The Islamic Center of St. Joseph is happy to announce the start of classes in Qur’an and Arabic for youths in St. Joseph.
The classes in Qur’an and Arabic will be taught by the same Shaikh who has recently been driving from Kansas City to give us the Friday Khutbahs in St. Joseph. The Shaikh has agreed to stay later on Friday’s to accommodate the educational needs of our Muslim youth in St. Joseph. The classes are tentatively scheduled for Friday evenings to accommodate the Shaikh’s schedule. However, the timing will be adjusted based on the classes’ need and popularity to better fit the schedules of interested students and their parents.
To register for the classes or for more information, please email us at info@stjoemuslims.com or call Youth Class Coordinator Br. Asif Tai at 832-755-1506.
The Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP) in its forecast has said that Friday, October 28th will be the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah month, and Sunday, November 6th will be the first day of Eid al-Adha.
Eid ul Adha prayers at the Islamic Center of St. Joseph will be on Sunday at 9 a.m. with the Takbarat beginning at 8:30 a.m. A light breakfast will follow the Eid prayer. Here is the Takbeerat-ul-Eid.
What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?
During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur’an describes Abraham as follows:
“Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous.” (Qur’an 16:120-121)
One of Abraham’s main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah’s will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his “sacrifice” had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.
Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham’s trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.
Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.
The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah’s commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.
It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: “It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him.” (Qur’an 22:37)
The symbolism is in the attitude – a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah’s commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.
Courtesy of Huda, an About.com Guide
By Ramadhan WashingtonSept. 11, 2011
That morning, as I watched the news in horror, I prayed. I hoped a Muslim was not involved. I remembered back to 1995 when in the hours following the Oklahoma City bombing, phone lines at mosques across the country were jammed with vile messages from people who had simply assumed a Muslim had carried out the attack.
Muslim Americans across the nation feared backlash. This was because in the decades prior to Sept. 11, Muslims had simply lived under the cultural radar. They went about their lives, worked, shopped, raised families, bought homes, worshipped and made a life. Then, one national tragedy later, this diverse community was in the spotlight.
In the days and weeks following Sept. 11, Muslim-Americans like myself showed our loyalty to our country and to our faith. Nationwide, we donated blood, held vigils and offered up prayers for the victims.
But the door that opened our religion to greater societal dissection has swung both ways.
On the one hand, more non-Muslims have visited mosques like our facility in St. Joseph. More Americans are now familiar with their Muslim neighbor, and they have come to appreciate Islamic traditions such as the wearing of the Hijab head covering or fasting during the month of Ramadan.
However, the intense spotlight also has brought negativity. In the past decade, we have seen Quran burnings, anti-Sharia law bills introduced in state legislatures, opposition to mosque construction, and our religion put on trial-by-media almost daily by talk-radio stations and cable news channels.
It is no wonder then, 10 years after the attacks, the Pew Research Center reports Muslims today report greater instances of name-calling, threats, and harassment.
While we have declared again and again our zero tolerance for terrorists, it is important to remember American Muslims remain a needed partner in countering extremism. We refuse to allow people to conflate murderous terrorists with the entire religion. Our mosques have provided a community to guide Muslims who have fallen to the rhetoric of radicalism. We have strengthened our relationships with interfaith partners and we have forged new bonds with law enforcement. Our mosques are also becoming premier sites of American assimilation and community involvement.
And you will only see this grow. In the next decade, you will see a shift toward more professing Muslims getting involved with their communities. Our nation has not yet fully recovered from the pain inflicted by a handful of Islamic extremists, madmen who perverted the faith’s spiritual teachings to fit their own political ends. Yet on the 10th anniversary, the Muslim community in St. Joseph, which number less than 100 people, joins people of all faiths in condemning the horrific attack of Sept. 11. 2001.
We strongly condemn terrorism in any form. To be clear, we also strongly support the principles embodied in the U.S. Constitution — namely democracy, pluralism and secularism.
Finally, we hope more area residents will take us up on our invitation to visit and tour our facility. Mosques remain misunderstood on the American landscape. There is a great opportunity for understanding here. We hope you will join us in helping to bridge this gap.
Ramadhan Washington is president of the Islamic Center of St. Joseph.
As we near the end of Ramadan, we take a moment to reflect and pray that we all have put forth our maximum possible effort to reap the good in this holy month.
At the Islamic Center of St. Joseph, we have been reading from the Qur’an every night for Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan. We will begin reading from the final 114th chapter at 9:30 p.m. this Friday, August 26. Please join us for the Khatam-ul-Qur’an.
Eid prayers will be held at the Islamic Center of St. Joseph on Tuesday, August 30. The Takbiraat begin at 8 a.m. The Eid prayer will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Also, we are in the last ten days of Ramadan. On odd numbered nights we should seek he beautiful night called Lailatul Qadr. This would mean the nights of the even numbered nights since our days start after maghrib so the 27th night would start after maghrib on the 26th day. The 27th night this year is on the night of Friday, Aug. 27.
Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months of worship (that’s 83 years and 4 months). On this night, Angel Jibrael and a group of angels descend on to the earth and pray for blessings on every servant who they see occupied in worship. Angel Jibrael tells the group of angels to go into people’s houses and shake the hands of those in ibaadat. A sign of them shaking your hand is that tears flow freely from your eyes and the heart turns soft.
Some of the signs of Lailatul Qadr are: at night it is serene, quiet, the night sky is shiny, it’s not too hot or too cold, there is a clear moon, and the most common sign is that at daybreak, the sun rises without any radiant beams of light.
Islamic Center Feeds the Needy
Reported by: Edward Burch
(St. Joseph, Mo.) A St. Joseph mosque gave back to the community on Wednesday as part of the Ramadan celebration.
The Islamic Center of St. Joseph fed those in need at the Open Door Food Kitchen this afternoon.
More than a dozen members of the center and various community groups volunteered today.
This is the second year the Islamic Center has volunteered their services.
The effort feeds nearly 200 people.
The Islamic Center will host another lunch service next Saturday.
Courtesy: stjoechannel.com
Islamic Center Feeds the Needy for Ramadan
Area Muslims are turning sacrifice into service.
Members from the Islamic Center of St. Joseph gave back to the community by feeding the needy with a chicken dinner Saturday at the Open Door Food Kitchen.
Their service is all part of Ramadan celebrations.
During the month of Ramadan — Muslims across the world take time for prayer, fasting and service.
Charles Mujihad Triplett with the Islamic Center of St. Joseph said, “Fasting helps your spiritually, mentally and morally. It’s important also because you see how a person goes without eating and drinking, you also are able to give back to the communities.”
The Islamic Center of St. Joseph held a feed the needy day last Wednesday as well.
Courtesy: stjoechannel.com
The Islamic Center of St. Joseph will sponsor meals and feed the needy at the Open Door Food Kitchen between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10 and Saturday, August 20.
Please call Br. Mujahid at 816.671.9044 to volunteer your time to serve food on either day at the Downtown St. Joseph soup kitchen.
This is the second year we have volunteered at the Open Door Food Kitchen during Ramadan. See photos from last year.
Ramadan is slated to begin on Monday, August 1, Insh’Allah.
