 will start this Sunday March 22, 2015 between 10:45 am and 12:45pm inshallah.
The registration schedule is shown below. Please follow the schedule based on the FAMILY last name. There are two weeks assigned to each group of alphabets (Family last name)
Please make sure you register within the specified dates for your family’s last name.

Date       Names Starting with …

 

March 22        Family Last name starting with A, B, C

March 29        Family Last name starting with A, B, C

April 5             Family Last name starting with D, E, F, G, H, I, J

April 12           Family Last name starting with D, E, F, G, H, I, J

April 19           Family Last name starting with K, L, M, N

April 26           Family Last name starting with K, L, M, N

May 10            Family Last name starting with O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

May 17             Family Last name starting with O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

May 24            New Family Registration

Returning Families who missed their registration date can register ($25 Late Registration Fee Applies)

May 31            New Family Registration

Returning Families who missed their registration date can register ($25 Late Registration Fee Applies)

August 30       Book Sale

New Family Registration

Returning Families who missed their registration date can register ($25 Late Registration Fee Applies)

September 13   New Family Registration, if seats are available

Fee Schedule:

Number of Students (children)    Total Tuition Fees $
1                                                           $225
2                                                           $300
3                                                           $350
4                                                           $400
5                                                           $450

Notes:

  

*If you have any outstanding balance, you will be required to pay that first before registering for next year and it will be two separate payments in that case.
*Returning families are those who enrolled in this academic year 2014-2015. Others are considered new family.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely 
Amina Masri
Principal
IAGHWeekendSchool@gmail.com

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Friday March 13th at IAGH

assalaamu-alaikum,

This Friday March 13th Sheikh Dr. Shadee Elmasry will be giving the khotba and that afternoon at 6pm he will be giving the talk titled “Shield Against Dajjal”. Please visit the short clip about his talk at the YouTube clip below:
It is a potluck event so please register to bring food at:
The talk and dinner will be from 6pm to Esha at 8:30pm Inshah-Allah
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March Events at Berlin Masjid

Assalaamu-alaikum
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Friday March 6th – Special interview with Imam Refai Arefin – 2pm after Khotba Q and A; 3pm Youth Q and A; 6pm Potluck and lecture by Imam Refai “Vision for IAGH” (Please sign up to bring a dish at the masjid or on the website: http://iaghhighlights.weebly.com/community-dinners.html
Friday March 13th Pot luck dinner – Shield Against Dajjal – Dr. Shadee Elmasry and Safina Society. Please sign up to bring a dish at the masjid or on the website: http://iaghhighlights.weebly.com/community-dinners.html    
Friday March 20th into 21st – MYAC Sisters Youth Qiyam-ul-layl from Salat-ul Esha till Fajr – flyer to follow
Sunday March 29th Resume and College workshop with Connecticut Muslim Professionals and MYAC – 2pm to 4:30pm – “Getting into College and getting on the right path” at the masjid – all purpose conference hall
Friday/Saturday/Sunday March 27th to 29th – Imam interview Muhammad Ibn Ahmed – details to follow.
DAILY AND WEEKLY EVENTS:
Daily – Fajr 6:00am, Dhuhr 12:30pm, Asar 3:30pm, Maghrib – sunset and Esha – 7:30pm – PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND PRAYERS IN JAMA’A. We would love to have you!
Jumma salat will be from 1pm to 1:40pm.
Qur’an classes – Every Monday and Thursday – 6pm to 7:30pm
Women’s halaqa group with Prof. Feryal Salem – Tuesday 10am to 12 noon at the masjid – all purpose conference hall.
Women’s Qur’an class with Sr. Ghoufran – Every Wednesday – 6pm to 7:30pm
Arabic classes – Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon
Daily khatira after Esha – with Imam Refai, Sheikh Barakat, Sheikh Sami Shamma and brother Waleed.
(Tafseer with Imam Refai on Friday after Esha. Saturday with Sami Shamma – basic Fiqh for all of us! Brother Waleed on Wednesday with purification of the soul).
SUNDAY SCHOOL – 10:30am to 1:30pm – including youth-led salat in congregation
Other Announcements:  (IF YOU WOULD LIKE A BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT WITH THE MONTHLY MASJID E-MAIL LETTER – WE CAN DO THIS TO OUR LARGE LISTING FOR $100 AN ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE MASJID NEWSLETTER – it will appear at the bottom of the e-mail news letter as paid advertisements – as this is a masjid newsletter relevant e-mails will have to be approved)
The masjid will also start a “masjid comfort food group” – to provide food for community members that are in need. We are looking for 20 individuals that can volunteer to cook a dinner in emergencies. We are also looking for volunteers who are willing to transport food. Please contact Sr. Sania Mahmood through her e-mail saniamahmood13@gmail.com. If you have an emergency please contact her so she can activate the group. Thank you Sania!
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Sunday School Closed 2/22/2015

Assalaamu-alaikum,
Due to the risk of ice on the roads as the snow turns to rain which has caused hundreds of accidents on the roads in the south we have decided to cancel Sunday school yet again.
Inshah-Allah we will see you all on March 1st.
Wassalaam,
Reza Mansoor
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February 2015 at Berlin Masjid – Allah’s House is Open for You!

I would like to thank the community for a successful masjid fundraiser we raised almost $85,000 despite the frigid weather we experienced – if you would like to donate – please mail your checks to IAGH – 1781 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin, CT 06037 – May Allah reward you generously at a time when it is needed the most – we have to be a force the counters the fear and negativity around Islam!
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Sunday February 8th – 11th and 12th grade youth presentation on activities at the Berlin masjid and modern media. 1pm to 1:30pm – please come and support our youth
Saturday February 14th Pot luck dinner – details to follow…
Sunday February 22nd – Youth excursion – Flight Trampoline Park 7pm to 9:30pm
DAILY AND WEEKLY EVENTS:
Daily – Fajr 6:15am, Dhuhr 12:30pm, Asar 3:00pm, Maghrib – sunset and Esha – 7:30pm – PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND PRAYERS IN JAMA’A. We would love to have you!
Jumma salat will be from 1pm to 1:40pm roughly. Imam Refai as assistant Imam does the Jumma salat.
Qur’an classes – Every Monday and Thursday – 6pm to 7:30pm
Arabic classes – Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon
Daily khatira after Esha – with Imam Refai, Sheikh Barakat, Sheikh Sami Shamma and brother Waleed. Tafseer with Imam Refai on Friday after Esha. Saturday with Sami Shamma – basic Fiqh for all of us! Brother Waleed on Wednesday with purification of the soul.
SUNDAY SCHOOL – 10:30am to 1:30pm – including youth-led salat in congregation
Other Announcements:  (IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PRIVATE ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE MASJID E-MAIL LETTER – WE CAN DO THIS TO OUR LARGE LISTING FOR $100 AN ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE MASJID NEWSLETTER – it will appear at the bottom of the e-mail news letter as paid advertisements – as this is a masjid newsletter relevant e-mails will have to be approved)
The masjid will also start a “masjid comfort food group” – to provide food for community members that are in need. We are looking for 20 individuals that can volunteer to cook a dinner in emergencies. We are also looking for volunteers who are willing to transport food. Please contact Sr. Sania Mahmood through her e-mail saniamahmood13@gmail.com. If you have an emergency please contact her so she can activate the group. Thank you Sania!
We are looking for a caretaker who can work 20 hours in the masjid – Most of the work is on Friday 8 hours and Sunday 8 hours and the other times are flexible. Please e-mail me back for details if you are interested.
Wassalaam,
Reza
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Make a Difference in the House of Allah – Saturday January 31st 2015 – Fundraising Event

The Holy Prophet (SAL) said “The most beloved places to Allah are the masajid. Even when he is occupied with the matters of the world such as family, work etc, the heart of the Muslim should be always attached to the masjid”
Please attend a fundraiser for one of the most beloved places of Allah – Berlin masjid. Hear about all we do to make this a vibrant place for all!
Goals – Regular activities – we are paying two Imams and several others scholars and a new cleaning person for the masjid activities:
            Daily salat (including khatira after Esha almost daily with multiple visiting scholars),
            Jumma salat with Imam Refai (“one of the best khateeb’s in the area”),
            Quran classes twice a week from 6pm to 7:30pm Monday and Thursday,
            Arabic classes (for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels) on Saturdays,
            Sunday school (with 450 students),
            Heating and lighting and maintaining security for the masjid.
            Learn from the youth what is inspiring them to come to the masjid for youth programs.
            Support these and be associated with defending all the hate that we are steadily opposing as Muslims.
Your contribution counts – please support your masjid – regular collections are not adequate for these programs. Anything you give is considered Sadaqa jariah that gives ongoing reward even after ones death. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to make a difference.
Visionary goals: Full time Imam search, cemetery project and five year plan committee for the masjid
Date Saturday January 31st 2015 – from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Venue – Islamic Association of Greater Hartford – conference hall.
The Holy Prophet May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him stated in another Hadith that the condition of a believer outside the Masjid is that of a fish out of water. A fish obviously has no desire to be out water, and if it is taken out will long to return, and will remain restless for as long as it is out of water.
If you cannot attend please make checks payable to the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford and mail to: Treasurer – Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, 1781 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin, Connecticut 06037
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“Local Muslims Seek to Serve Humanity, Be a Voice of Moderation” – The Berlin Citizen

Assalaamu-alaikum,
The need for positive press coverage for Muslims is vitally important. Alhamdulillah the work of MCCT has shone the light on the importance of this work again:
Local Muslims seek to serve humanity, be a voice of moderation   
Published: January 14, 2015 | Last Modified: January 14, 2015 11:43AM
By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
For Berlin resident Dr. Reza Mansoor, his faith is a large source of inspiration that pushed him to consider a career in medicine. One translation of a verse that the Hartford Hospital cardiologist said inspired his interest in medicine reads, “To save a life would be as great a virtue as to save all of mankind.”
Mansoor is not alone in taking inspiration from his religion, Islam. According to Cornell University, 42.7 percent of American Muslims, such as him, hold an advanced degree and one in 10 is a physician or medical doctor.
Mansoor serves as president of the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, which is based in Berlin. He is also a founding member of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, an organization that seeks to serve its faith through social activism and community service as well as to educate the public about one of the less well understood faith communities in the state.
The group was “founded by some of the local leaders realizing that the actions of extremists had resulted in unfair stereotyping of Muslims,” the MCCT website reads.
“We wanted to live Islam through what the Quran asks us to do,” Mansoor said. “The Quran asks us to be aware and to serve humanity. That is the way you serve God… (it is) a form a worship.”
Local Muslims join members of other faiths to participate regularly in service at soup kitchens, including Mercy Shelter in Hartford and the Friendship Center in New Britain. Local Muslims also participate in Habitat for Humanity’s House of Abraham Program, which brings together Muslims, Jews, and Christians who share Abraham as a common religious figure.
Muslims also participate in the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger in Hartford every year. Mansoor said the community has welcomed service from Muslims. For example, the walk accommodates the Muslims’ midday prayer, which falls during the Foodshare program. All three faith leaders participate in an interfaith prayer, followed by the Muslims’ midday prayer, after which the walk goes on.
In the media, “you hear that Islam is a violent religion,” Mansoor said, but for him Islam is a religion that condemns violence; he cites a scripture that compares killing a person to “killing all of humanity.” Mansoor also said that Islam is not a religion opposed to free speech.
Local Muslims sought to spearhead efforts to hold a memorial service remembering victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the 10thanniversary, and found their efforts welcomed by other local faith leaders, Mansoor said. The organization also recently posted a statement on its website condemning the attack by gunmen on the offices of the Parisian magazine Charlie Hebdo.
“I don’t think we should just blame the media,” for stereotypes of Muslims or the ways violent extremists are sometimes conflated with all Muslims, Mansoor said.
“We should try to make a difference in the community and allow people to ask us what Islam represents to us.”
One problem is that many people know very little about their Muslim neighbors in American communities. “Not only are we a minority community that is not well understood, we are a relatively new minority community in America,” Mansoor said.
“There are extremists in all faith communities, and we have our extremists,” Mansoor said. The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, however, “actively tries to show the true calling of Islam, which is not only to serve humanity but to be a voice of moderation.”
According to Mansoor, moderation is an important tenet of his faith. “At all times, a Muslim should be thinking, ‘is this the middle course,’” avoiding extremism while also not becoming too lax in one’s faith, he said.
“This comes directly from the life of the prophet,” Mansoor said.
After the Islamic prophet Muhammad was forced to leave Mecca and settled in Medina, he drafted the constitution that would govern that community, which included local Jews as well as polytheists. “He formed the constitution of Medina, giving rights to women and to minorities, and this is hardly ever spoken about,” Mansoor said.
“Islam is very much a religion that asks you to go out and be part of the community and do service to the community,” Mansoor said.
For more information visit www.muslimcoalitionct.org/.