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Pot luck dinner – Meet Muslim Refugee families

Assalaamu-alaikum,
Masjid pot-luck dinner on Saturday December 19th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Meet the most recent Muslim refugee families and learn how we can be more responsive to welcoming them and attending to their needs.
Please sign up for food to share with your brothers and sisters:
We need to mobilize to get:
1. Help in transport of refugees.
2. Help with visiting refugees and trying to engage them in the community.
3. Have an ‘Ansar’ family to help assist their needs on their arrival.
4. Help with financial assistance for these Muslims who have nothing but their bag of clothes and are in true need.
If you are able to help with any of these please come on Saturday and help welcome them to CT.
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December at Berlin masjid

Iqama times are:
Fajr – 6:15, Dhuhr – 12:30pm, Asar – 2:30pm, Maghrib – sunset. Isha – 7:30pm 
For more information visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IAGHBERLIN (Don’t forget to like us on facebook)                      
SPECIAL EVENTS:
1. Saturday December 5th – 3pm to 5pm Masjid Open House – Welcome your friends and neighbors to understand Islam. As we are being stigmatized we can educate – this is the way of Islam. Please help change the narrative
2. Saturday December 12th – Muslim Coalition of Connecticut Fundraiser Banquet – Rising to the Challenge: Charting Our Future. The Comfort Inn, Meriden. 5:30pm to 9pm – Please support the organizations that are working tirelessly for you
3. December 19th Masjid Pot-luck – 5:30pm to 7:30pm – Details to follow
Daily and weekly events:
Daily –  Join us for the daily prayers in Jama’a – Short Khathira with Imam Refai after Esha daily
Weekly – Friday 6pm to 7:30pm – Youth evening – Umar bin Al-Khattab – documentary and discussion with Imam Refai
             – Saturday after Esha lecture (7:30pm) – Tafseer with Imam Refai
             – Sunday after Esha lecture – (7:30pm) Seerah of the prophet with Imam Refai
Sunday School – 10:30am to Dhuhr Salat at 1:30pm – please pray with your children Dhuhr Salat when you pick them up! You will make them understand the importance of prayer in congregation. No Sunday School December 20th and 27th – winter break.
Qur’an reading and memorization classes – Mondays and Thursday 6pm to 7:30pm $20 a month per student.
Arabic classes start every Saturday 9am to 11am – Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes with Sheikh Sami Shamma, Imam Refai and Sr. Ghoufran Alababidi. New semester starts in January – please aim to study the language of the Qur’an so that you may better understand the word of Allah (SWT). Registration and classes begin on Saturday 9th January 2016.
Wassalaam,
Reza
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Dr. Reza Mansoor, president of IAGH on WNPR

Salam Alaikum,

On this episode of Colin McEnroe on 11/19, Dr. Reza Mansoor joins Mustafa Bayoumi (Professor of English at Brooklyn College, City University of New York; author of several books, including This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror) in educating the public on Islam and the peaceful nature of Islam in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Listen to this episode: http://wnpr.org/post/new-book-examines-muslim-american-life-and-war-terror-culture.

 

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IAGH statement regarding terror attacks in Paris

Statement from the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford on the occasion of the terror attacks in Paris.

 

Assalaamu-alaikum – God’s Peace be with you all!

In the name of Allah (the One God), the most compassionate and forgiving the Most merciful!

All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord, Cherisher and Sustainer of the Universe!

It is our duty, first as human beings and second as Muslims to stand up and speak out against the horrendous acts of senseless violence in Paris, Beirut and throughout the world. No ideology, least of all Islam allows for the taking of innocent civilian life, wherever it may be and whatever the cause being given as an excuse for this.

The Qur’an commands: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and be conscious of Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” [Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 8]

Islam requires that terrorism, wherever it occurs and whoever carries it out, be punished to the full extent of the law as it is a crime that causes not only carnage but paralyzing fear that must be overcome.

Our thoughts and prayers are for the family members and loved ones of those who lost their lives and continue to lose their lives in senseless violence throughout the world and we pray for a speedy recovery for all those injured and suffering due to acts of terror.

Any Muslim who plans, attempts or carries out a terrorist attack would be acting outside the boundaries of his or her faith and would be repudiated and condemned by our community!

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November at Berlin Masjid

Assalaamu-alaikum,

Don’t forget to change your clocks. Fall – back an hour – early on November 1st Sunday 1am!
Iqama times are:
Nov 1st to 15th – Fajr – 5:45, Dhuhr – 1:00, Asar – 3:30, Maghrib – sunset. Esha – 7:30pm
Nov 16th to 29th – Fajr – 6:15, Dhuhr – 1:00, Asar – 3:30, Maghrib – sunset. Esha – 7:30pm 
For more information visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IAGHBERLIN (Don’t forget to like us on facebook)                      
SPECIAL EVENTS:
1. Saturday November 14th Imam Zaid Shakir lecture on “Higher education for Higher Purposes” – 6pm. Please see flyer attached. This is a fundraiser event for Zaytuna College. Dinner will be served
2. Sunday November 15th – Muslim Coalition of Connecticut Leadership Banquet – “Higher Education – Cultivating Our Future” Keynote speaker – Imam Zaid Shakir at The Hartford Marriott. 5pm to 9pm – Awardees – Chaplain Khalid Latiff, Zaytuna College and Wesleyan University Center for the Arts
November 15th Deadline for trip to Palestine registration – email me back for more information
Daily and weekly events:
Daily –  Join us for the daily prayers in Jama’a – Short hadith after Esha daily
Weekly – Friday after Esha lecture – Tafseer of Qur’an with Imam Refai
             – Saturday after Esha lecture – Basic Fiqh that all of us need to know with Imam Refai
             – Sunday after Esha lecture – Seerah of the prophet with Imam Refai
Sunday School – 10:30am to Dhuhr Salat at 1:30pm – please pray with your children Dhuhr Salat when you pick them up! You will make them understand the importance of prayer in congregation.
Qur’an reading and memorization classes – Mondays and Thursday 6pm to 7:30pm $20 a month per student.
Arabic classes start every Saturday 9am to 11am – Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes with Sheikh Sami Shamma, Imam Refai and Sr. Ghoufran Alababidi.
Wassalaam,
Reza
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Palestine – What’s going on? What can I do? – Friday 23rd at 6pm – Berlin Masjid

There is an awesome event at Berlin masjid with an Israeli journalist and a Palestinian activist speaking about the Occupied territories. Why is there so much unrest and what we can do.
Please join us in listening and feeling the pain of the oppressive occupation with Gideon Levy (Israeli journalist) and Suhail Khalilieh (a Palestinian human rights activist). You too can be an agent of change!
October 23rd 6pm to 8pm – Berlin masjid conference hall
Go to the following website to see a prelude to Gideon Levy:
You will also here about the Tree of Life trip to Palestine in January – be an agent of change!
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Eid Mubarak! The blessings of Allah on you!

Assalaamu-alaikum,

Eid Mubarak – May Allah (SWT) shower His blessings on you and your family and accept your prayers, fasting and remembrance of Him on these blessed days. Let us remember Him often in the next few days as we celebrate the Days of Eid.
Times of Takbeer – 7am, 9am and 11am (Salat will follow half hour after Inshah Allah) Thursday 24th September.
Reminder of Etiquette of Eid:
Awake early and try to pray Fajr in Jama’at, Have a bath and put clean clothes and perfume. Remember the blessings you have and sincerely partake in Tasleem, Tahmeel and Takbeer of Allah. Come for the Eid Salat and greet your brother and sister with a SMILE. Partake in the TAKBEER in the masjid. Pray sincerely and listen to the sermon after the prayer. Make it a day of celebration for the whole family by visiting friends and relatives. Take the day off if you can and let your family and friends enjoy Eid with you! Make your intention to grow closer to Allah through prayer (as much as possible in the masjid in jama’at), fasting and charity and pray that you will be able to make it for Hajj soon. Pray for those less fortunate than you and for all the refugees.
Join us for the catered Eid dinner at the masjid on Saturday September 26th at 6pm – $15 (adults), $10 (ages 5-12) and free (under 5). PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY – LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE – Contact Sr. Aida 860-794-5141 or brother Mukhtar 860-966-8041.
OUR SADAQA COLLECTION WILL BE FOR THE REFUGEES IN CRISIS – ESPECIALLY FROM SYRIA! Please donate generously – that Allah may reward you generously.
Wassalaam,
Reza
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The greatest days are upon us – 1st 10 days of Dhul Hijjah – events at Berlin masjid

Assalaamu-alaikum,
Welcome to the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah – the greatest days of the year. We are encouraged to fast on these days (except the day of Eid) and increase our remembrance of Allah. Here’s wishing you a blessed ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja).” Then some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” (Reported by Tirmidhi)
Dates to remember – According to the majlis-us-shura of North America and based on dates in Makkah:
1. 1st of Dhul Hijjah – Tuesday September 15th 2015
2. The day of Arafat – Wednesday September 23rd – Fasting highly recommended if you are not performing the Hajj
3. Eid-ul Adha – Thursday September 24th. Takbeer times for the 3 prayers are 7am, 9am and 11am – prayers will be exactly half hour past the hour.
4. Eid celebration dinner (catered from a special restaurant) – Saturday September 26th at 6pm – $15 (adults), $10 (ages 5-12) and free (under 5) – babysitting will be available. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY – LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE – Contact Sr. Aida 860-794-5141 or brother Mukhtar 860-966-8041
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September at Berlin masjid

Assalaamu-alaikum,

 

The masjid is open for salat for all 5 prayers!

Iqama times are – Fajr – 5:30, Dhuhr – 1:30, Asar – 5:30, Maghrib – 5 minutes after sunset. Esha – 9pm (Esha times may change in a couple of weeks – please visit our facebook page for updates – https://www.facebook.com/IAGHBERLIN (Don’t forget to like us on facebook)

 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

 

1. Saturday September 12th 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Pot luck community dinner – ‘Preparing for Hajj – Imam Ashroff Ibrahim. Please sign up for a dish at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4eaea723a7fa7-community

 

Eid Ul Adha will be around the 23rd or 24th of September. Final date will depend on the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia and you will be informed of that as soon as we are aware. Please do plan to fast frequently in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah particularly on the day of Arafat (the day before Eid)

Takbeer times at Berlin masjid on the day of Eid will be at 7am, 9am and 11am – Salat will follow half hour after that.

 

Daily and weekly events:

 

Daily –  Join us for the daily prayers in Jama’a – Short hadith after Esha daily

 

Weekly – Friday after Maghrib lecture – Tafseer of Qur’an with Imam Refai

– Saturday after Maghrib lecture – Basic Fiqh that all of us need to know with Imam Refai

– Sunday after Maghrib lecture – Seerah of the prophet with Imam Refai

 

Sunday School – September 6th – First day of school – Orientation and classes – start of lectures at 10:30am and ends after Dhuhr Salat at 1:30pm – please pray with your children Dhuhr Salat when you pick them up! You will make them understand the importance of prayer in congregation.

September 13th – Last day of late registration (10:45am to 12:45pm)

 

Quran classes will start on Thursday September 4th – $20 a month per student – registration date Thursday September 4th. Classes on Mondays and Thursdays

 

Wassalaam,

 

Reza

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Sister Dalia appointed principal for Sunday School

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaykum,
I hope all is well with you and your families.
As the summer vacation comes to an end, I would like to share with you the good news that we have appointed a wonderful principal for the Sunday school, Sister Dalia Assem. Sister Dalia and her family have been part of our community for many years. She taught Islamic studies and Qur’an at our Sunday school and was one of the building mangers. In addition she led a training session for our teachers last academic year that was very successful.
Sister Dalia has a Bachelor’s degree in education and is working on her Master’s degree. She has tremendous experience in teaching, including teaching at Madina Academy. Sister Dalia will bring in all her education and experience to lead and improve the Sunday School.
I have asked Sister Fatma Antar to be the board representative and mentor for education.
Jazakum Allahu Khayrun,
Reza Mansoor