In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful 

Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim - In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful 

 

Week of December 31, 2018
24 Rabi Al-Akhar 1440 AH
Newsletter Issue #52
"He is the One Who enables you to travel through land and sea. And it so happens that you are on ships, sailing with a favourable wind, to the passengers' delight. Suddenly, the ships are overcome by a gale wind and those on board are overwhelmed by waves from every side, and they assume they are doomed. They cry out to God alone in sincere devotion, "If You save us from this, we will certainly be grateful."" 
MUSLIMS HONOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Earlier this month the  Shura Council urged all Islamic centers and organizations  to support their local police, sheriff's and fire departments with dinners during the holidays, to express gratitude for those officers who missed their family gatherings to be at work to serve the community. The Shura Council sent out guidelines and tips on organizing this program to all its member organizations. Over a dozen Islamic Centers across Southern California provided meals to law enforcement officers and their families at their local stations. These events were well appreciated by the officers and the leadership of local Police, Sheriff's and Fire Departments.

LAPD  Chief of Police Michel Moore  expressed his thanks to the Muslim community and the Islamic Center of Southern California , at an event at the LAPD Olympic Community Police Station in Los Angeles. The Shura Council was represented by Board Secretary Waqas Syed who expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Muslim community for the sacrifice by all law enforcement and their families during the holidays to keep our communities safe. Omar Ricci, Chairman of Islamic Center of Southern California which sponsored the meals, as well as Salam Marayati, President of MPAC  expressed their appreciation and hoped for continued partnership with the LAPD.

The Islamic Center of Inland Empire delivered food to local law enforcement and city staff on Monday as well as to the local fire department. 

The Shura director along with the Muslim Cham community delivered dinner to the Pomona PD. T he Chino Valley Islamic Center delivered food to the Chino PD. T hese were only a few examples among many more instances of charitable giving.

In Orange County, the Orange County Islamic Foundation in Mission Viejo, fed the local OC Sheriffs who are contracted by the city as its law enforcement.  The Sherrif's thanked them on their Facebook page.

We wish to thank the local Mosques for showing their appreciation to their local first responders during the winter holidays.
ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT
Shura Council is a community-funded nonprofit, this means that 100% of its operations and programs are funded by people like you.  As we approach the end of 2018, won't you consider donating to Shura Council?
A donation to Shura Council can be via check (mail to: 960 N. Tustin St., #348, Orange, CA 92687), a monthly donation , a one-time donation  by credit card, or you can donate appreciated stocks.

Some of our accomplishments in 2018 were:
  • Purchased the future Headquarters of the Muslim Community of So Cal.
  • Conducted Quarterly Workshops for Mosque leadership.
  • Hosted Regional Forums in San Diego and the Inland Empire.
  • Coordinated with MAS and IIOC Extension, Coffee and Conversations, for discussions about issues not commonly discussed in Mosques.
  • Revitalized the Board of Imams to assist local Imams in serving their communities.
  • Expanded the Muslim Charities Association, a group of over 20 non-profit service organizations
We look to add more programs to assist your local Mosque and the community at large. Your donation  however large or small can help us grow and expand our programs.  
MUSLIM OF THE WEEK
The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California is pleased to name Nahla Kayali as our Muslim of the Week!

A recipient of the "Champion of Change" award from the White House in 2014, Nahla Kayali is described as an advocate and a leader who inspires, elevates, and empowers underserved individuals and families 
to ensure they have access to health and human services.

Arriving to the United States as a Palestinian refugee from Syria at the age of 16, and married, and only havin g finished the 9th grade, Nahla founded Access California Services (AccessCal) in 1998, a culturally and linguistically competent health and human services non-profit organization in Anaheim dedicated to empowering all under-served populations, with a focus on Arab-American & Muslim-American communities.

In addition to her leadership role at AccessCal, Nahla serves as the Chairperson of the Orange County Refugee Forum, holds the State Refugee Forum Seat for the State Advisory Council on Refugee Services, holds a seat with the State Office of Health Equity, and serves on national and international boards including 12 advisory boards and committees including the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) and Arab American Institute (AAI).

For being a conduit for remarkable change and generosity, Nahla Kayali is our newest Muslim of the Week.

Do you want to nominate a story as our Muslim of the Week? Send us an email to [email protected] with their name and contact information and they could be featured on social media.  
NEWS
Islamic School Teachers, register for ISNA's West Coast Education Forum  in Costa Mesa on January 18 and 19, 2019. Exhibitors, reserve your booth here  today.

With a new year, come new laws. This handy graphic  lists the laws. We suggest that you familiarize yourself.

The U.S. Government partially shut down last week  due to an impasse on the federal budget.

Nurses rate amongst the most ethical of professions  for the 17 th year in a row. However, politicians ranked among the lowest.

Hate crimes increased in the U.S. in 2018 according to an F.B.I. report. With anti-Semitism and white nationalism leading the numbers.

The Los Angeles Times offers 2018: a year in review .
EVENTS
The Shura Council community calendar is an important resource for Muslims in Southern California. We invite you to add your event here . Please see some upcoming community events below:

SAVE THE DATE:
SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2019 - SHURA COUNCIL ANNUAL BANQUET "The Future is Ours to Build"

Mon Dec 31
> ICSGV Muslim Family Night,  in Rowland Heights

Fri Jan 11
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SHURA BOARD MEMBERS
  
Dr. Ahmed Soboh, Chairman
Dr. Ahmed Azam, Vice Chair
Waqas Syed, Secretary

Fauzia Rizvi, Treasurer
Owaiz Dadabhoy
Imam Wali Fardan
Arbazz Nizami
Dr. Azeem Syed

Staff

Malek Bendelhoum
Associate Director

Elaine Younes
Office Manager

Imam AbdulHafiz
Prison Outreach Director

Saima Rafiq
Muslim Speakers Network
Director

Kalim Farooki
Development Director

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"Only Together We Can Make a Difference"
 
ISLAMIC SHURA COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

TEL: ( 855) 748-7272   | FAX: (714) 462-3887
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The Islamic Shura Council is an umbrella organization of Mosques and Muslim organizations serving the Muslims of Southern California. Since 1995,  the Council continues to foster the spirit and culture of "working together" at all levels in one of the most diverse and largest Muslim populations in the country.