ICLI News Nov. 2005

President’s Eid Message

Some Personal Reflections on The Current Executive Committee

Eid Mubarak. As we celebrate the end of Ramadhan, which is a month of contemplation, enhanced spirituality and sharing of Allah’s gifts, I wanted to share with you some of the accomplishments of ICLI during the term of the current executive committee. Insha Allah a new team of ICLI executives will take charge on Jan 1st 2006 and we wish them well. From my perspective

ICLI has developed into a multifaceted institution which needs the support of all in order to maintain and expand on the initiatives already established and the ones in the pipeline. To start with what does ICLI stand for:

ICLI-- VISION STATEMENT:

To be a center of excellence for developing and sustaining a vibrant Islamic community and a nurturing environment for the society at large.

ICLI--MISSION STATEMENT:

To serve and engage Muslims by promoting the progressive values and teaching of Islam and to advocate inter-faith harmony in a multicultural environment in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah.

What are the set goals for ICLI?

Strengthen Islamic Educational Programs

Focus on Young Adults

Provide spiritual guidance and consultation

Involve Youth

Project Islam in a positive manner with outreach

Formalize Infrastructure and Governance process

Build a social support program

Develop a sound financial base for ICLI. How did the executive committee go about

accomplishing these goals?

1)Rehabilitation of Properties and Staff Recruitment: We are pleased that the Jaymie Drive properties were rehabilitated over the past year. The new basketball court has provided our youth a good outlet for sports and social activities plus additional parking during peak hours.

Thanks to our ‘professional’ volunteer landscape crew led by Br Habeeb Ahmed and Imam Hafiz Ahmed the garden looks beautiful and thanks to the generosity of Irwin Horwitz of Ethan Allen we have an attractive new office set up with a full time staff to handle the many inquiries and visits from

Br Habeeb and his gardening helpers

(Continued from page 2) visitors. For our visitors and congregants alike entering an attractive well maintained center and state of the art office leaves a lasting impression, as the noted scholar Murad Hoffman commented: “ Entering ICLI, I encountered happy people working in a bright and dynamic atmosphere - I was struck by it’s integration into a clean, green, well-to-do neighborhood - what a wonderful feeling it must be to know that one has planted a model island of Islam on an island in America”

sions conducted by ICLI speakers in various locations on Long Island.

We have also attempted to expand the scope of services provided at ICLI and the following is an illustrative example:

2) Improved Communications:

Thanks

to the diligence of Br. Sohail Nabi, we have had regular monthly newsletters prepared and delivered on time. Each newsletter contains relevant information regarding ICLI activities, along with some key informative articles. My thanks to Br. Nabi for his extraordinary effort, and to all who contributed to the newsletter.

3)Strategic Retreat Follow Up : A number of ICLI volunteer members are working on the eight initiatives outlined above, which has resulted in improvements and upgrading of the constitution and bylaws, school curriculum, implemented specific programs based on needs assessment- exmatrimonial get together, planned NRMP session for medical students on Nov 12th, the establishment of a state of the art pre-K nursery and a literature and book reading list which gets distributed to all the visitors to ICLI and at ses-

4) Nassau Partnership for Healthy Communities (NPHC): ICLI successfully applied for a grant which led to the designation of ICLI as one of the primary sites for NPHC, a federally funded grant which seeks out individuals in Nassau County who have no or poor access to health care and attempts to provide necessary information and contact so as to improve their access to health care. I am also privileged to serve on the steering committee of NPHC which has representatives from all the major institutions that provide health services in Nassau County.

A spin off from this initiative has been the plan to have staff from St Francis Hospital provide free cardiac screening on ICLI premises which has been in place since May 2005.

5)

Institutional Dawah - Elderhostel Program -

Building Bridges to Islam: ICLI was picked at the NYS site for this national initiative launched by the Elderhostel organization. In Aug 2004 we had close to four hundred attendees, for the entire day learning about Islam and interacting with ICLI community. All of the speakers - more women than men- worked diligently and gave succinct, lucid presentations which received great reviews. The volunteers were absolutely magnificent. Several families provided cultural/artistic artifacts which resulted in an excellent exhibit. A particularly popular aspect was writing the names of attendees in Arabic. Elderhostel organization requested us to repeat and expand on this program in the summer of 2005 which we did.

Besides the outreach we even managed to generate a profit from this initiative and numerous follow up invitations have resulted from the attendees of this program. One of them even wrote to Larry King at CNN requesting him to

Ederhostel Program

(Continued from page 2) bring ICLI team to his show!!.

6) Outreach on TV : Our Muslim Neighbors on Telecare Ch 29 and WLIW 21: With Allah’s blessings ICLI has participated in the production of a TV program by Telecare (Ch 29), the inaugural 1st episode titled: Visit to the Mosque: was aired on Wednesday, Oct 15 2003 This show titled “Our Muslim Neighbors” is hosted by the famous TV team of God Squad - Rabbi Marc Gellman and Father Tom Hartman. Over the past two years nineteen top notch half hour programs have been produced and aired. We are negotiating with the new management of Telecare and look forward to continuing with this much needed outreach program which reaches 800,000 homes on Long Island via the largest Catholic TV channel in the country. WLIW Channel 21 : This TV channel is the 4th largest public TV channel in the United States. Many of our members volunteer during their fund raising events and I am often invited to participate in it’s programs - 21 Forum , Face Off etc.

We were also selected as a site for the unique meeting via internet which allowed ICLI attendees to interact and participate with colleagues across the globe:

7) Transnational Video Town Meeting For Peace: On Sunday, June 26, 2005, ICLI hosted a live Internet conference with speakers from Jerusalem and Washington, live audiences in several countries worldwide, and 50 viewing sites across the USA with ICLI being one of three sites in New York State. At ICLI, we had a significant number of religious leaders from Jewish and Christian communities of Long Island in attendance. After hearing the live Internet presentations from Jerusalem and Washington, the assembled group at ICLI had a lively interactive conversation with each attendee sharing some “take-home” message from the discussion. Thanks to Br. Hamza’s ingenuity we, at ICLI, were able to “hear and talk” to attendees across the globe! The main focus was the unresolved IsraeliPalestinian conflict, and how we, in the USA, can help move along the peace process. Beside the agenda item of IsraelPalestine, we met many new friends.

8) Faith Based Initiatives:

a. MultiFaith Forum : This Long Island based forum of 11 faith based groups provides valuable information, by invitation, to various schools, hospitals, universities etc. ICLI was a founding member of MFF and several of our members are on the speaking bureau of MFF.

b. American Muslims and Jews in Dialogue (AMJID): This award winning initiative has been in place for over 10 years. In 2004 it was recognized with the Faith Fellowship Award given by Gathering of Light organization. I get regular requests from other parts of the United States where similar initiatives are beginning to take hold. On Long Island, another AMJID group was started between a synagogue in Roslyn and the Ismaili community of Long Island. AMJID organized a joint Sukkoth-Ramadhan celebration which received prominent Newsday coverage on Oct 23 2005.

c. Universalist Unitarian Fellowship: In 2004, thanks

to the initiative of James Rupert, current bureau chief for Newsday in Pakistan, ICLI and UUF jointly worked on the Iraq school kit project which was subsequently profiled as a centerfold in Newsday and on a program of Channel 21 forum.

Our long standing outreach programs came into sharp focus during Ramadhan with three illustrative examples:

i) Ramadhan 12 1426, Oct 16 2005 - In the majestic St Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Center, a tribute service to honor late Pope John Paul 11 was held. In front of an overflow crowd of thousands, Br Hamza Byas started the entire

Sis. Kiki, Bishop Murphy and Br Hamza Byas

program with a call to prayer - Adhan.

ii) Ramadhan 18 1426-Oct 22 2005 - A joint Ramadhan –Sukkoth celebration was held at Temple Beth El in Great Neck and Newsday gave it prominent coverage.

iii) Ramadhan 26 1426-Oct 30 2005 - Second annual interfaith Iftar at ICLI.

9) ICLI at ISNA - 41st Annual Convention Sept 2004: In 2004 1CLI was prominently featured at the annual ISNA conventions with presentations by:

Habeeb Ahmed: “ Allah’s Garden” and “Making Eid Stamp Stick”.

Hamza Byas: “Importance of Speaking in a Common Language - English”.

Rafia Hamid: “Research with adolescent Muslim girls at ICLI and the challenges they face”.

Homaira Mamoor: “Silent auction as a fund raising tool”.

Reema Siddiqui: “TV show Our Muslim Neighbors”, and how this show has helped improve the image of Muslims.

I presented the lessons we learnt at ICLI post-9/11 and in another presentation described our very active interfaith initiative’s.

ICLI in a panel discussion, was identified as a model of one of the three “vibrant” centers from across the USA.

ICLI at 42nd ISNA Convention in Chicago Sept 2005

The following ICLI initiatives were presented:

Institutional Dawah: ICLI reaching out to the community: Speakers - Asma Ejaz, Nazli Chaudhry, Shaida Khan. Moderator: Zubaida Lunat.

American Muslims Response to Tsunami Disaster: Trikantikaningsih Byas (Sis. Kiki) presented the ICLI tsunami relief effort.

Growing up in America: Challenges Faced by Muslim Adolescent Girls: Speakers: Inur Mamoor, Rafia Hamid, Kushalata Ahmed.

In addition I moderated three sessions and presented at two; while Hamza Eric Byas moderated a session on Freedom House report.

In the concluding executive session at ISNA the ICLI community was recognized as a “model” based on its programs and initiatives.

10) Some Reflections on Tsunami, Katrina/Rita and Earthquake: We have all witnessed the recent tragic events resulting from the tsunami, Katrina/Rita, Earthquake. We pray for those who have perished in these disasters, and for the many people who are suffering around the world.

The visual images from these disasters reminded me of:

Seas swell, graves scattered, with every soul keenly aware of what (deeds) it released and restrained.

Qur’an 82:1-5

While coming to grips with the these disaster’s which have challenged all of us, I was reassured to learn that the victims of natural disasters – fires, drowning, quakes etc. –“receive the rank of martyr in the hereafter, with assurance of heavenly rank” –Muwatta 16:36.

I have been deeply touched by the outpouring of support from across the globe. It was good to see our brave soldiers and volunteers distributing water and food in remote, providing much needed health care in inaccessible areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and other hard-hit areas after tsunami and more recently in Pakistan/Kashmir. For those who witnessed the tsunami tragedy, followed by Katrina/Rita and the recent Quake we are reminded:

“We shall certainly test you by some (combination) of fear, hunger, loss of worldly goods, of lives and of (labors) fruits, but assure those who are patient in adversity, who when calamity befalls them assert “certainly we belong

to God and surely we are returning to Him.”

Upon these shall flow their Lord’s prayers and mercy, for they are guided”. Qur’an 2:154-158

The tests for the survivors include: How will they respond? Will we act in accordance with the best of what it means to be human – doing good, being compassionate and supportive of those who need our help? Or will we be angry with God?

The ICLI community has been very generous, the model developed by the tsunami relief group at ICLI is focused on long term rehabilitation and support of youth and those who lost livelihood. This should serve the community well and be a guidepost for future relief activities—Insha Allah.

The current executive group started with seven members in the summer of 2003 , Dr Irfan Amin and Br Hansen Lee were unable to continue due to personal reasons, the remaining members-Sr Cathy Khalifa, Br’s Habeeb Ahmed, Sajjid Shah and Hamza Byas have put in many many hours

of work and without their support, energy and enthusiasm we would not have been able to accomplish the above projects. I am personally grateful to my colleagues-Cathy, Habeeb, Sajjid, Hamza and members of the community for entrusting me with the job of steering ICLI over the past two and a half years. It’s been a labor of love and I feel encouraged that ICLI is on a steady productive and progressive path - Insha Allah.

Sincerely Yours, Dr. Faroque Khan

E-mail: Faroquekhan@yahoo.com

A joint Ramadhan –Sukkoth celebration was held at Temple Beth El in Great Neck

South Asia Earthquake Appeal

Asalaamu Alaikum. Since the creation of Pakistan and as far as I remember, there has not been a worst natural disaster as this earthquake of October 8th, 2005. It recorded 7.6 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was near the city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir. The villages were also devastated in the Indian part of Kashmir but less in numbers.

A cataclysmic unleashing of destructive power has left more than 60,000 dead and still counting. More than 75,00 injured and millions homeless. We saw heartbreaking images of survivors vainly digging with their bare hands trying to reach those still clinging to life.

In some areas a whole generation has been wiped out with thousands of school children perishing under the collapsed school buildings.

The earthquake is a natural disaster, you cannot take any measures to stop it but at least, having proper precautionary measures, better housing and building construction planning and controls and rescue services could lessen the loss of life.

tures and constant rain fall and now the impending snow fall.

We, the congregants of the ICLI have made petitions to the US government to send more helicopters and also increase the level of assistance to Pakistan.

According to the UN, the Earthquake disaster is bigger than the tsunami that hit Southeast Asian countries last year. However, the overall American public response to this earthquake is much slower and more meager than response to the tsunami and Katrina.

American relief agencies are admitting that after donating $1.3 billion to help the victims of tsunami and then contributing 1.7 billion to support relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina, many donors appear to be running out of steam. The American Red Cross also said that the pace of giving for earthquake relief is far slower. Upon hearing of the earthquake disaster, a Christian woman exclaimed, “Well, good! That means fewer Muslims to commit acts of terrorism.” However, the woman realized her fault later, prayed for forgiveness and committed herself to make donation for the quake victims.

We hope and pray a greater number among the American public will find kindness, compassion, and generosity for helping the victims.

We know that the government of Pakistan will not be able to cope the disaster of this magnitude, so the public sector has to continue helping the victims and InshAllah, ICLI will do its share of helping the victims and will come up with a long term effort to help their brothers and sister in this hour of extreme difficulty and hardship.

Please in this month of Ramadhan, be extra generous and donate your Zakat, Sadaqas and Zakat ul Fitr to help this suffering humanity.

Khair. Dr. Safdar H. Chadda

We, the Muslim Americans had responded generously in case of Tsunami disaster and then the outpouring of support for the Hurricane Katrina victims was tremendous. Now the same compassion, generosity, and mobilization are being directed to the Earthquake areas of South Asia.

Islamic Center of Long Island, Westbury has so far shipped 225 boxes of warm clothing, which includes blankets, coats, jackets, sweaters and other warm clothing etc. We have also arranged to supply 200 tents which can accommodate 8-10 persons. The effort has to continue because the after shocks are still coming, which are at a Richter scale of 4 to 5.5.

The difficulty is that the roads are difficult to keep clear because of these after shocks and so many areas are still inaccessible except by helicopters. The situation is further aggravated by freezing tempera-

Jazak Allah

Dr. Chadda and helpers with packed boxes

Volunteers busy packing boxes to send to earthquake victims

ICLI Committee Nominees

Asalaamu alaikum. The board of Trustees of Islamic Center of Longs Island is pleased to announce the nominees for the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees for the next term. These nominees were selected by a committee appointed by the board, earlier this year. They were confirmed by the Board of Trustees and are being presented to the general membership for a final approval.

We request our members to review the nominees in the following two categories:

Category A - Executive Committee (except the President)

Category B - Board members to be nominated by the general body (3 members)

The general membership may present an alternate slate for the executive committee with the exception of the President.

The general membership may also present up to three board members.

An alternate must be presented in writing with the signature of at least 50 voting members. The suggested members must themselves be eligible voting members.

Election will be conducted if any alternate candidate(s) are presented by the general membership.

The three-year term is to commence January 1, 2006

A. EXCECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Br. Habeebuddin Ahmed President

Br Sajid Shah President Elect

Br Hamza Eric Byas Secretary

Sr Peggy Iamunno Joint Secretary

Sr Isma Chaudhary First - Vice President

Br Nasir Gondal Second Vice President

Br. Rizwan Qureshi Treasurer

Term members BOARD OF TRUSTEES

B. NOMINATED BY THE BOARD 1. Br Mohamed Mahmood 2. Br Ibrahim Mamoor 3. Sr Farida Chaudary C. NOMINATED BYGENERAL BODY. 1. Sr Zubaida Lunat 2. Br Faheem Butt 3. Sr Simi Ahmed D. NOMINATED DUE TO CONTRIBUTIONS.

1. Br Isham Wali Khwaja 2. Br Ishan Maqsood Khwaja

3. Sr Arfa Khan

E.PERMANENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

1. Br Altaf Khan

2. Br Faroque Khan ( Out Going President)

3. Br Fakhiuddin Ahmed. 4. Br Irfan Amin 5. Sr Kausar Zaman

6. Br Jamil Khan 7. Sr Mumtaz Mir

8.Br Nasir Farooqui 9. Br Naim Dam 10Br Nazir Mir 11.Br.Qamar Zaman

12.Br Rasheed Uddin Jafar 13.Sr ShamaRasool

14.Br Safdar Chadda 15.Br Sirfraz Khan

F. HONARARY BOARD MEMBERS.

Br. Abdul Gaffar Mundia

Br. Naveed Anwar Br Tariq Javaid Br Kaisar Anwar Br Jamil Akhter

Best wishes, Election Committee

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Islamic Heritage

EID ul-FITR

Eid ul-Fitr follows the blessed month of Ramadhan (in which the Qur’an was revealed and is the month of fasting) and falls on the 1st day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Hijra calendar. As with all months in the Hijra calendar, it begins with the sighting of the new moon.

Eid is an Arabic word derived from `aada that means a recurring event. In Islam it denotes the festivals of Islam.

Anas (RA) reported that upon arriving in Madina, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) found its people celebrating two days whose significance was held over from the non-believers.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: "When I came upon you, you had two days that you continued to celebrate from the Jaahiliyyah; indeed Allah has substituted them for you with what is better: the day of Sacrifice and the day of Fitr (breaking the fast)”. (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)

Fitr means to break and Eid ul-Fitr marks the breaking of the fasting period. Muslims see this happy day as a sign of gratefulness on the accomplishment of Ramadhan and as an immediate reward by Allah (SWT) for those who spent the month of Ramadhan in fasting and performing other forms of worship.

The Prophet (PBUH) told Abu Bakr (RA): "For every people there is a feast and this is our feast." (al-Bukhari)

The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning of the day of Eid ul-Fitr before proceeding to the Eid prayer:

 Muslims should put on their best available clothes. Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "The Prophet, (PBUH), used to wear his best clothes for the Eid prayers and he had clothes that he reserved for the two Eids and Jummah." (Muslim)



Muslims should eat before going to Eid prayer. This is Sunnah and will also help to circumvent the assumption that one must continue to fast until the Eid prayer is over.

Anas (RA) narrated: "Allah's Messenger would not leave (his house) on the day of Fitr until he ate some dates." (alBukhari)

Buraydah Bin al-Haseeb (RU) narrated: "The Prophet would not leave (his house) on the day of Fitr until he ate. On the day of Nahr (slaughtering) he would not eat until he returned - so that he would eat from his sacrifice." (at-Tirmidhee) 

Fasting is forbidden on this day, as it marks the end of the month long fast of Ramadan. Abu ‘Abaid (the slave of Ibn Azhar) said: "I witnessed the Eid with 'Umar bin Al-Khattab who said, "Allah's Apostle

(PBUH) has forbidden people to fast on the day on which you break fasting (the fasts of Ramadan - Eid ulFitr) and the day on which you eat the meat of your sacrifices (Eid ul-Adha)." (al-Bukhari)

No sunnah prayer may precede or follow the Eid the musallaa (open area), in which case one must pray two Rak`aat before sitting down. Ibn `Abbaas narrated: "The Prophet (PBUH) went out (of his house) on the day of Fitr, prayed two Rak`aat, and did not pray before or after it." (al-Bukhari)

People sometimes spend extravagantly during Eid ul-Fitr. Allah (SWT) says: "Do not waste your wealth senselessly. Those who spend wastefully are the brothers of the Shaytan; and the Shaytan is ever ungrateful to his Lord." (Al-Isra Verses 2627)

It is Sunnah to take different routes to and from the Eid prayer. It was narrated by Jaber: "On the days of Eid, the Prophet (PBUH), would go to the prayer area by one route and come back by another route." (alBukhari)

It is Sunnah to pray in the open (known as the musallaa). Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree (RA) said: "The Prophet used to go on the day of Fitr and the day of Adha to the musallaa (open area); and the first thing he did when he reached there was perform the prayer." (alBukhari)

The Eid prayer is waajib (obligatory) for every male Muslim. The Prophet (PBUH) performed it consistently and commanded all the people to go out for it. He even specifically commanded all of the women to attend. Ash-Shawkaanee (RA) said: "Note that the Prophet consistently performed this prayer on every Eid, never neglecting it. He commanded the people to go out for it; he even commanded the free women, the virgins, and the menstruating women to go out, instructing the latter to refrain from praying, in order for all of them to witness this good and the Muslims' supplications. He further commanded the woman who did not own a jilbaab (outer overall garment for women) to borrow her friend's.” (al-Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah narrated that one time Eid fell on a Friday. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said : "Two Eids have come together on this day of yours; so whoever wishes, he is excused from the Jummah (Friday) prayer. But as for us, we shall gather for the Jummah." (Abu Dawood and Ibn Rajah)

The Eid prayer can be performed any time between sunrise and noon. Abu Bakr (RA) said: "The time of the two Eid prayers is after the sun has reached the height of a spear, and until noon. However, it is best

(Continued from page 8)

to pray al-Adha at the earliest time, to enable the people to slaughter their sacrifices; and is recommended to delay al-Fitr prayer, to enable the people to give out their Salaam (sachet ul-Fitr)." (Muslim)

The Eid prayer is not preceded with Adman or Iqaamah. Ibn `Abbaas and Jaabir said: "Adman was never given (for the Eid prayer) on the day of Fitr, nor the day of Adha." (al-Bukhari)

The Eid prayer consists of two Rak`aat. `Umar reported: "The travelers' prayer is two Rak`aat; the Adha prayer is two Rak`aat; the Fitr prayer is two Rak`aat; and the Jummah prayer is two Rak`aat; this is their full length as came upon the tongue of Muhammad." (Ahmad)

The sunnah for the khutbah (speech) is to follow the Eid prayer. Ibn `Abbaas said: "I attended the Eid with Allah's Messenger, Abu Bakr, `Umar, and `Uthman all of them would pray before the khutbah” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad)

Attending the khutbah is not obligatory, as is the case for attending the prayer. Abdullaah Bin asSaa'ib reported that he attended the Eid with the Prophet (PBUH) and when he finished the prayer, he said: "We shall have a khutbah; so let whoever wishes to sit for the khutbah do so, and whoever wishes to leave leave" (Abu Dawood, an-Nasaa`ee, Ibn Rajah).

Significance of Eid

Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. The Eid prayer is very important for all Muslims. It has the merits of the weekly convention (Jummah) and the characteristics of annual reunions between Muslims.

There are two such Eids.

The first is called Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast Breaking). It falls on the first day of Shawwaal, the tenth month of the Muslim year, following the month of Ramadhan in which the Qur’an was revealed and which is the month of fasting.

The second is called Eid-ul-Adh'haa (the Festival of sacrifice). It falls on the tenth day of Zil-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim year.

The Islamic Eids are unique in every way. To them there can be nothing similar in any other religion or any other socio-political system. Besides their highly spiritual and moral characteristics, they have matchless qualities:

Each Eid is a wholesome celebration of a remarkable achievement of the individual Muslim in the service of Allah

The firstEid comes after an entire month of "absolute" fasting during the days of the month.

The secondEid marks the completion of Hajj to Makkah, a course in which the Muslim handsomely demonstrates his renouncement of the mundane concerns and hearkens only to the Eternal voice of Allah.

Eid a Thanksgiving Day

Each Eid is a Thanksgiving Day where the Muslims assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere to offer their gratitude to Allah for helping them to fulfill their spiritual obligations prior to the Eid

The Muslims who have completed the fasting of Ramadan, express their thanks to Allah by means of distributing alms among the poor and needy on the first Eid.

Similarly, the Muslims who have completed the course of Hajj at Makkah, as well as those who are at home, offer their sacrifices by slaughtering oblations to be distributed among the poor and needy. The distribution of alms and oblations constitutes a major part of the Eids highlights.

This Islamic form of thanksgiving is a wholesome combination of spiritual devotion and humanitarian benevolence, a combination of which cannot be found except in Islam.

Eid a Day of remembrance

Each Eid is a Day of remembrance. Even in their most joyful times the Muslims make a point to worship Allah They pray to Him and glorify His name to demonstrate their remembrance of His favors. Also, they remember the deceased by prayer for their souls, the needy by extending a hand of help, the grieved by showing them sympathy and

(Continued from page 9)

consolation, the sick by cheerful visits and utterances of good wishes, the absentees by cordial greetings and sincere consideration.

Eid a Day of victory

The individual who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receives the Eid with a victorious spirit. The individual who faithfully observes the duties, which are associated with the Eid, is a triumphant one. He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires, exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the taste of disciplinary life. Once a person acquires these qualities he has achieved his greatest victory.

Eid a Harvest Day

All the good workers in the service of Allah, all the faithful believers reap the fruits of their good deeds on the Day, as Allah grants His mercy and blessings abundantly. The Islamic society, on the other hand, collect the due subscriptions to religious brotherhood and social responsibility, in which subscriptions are paid in the form of mutual love, sympathy and concern. Every member of the Islamic society will be reaping some fruits or collecting some revenue in one way or another.

Eid a Day of forgiveness

When Muslims assemble in the congregation of the Day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength in faith. And Allah has assured those who approach Him with sincerity of His mercy and forgiveness. In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself before Allah to hold any enmity or ill feelings toward his brethren.

Eid a Day of Peace

When a Muslim establishes peace within his heart by obeying the Law of Allah and leading a disciplinary life, he has certainly concluded a most inviolable treaty of peace with Allah. Once a person is at peace with Allah, he is at peace with himself and, consequently, with the rest of the universe. That is the proper meaning of an “IslamicEid”: a Day of Peace and Thanksgiving, a Day of forgiveness and moral victory, A Day of Good Harvest and remarkable achievements, and a Day of Festive Remembrance. An IslamicEid is all this and is much more, because it is a Day of ISLAM, a Day of Allah. Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." Qur’an 3:84

Zakaat ul Fitr

During Ramadhan we become familiar with the experience of the needy and poor who stay hungry not out of choice but because of lack of food. By fasting we appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah and become charitable towards those in need. As if to re-enforce the idea in our minds, Allah has made a wajib charity of Zakaat up Fitr at the end of Ramadhan.

Eid up Fitr

Eid is an Arabic word derived from root of a-w-d. Literally it means a recurring event. In Islam it denotes the festivals of ISLAM. The word Eid occurs in the Qur'an once meaning a joyous recurring occasion.

Jesus the son of Mary said: O Allah, our Lord! send down to us food from heaven which should be to us an ever-recurring happiness, to the first of us and to the last of us, and a sign from Thee, and grant us means of subsistence, and Thou art the best of the Providers." Qur'an- Maida 5:114

Human history has known festivals from the earliest days of man on earth. Man has celebrated festivals ever since he knew communal life. Ancient Egyptians had one called the day of adornment. It was during one such festival that Prophet Moses (A.S.) defeated the magicians.

Eid up Fitr is the festival that marks the end of the month

of Ramadhan. Fitr means to break and it therefore marks the breaking of the fasting period and of all evil habits. Happiness is observed at attaining spiritual upliftment after a month of fasting.

Life and Papacy of Pope John Paul II

On the evening of Sunday, October 16th Dr. Arfa and I attended the concert celebrating the life and papacy of Pope John Paul 11.

As expected there was an overflow crowd, tight parking and as we were entering the majestic cathedral we heard in very loud and clear voice - "Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar". Entering the main hall, on the pulpit, we saw Br Hamza Byas reciting the Adhan, which was the lead off event for the entire program.

Br Hamza was spectacular, I got "goose bumps" hearing the Adhan in the cathedral with thousands of non -Muslims paying close attention. After Br. Hamza completed the Adhan, Sr Kiki presented a brief and succint translation of the Adhan. What a moment!!!.

I kept wondering if there was any other country in the world which would allow and encourage such tolerance, acceptance and mutual understanding.

Bishop Murphy in his concluding remarks specifically thanked Br Hamza for calling the Adhan. The one hour concert by LI Philharmonic was a treat. During the social hour we met with the leaders of Christian-Jewish groups, Bishop Murphy was a very gracious host.

ICLI in the News

I had submitted a tribute on behalf of ICLI which had been reproduced in a very attractive booklet. If any of you like to have a copy let me know. This institutional outreach is, in my view, another blessing of Ramadhan!!!.

Br Habeeb/Simi/Arfa/Mohammed and Mrs Mesbah were also in attendance and we recommend henceforth Br Hamza be designated as our "Bilal".

Faroque Khan

Br. Habeeb is greeted by Bishop Murphy

"Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and remembers (glorifies) the name of his Lord and prays"

Educational Section

Sunday School Iftar

Dear Parents, Assalaamu Alaikum. We hope you and your children, our students, enjoyed the Ramadhan celebrations with fun activities and Iftar on Sunday October 16th. Alhamdu-Lillah it was a success with around 350 members of the community attending along with a few guests from Island Tree School District.

This Iftar was a great team effort lead by the PTO’s sis. Rosanna, Sunday School Education Committee and volunteer parents.

We had food donated by Ali Baba #2, a newly open Afghan restaurant on North Broadway Hicksville, Kennedy Fried Chicken in Hempstead provided chicken/fries at a discount and Kashmir Food Bazaar donated all the drinks and juices. On top of that we had you parents bring in “pot luck” dishes, which were absolutely delicious. Thank you again for making this a very successful Iftar.

We look forward to a year of Islamic activities to complement our curriculum as we strive toward providing the students with a religious education that will give them the knowledge and confidence needed to prosper as a 21 st century Muslim-American.

Please note that the PTO have a meeting every Sunday at 10:00AM in the basement of Sunday School office.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact sis. Rosanna via Sunday School Office or myself, Sohail Nabi (co-chair of Sunday School).

If you have any questions for the Sunday School please do not hesitate to contact the Education Committee.

We hope that you and your families have a great Eid and Inshallah see you all again on November 13th at 09:30AM.

Sincerely,

Sohail Nabi and Rizwan Qureshi (Co-Chairs)

Nasir Farooqi, Catherine Khalifa, Ellen Brollosy, Humma Qureshi, Nadia Pervez, (Comm. Members)

Tel: 516-333 0299

Email: iclisundayschool@yahoo.com

EID MUBARAK

Earthquake Update

Asalamu Alaikum: Peace be Upon You.

At our brainstorming session on Sunday, October 9th ICLI had set a target of $50,000 for the Earthquake relief effort. As of October 25, I am pleased to inform you that we have deposited approx $84,000 in the relief fund. This generosity and the vote of confidence is reassuring to ICLI management. THANK YOU.

It was indeed heart warming to see sizable numbers of donations from members of other faiths, accompanied by notes of support and sympathy, our years of outreach and interfaith work is paying dividends.

I want to express my personal thanks to all the donors and volunteers who have entrusted ICLI with the responsibility and the challenge to ensure that the monies are well spent. ICLI has already arranged and sent over 200 boxes of warm clothes/blankets etc to Pakistan. We will make every effort to keep all our donors regularly informed as to how the monies are spent and who the recipients are. We have gained some useful experience from the tsunami ICLI relief effort.

Thought you might be interested in receiving this follow up. There were 136 donors (excluding cash donors) with a range from $100 to $15,000 and I once again thank all who contributed towards this effort.

Faroque Khan

Dr. Faroque Khan with Distinguished Speakers at ISNA

ICLI Members with Nassau County Police Chief and Team

835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590 Tel: 516-333-3495 - Fax: 516-333-7321 - Email: icli.icli@verizon.net Website: http://www.1icli.com

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