September 2013 Newsletter
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A JOURNEY OF DEVOTION
by Dr Usama Hasan
The Hajj is a journey full of symbolism, for it represents the soul's journey towards God. Each stage and each aspect of the pilgrimage is replete with profound meanings about life, worship and realities of faith, especially the love and awe of God.
Timing
There are only two lunar months between the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and of the Qur'an, and the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah, literally the "month of the Hajj." This means that the two Eids or annual festivals of Islam, which are associated with Ramadan and the Hajj, occur within a quarter of the year, leaving over nine months without a major festival. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah observed that God thus invites His guests for the Hajj immediately after they have been purified and cleansed by the magnificent month of fasting, prayers, charity, discipline and the inner struggle that is Ramadan. Only the purest souls truly make the journey to the house and presence of God.
The State of Ihram
The state of Ihram, which takes its name from the same root as haram, indicates a state of sacredness when many otherwise-halal matters are temporarily prohibited. It is a preparation for visiting the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Imam Ghazzali stated that the Ka'bah is so holy and beloved to God that a vast area of land around it is made sacred, such that we cannot hunt prey or even cut down a tree in the haram area. Even criminals find refuge there, for "Whoever enters it is safe."
Furthermore, even visiting the Ka'bah requires that we assume the sacred state of Ihram with restrictions on dress, perfume and marital relations imposed during this time. All of this serves as a reminder that in the neighborhood and precincts of the House of God, we must be in a heightened state of spiritual awareness...continue reading on www.IQRAfoundation.com
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Timely Book Choices
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Order your books now for Eid-ul Adha!
Come to IQRA Book Center or visit IQRA's Online Bookstore, or purchase an e-Book
2751 W. Devon Ave, Chicago, IL | 773-274-2665 | mail order # 1-800-521-4272| 11:00a-8:00p daily
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IQRA' at the ISNA Convention
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The IQRA' booth was once again bustling at the ISNA Convention. IQRA' had an Amazon Kindle Fire Giveaway Contest.
Sobia Sheikh won the IQRA' Amazon Kindle Fire Giveaway at ISNA Convention 2013. Prize was awarded to Sobia Sheikh by Dr. Hisham Yahya Altalib who is the founding member and director of SAAR Foundation and he is also a founding member and director of finance of IIT."
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Middle East IQRA' Tour
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Dr. Abidullah Ghazi has returned from his productive tour of the Middle East. He visited UAE on the invitation of a few institutions and friends who were interested in the IQRA'Digital Portal initiative. He met some of the organizations dealing with education. They showed keen interest in the IQRA' program and promised to think of converting textbook based education to digital. There is wide interest in the Middle East to go digital within three years, and IQRA' has great prospect to be part of this digital revolution.Some educators and schools showed interest in IQRA' educational program, which is in English, and felt the Middle East market is ready for translation of IQRA' Program in Arabic. Dr. Ghazi acceding to the advice of his friends has established a team of translators and designers who have already started working on the translation project.Some educators and schools showed interest in the IQRA' educational program, which is in English, and felt the Middle East market is ready for translation of IQRA' Program in Arabic. Dr. Ghazi acceding to the advice of his friends has established a team of translators and designers under the professional leadership of Fahmi Baldo, a professional translator and scholar, who has already started working on the translation project.IQRA disturbers in Dubai have exchanged hands with a brand new and energetic team; they have assured Dr. Ghazi a more vigorous marketing strategy for IQRA' educational programs.Dr. Ghazi has an opportunity to perform Umrah and renewed some of the relations that had initially helped him to start IQRA' International. He specially paid a vist to Dr. Abdullah Omer Nasseef, former President of King Abdulaziz University, who initiated support of the the Project and he was invited to a sumptuous dinner by Husam Shaikh, former secretary General of King Abdulaziz University. He also attended a dinner with Shaikh Saleh Kamel and Shaikh Yasser Yamani at Dallah Center. Dr. Ghazi said, "Now that IQRA' is reaching the stage of financial viability, it is our obligation that we thank our old friends for their support and hospitality, so I under took this mission to specially thank our benefactors...However, greatest thanks are due to Allah swt who gave us tawfiq to serve Him and courage to continue the effort," aid Dr. Ghazi, "I have spent much time in haram praying for all our Ansarm colleagus and friends who have offered us encouragement and support throughout these forty long years since we initiated this work.
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IQRA' Hosts Delegation of Asatizah from Singapore
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 Following members from the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore visited Chicago upon the request of IQRA' to discuss the post implementation matters of Madrasah Education System of SIngapore which was developed by IQRA'-
1- Ustaz Fazalee Jakfar from Mosque development department at Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious council of Singapore)http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/index.aspx
2- Ustaz Zulhilmi Mohamad . Imam with MasjidAn-Nahdhahunder Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious council of Singapore)http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Mosques.aspx?id=318
3- Ustaz Fakhrur Razi: . Imam with MasjidAl-Mukmininat from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious council of Singapore)http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/Mosques.aspx?id=314
IQRA' also arranged their visits to the following organizations:-
1. CIOGC
2. East West University
3. Lutheran Seminary
4. Islamic Foundation Villa Park (School & Masjid)
5. Gain Peace Foundation
6. MEC Masjid in Morton Grove
7. MCCFTS
During their visit, the MUIS aimed to gain a better understanding of Muslims in the greater Chicago community, while offering the other organizations with an insight on their organization in Singapore, mainly the implementation of their madrasah education system. Members of the MUIS explained: the role of their organization in Singapore, the management and collection process of Zakat, masjid development, Imam's training, marriage guidance courses, Dawah Program teacher's training program and the Madrasah Education System for youth and adults.
The Chicago organizations had an opportunity to educate the MUIS on their role and services to the community.
To learn more about MUIS,click here!
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IQRA' Visits the Islamic Center of Naperville
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The IQRA' chief editor, Mr. Huseyin Abiva, was given the opportunity to visit with the team of educators based out of the Islamic Center of Naperville, one of Chicagoland's western suburbs. Mr. Abiva presented IQRA's revised curriculum, along with its series of textbooks and workbooks. The presentation was well received and educators were quite taken with the new direction IQRA' has taken in textbook design and the presentation of Islamic instruction.
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CIOGC & IQRA' Collaborative Meeting
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 IQRA' as a member of CIOGC urges you to support CIOGC. Please find the letter below for your kind consideration:
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Asalamu Alaikum and Ramadan Kareem! May this Ramadan be very rewarding for you. For over 20 years, The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) has been the driving force behind the advancement of Muslim community interests in Chicagoland. With 58 member organizations including mosques, schools and community groups, the Council works to represent the Chicagoland community in almost all aspects of community life including government relations and civic engagement, media and communications, youth development, and human and social services.
Support CIOGC today with a tax-deductible and Zakat-eligible donation!
Be a PILLAR of CIOGC and contribute $100/mo
Be a SPONSOR of CIOGC and contribute $50/mo
Be a SUPPORTER of CIOGC and contribute $25/mo
http://www.ciogc.org/Donation.aspx
Thank you and may Allah (SWT) bless you for your generosity during the holy month of Ramadan & Shawwal.
- The CIOGC Board and Staff
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SUPPORT THE IQRA' DIGITAL PORTAL TODAY
|  IQRA' Educational Digital Portal is a unique idea that is being made available as IQRA' has completed its educational programs after almost four decades of journey by its founders and three decades since its inception. The cost of such an Academic Portal in brick and mortar institutions would run into hundreds of millions of dollars, however, the digital cost of all that work is $5,000,000 over a period of 3-5 years. Average Masajid or schools in America cost almost 7-10 million dollars; As we are, Alhamdulillah building Masajid and schools locally for our cities and neighborhoods, the digital project is for the entire global village and for all time to come insha'Allah, with reasonable overhead expense. It will also produce its own resources for maintenance and expansion.
Our request to those who can afford is:
$5000, plus or minus, from 100 people, per year, with intentions for five years
$1000, plus or minus from 1000 people, per year, with intentions for five years
$500, plus or minus from 1000 people, per year, with intentions for five years
$250-100, plus or minus from 1000 people, with intentions for five years
Kindly participate in this Sadaq-i-Jariya and dedicate it to your beloved ones who have passed away or to your generations that must grow as righteous Muslims and active citizens of our global village.
JazakAllah for your support!
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Educators' Column: SubhanAllah School is Back!
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Tips for Parents to Support your Child's Learning, by Samana Khan
IQRA' hopes you and your child had a wonderful summer. Here are some simple ways to help kids complete another successful school year.
- Make morning time meaningful
- Get Involved
- Stay Connected
- Get Organized
- Create a Routine
- Treat all Schools Equally
Make morning time meaningful.
- Reduce morning time tension by making sure kids have enough time to get ready for school.
- Eat breakfast with your children and encourage them to have a good day. Provide a healthy and filling breakfast to help kids focus. (look up healthy breakfast ideas for kids online).
Get involved.
- Offer to be a volunteer at your child's school. With recent budget cuts, teachers and schools can use all the help they can get. Work together with other parents to raise money to purchase much needed supplies for the classroom. (Ask the teacher what is needed before purchasing)....Continue reading this article on www.IQRAfoundation.com
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BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY: IQRA' Pearl Jubilee Dinner
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