Volume 09|October 2019
IANA Monthly Newsletter
October 2019 Issue
Reminder:
(2:261) The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Hiiraan Flood Appeal
‌
The Islamic Association of North America urges everyone to stand with our brothers and sisters in the Hiiraan region of southern Somalia. They have been affected by huge floods that have devastated most of the region.

An estimated 400,000 people have been forced to leave their homes across the region due to early seasonal rains triggered torrential downpours to sweep across the country, particularly in southern areas.

About 200,000 of those were in Beledweyne, also referred to as Belet Weyne, and surrounding areas alone.

The heavy rain has led to the Juba and Shabelle rivers overflowing, causing flooding in southern areas such as Hirshabelle and Jubaland.

Farmland, infrastructure, and roads have been destroyed in some of the worst-hit areas.

The local Somali Ulumaa and community leaders held a press conference in Somali yesterday at the Abubakar Mosque in Minneapolis. They said: " We are urging everyone to take part in raising funds for our brothers and sisters to help them during this time of need.  "We as IANA are also holding fundraisers in all of our mosques and centers during this week.

For more information and to see the press conference  Click Here .

It is a dire situation, the people are in great need and they deserve our support. Please connect to  Haro  and donate right now  Click Here  or paste this  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-hiiraan-flooding-2019  into your URL.

.
End of Daylight Savings
An Extra Hour Yay!!
On November 3rd we gain an extra hour due to end of daylight savings. Make sure to add an hour on your clocks!! This means prayer times will change as well. Juma' will begin an hour earlier and all the other prayers as well.

Please check in with your local Mosque or prayer app for accurate times!
Workshop in Istanbul
Sheikh Hassan Jama the IANA E.D traveled earlier this month went to the Istanbul Şehir University in Istanbul, Turkey to participate in a workshop on The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 's letter to the Christian communities of his time.

Some of the objectives included “To fully and accurately understand the purpose and historic settings of the covenants considering Qura’nic Guidance and the accepted Sunnah of the Prophet” and to “Examine the implementation of the Covenant on contemporary inter-religious and inter-civilizational encounters”

Sheikh Hassan said: "It was very informative daylong workshop, respected scholars and leaders were participated. I really enjoyed having involved such program."
Thank you to the organizers.
The Somali Embassy in Ankara
Sheikh Hassan also made a trip to visit the Somali Embassy in Ankara. H.E. Mr. Jama Caydiid, the ambassador of the embassy, Mr. Jama Caydiid, a well-respected diplomat was there on behalf of the Somali government and the Somali nation.

The Ambassador has previously served UN Agencies including UNDP Somalia. He was also Chairman of executive board Committee of Nugaal University – Lasanod.
Ambassador Jama has spent a large portion of his career on community service, humanitarian work, development of education and conflict resolution initiatives in Puntland and Somaliland regions. This is also significant for the humanitarian cooperation involving Somalia and Turkey.

The embassy was large and also hosted a branch of the Somali military. (Military attache) The embassy was very busy as expected , and employed both Somali and Turkish nationals.

Sheikh Hassan also meet with the ambassador and said: " The Ambassador is an educated person and well-read man, we exchanged thoughts and books about leadership and Somalia. I am grateful to the president of Somalia, Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo for the newly appointed ambassador Jama and others."

We would also like to congratulate the current administration on their efforts and hard work.
Deputy Health Minister
H.E Hon. Mohamed S. Abdullahi

On Thursday October 31st IANA leaders met the Deputy Minister of Health of Somalia. H.E Hon. Mohamed S. Abdullahi in Minnesota.

IANA welcomed Mr.Abdullahi and informed him about the great work the Somali-American community is involved in every day from dawah to education to businesses. We also discussed our challenges and exchanged ideas
.
Mr. Abdullahi gave an overview of Somalia and the Somali healthcare system and his goals as deputy Minister of Health . He stressed that Somalia is moving forward and rebuilding.

Mr.Abdullahi also extensively talked about the humanitarian crisis with the floods in southern Somalia. .
As IANA we were delighted to have the Deputy Minister of Health of Somalia with us and would like to encourage him on the work he has done on behalf of the Somali people. Thank you to all those who welcomed the deputy minister with us.
UMR IANA New England Training
IANA in partner with United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR)
lead a 2-day seminar in Portland, Maine at Maine Muslim Community (Masjid Bilal) covering three major
topics: Organizational readiness, Financial sustainability, and Fundraising.

Dr. Abed Ayoub, President and CEO delved into discussions and training exercises about professionalism in the workplace, proper communication and leadership skills, how to ensure sustainability of your program and diversify your fundraising efforts.
This course taught how to manage your time effectively, develop and achieve fundraising goals, identify new donors, and grow your overall organization.

The event was well attended by the IANA members in New England. Thank you UMR and IANA New egland area.
Consul General Ayşe Selcan Şanlı
The IANA board chair Sheikh Mohamed Mursal and our executive director Sheikh Hassan were invited to attend the the 96th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on the 29th of October in Chicago.

The next morning they meet with the Consul General Ayşe Selcan Şanlı in the consulate in Chicago. They also discussed opportunities for the Somali Diaspora and the Turkish business community to forge strong business relationships.

They thanked the Consular on behalf of the Somali-American community, We are thankful to the President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Turkish government for standing with the Somali people during hard time. We are also thankful for the international airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu which Turkey invested in and help build. We are looking forward to building a relationship between the Turkish government and Somali American.
Allah says:
واعتصموا بحبل الله جميعا ولا تفرقوا
"And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves..." [3:103] 
Islamic Association of North America (IANA) was founded in the year of 2001 to meet the religious and social needs of Muslim societies in North America. As a response to the changing realities of Muslim communities, IANA re-positions itself to effectively reach diverse Muslim communities across the country. We are an umbrella organization with over thirty-five centers and organization nationwide. Check us out at www.ianaonline.org