message november 2015 - Muslim Community Center

The Message
A Publication of The Muslim Community Center, Chicago, IL
Vol. 46a • No. 11 Muharram - Safar, 1437 November 2015
President’s Message
MCC and MEC Annual Fundraising Dinner
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Assalam-o-Alaikum
Place your ad(s) here.
Call 773-725-9047
3 Angels Home Health
Farhan Siddique
Administrator
types of services
Illinois All Kids Program Accepted
A wide range of authentic Pakistani cuisine.
“Here at Sabri Nihari, we strive to
Languages spoken:
serve top quality experience.”
English, Spanish, Arabic, Urdu and Hindi
Benjamin Eye Care Center
5201 S. Willow Springs Rd., Suite 280
La Grange, Il 60525
Phone: 708-354-2008
Fax: 708-354-2092
www.BENJAMINEYECARE.com
Muslim Community Center
4380 North Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60641
www.mccchicago.org
Send address corrections to:
Muslim Community Center
4380 North Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60641
Phone: (773) 725-9047
Fax: (773) 725-1616
Membership Questions:
tahirsyedali@yahoo.com
2502 W Devon,
Chicago IL, 60659
E-mail: info@sabrinihari.com
Phone: (773) 465-3272
Phone: (773) 465-0899
Phone: (773) 743-6200
Fax: 773-465-0095
Glenbrook
Montessori
an academic preschool
Skilled
Nursing
Care Law;isMarriage/Family
-Immigration
and kindergarten
Physical
Therapy (fully accredited by American
Based/Adjustment
of Status
Occupational
Therapy
Montessori
Society for children
ages 2½ to
Respiratory
Therapy
6 Fiance(e)/Spouse
years). We
are committed
to offer a quality
Petition
IV
Administration/Infusion
education
at an affordable price.
Diabetic/Insulin
Management
(K-1 and K-3
Visas). Citizenship.
Medical/Post Surgical
Care
Registration
Open
Professional
Workers/H-1B & Perm
Nutritional
Support
Owned
and
operated by Muslim educators
Medical
Social Worker
-Divorce
Home Health Aides
-Bankruptcy
contact information
-Accidents/Personal Injury
6429 Dempster St.
Morton Grove, IL 60053
Phone: 847-503-9009
Off: 847-581-1400
Web: www.glenbrookmontessori.com
Fax: 847-581-1402
Email: glenbrookmontessori@gmail.com
Cell: 847-361-5803
3217 Springdale Avenue, Glenview,
IL 60025
www.3angelshomehealth.com,
Farhan@3ahh.com
I pray that InshaAllah the new Islamic year
brings peace, blessings health and happiness
in your lives. Alhamdulillah the MCC annual
dinner was a success. On October 17th more
than 400 community members gathered at the
Holiday Inn Skokie. The program started around
7 PM with appetizers and ended around 9:30
PM with dua. More than $90,000 were raised
-- close to the target amount. We thank Allah
(SWT) and those who donated generously.
Congratulations to the community and the
Dinner Committee for a successful event.
In its October meeting, the MCC board
unanimously approved for the first time an antiharassment policy. The committee had worked
tirelessly and engaged a law firm for consultation
and drafting the anti-harassment policy.
I would like to state that MCC takes any kind
of harassment and misconduct very seriously.
Therefore every kind of interaction has to be
based on mutual respect, dignity and open
communication.
Imam Mufti Nazim Mangera will be joining
MCC starting December 1st, 2015 InshaAllah
along with his family. We are in constant contact
with him. He is an energetic young Imam and
will be an asset for our youth. We will give him
our full support so that he adjusts himself in the
MCC community for the long term.
We had a first, “Open Mosque Day” at both,
MCC and MEC, on October 4th. Both
the Mosques were open to our non-Muslim
neighbors to learn about Islam and Muslims.
Our dedicated teams made this event successful.
Guests were briefed about Islam while taking
them on a Masjid tour and observed Asr prayer.
A US hate group had planned protests in
front of Mosques in almost 20 cities across the
country on Friday and Saturday, October 9th
and 10th. Although State of Illinois was not
on the list, Department of Homeland Security
cautioned area Mosques to be more vigilant.
In collaboration with CAIR Chicago, the
Department of Homeland Security arranged
(Continued on second page)
MCC Holds a
Successful Annual
Fundraising Dinner
As the nation turns its attention towards electing
a new leader, so too did the MCC/MEC
community recently turn its attention to this
subject. The timely topic of this year’s MCC/
MEC’s dinner on October 17 was “Empowering
Youth: Transitioning Leadership.” Featuring
dynamic individuals such as keynote speaker
Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed, Alumni Award
Recipients Dr. Dilara Syed and Sr. Mahrukh
Hussain, and Cook County State Attorney
Anita Alvarez, the evening was inspirational
and successful, Alhamdullilah. By the grace of
Allah (SWT) and through the generosity of the
attendees, the dinner achieved its fundraising
goal of $100,000.
Sr. Donelle Bergeson and Br. Ali Quadri
served as emcees, and MCC/MEC President
Dr. Sarwar Nasir kicked off the evening with
a detailed presentation of the community’s
accomplishments and aspirations for the
future. Dr. Nasir’s exhortation for the younger
generation to “engage with their community”
was the pivotal message of the evening. Mufti
Azeemuddin Ahmed expanded on this topic by
using powerful anecdotes from the Prophet’s
(SAW) time and models from the young Sahabas,
such as Hazrat Ali (RA). The Islamic paradigm
for maturity does not include the concept of
“adolescence,” explained Mufti Azeemuddin.
The stages of life in the Islamic tradition include
children and adults—there is no indeterminate
middle ground. Once Muslim children reach
adulthood (at puberty), they are expected to
take up appropriate responsibilities, including
leadership roles, he asserted.
Dr. Dilara Syed and Sr. Mahrukh Hussain,
both recipients of this year’s Alumni Awards
next addressed the audience on the catalysts for
their success. Each awardee had attended MCC
Sunday school while growing up. Dr. Syed is the
Chief Education Officer at the Golden Apple
Foundation. She attributes her success to three
elements—“fire, faith, and family”. Fire, the
motivating drive to achieve, is what we need
to inculcate in our youth, she clarified. She
points to her faith and family as the kindling
for this fire. Sr. Marukh Hussain, JD, is the
Vice President of the US General Counsel
for McDonald’s corporation. Her formula for
triumph was summarized in one word—integrity.
She simply and eloquently explained how this
very Islamic principle is her guiding light.
Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez also
graced the dinner with her presence, lending
strong words of support and encouragement
to the Muslim community. In times of rising
xenophobia and marginalization of the Muslim
American community, she urged youth to add
their voices to the civic platform.
Alhamdulillah, we were blessed with a prosperous
(Continued on third page)
Ayah of the Month
“Once you have finished your Salah, then,
remember Allah while standing, sitting and reclining.
As soon as you are secure, perform Salah as due.
Surely, Salah is an obligation on the believers that is
tied up with time.” Surah An-Nisa [4:103]
Hadith of the Month
Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (S) said,
“Allah will ask on the Day of Judgement: ‘Where
are those who loved each other for the sake of My
glory? Today - on a day when there is no shade but
mine - I shall shade them with My shade.”
Narrated by Sahih Muslim
MCC elections for the year of 2016 are in full
swing. Please pay your membership dues if you
have not, and participate in elections. MCC
continuously strives for new programs and we
encourage you to participate in these programs.
See the TV monitors for different programs or
contact the office.
We have opened the MEC Masjid office also for
the 3 busiest days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For any official issues, contact the office. and
actively participate in MCC elections.
Mohammad Sarwar Nasir, MCC President
847-927-0919, Msnasir53@gmail.com
2015 MCC Elections
Candidates’ Nomination in Progress:
Following the deadline of Sunday, November
1st, for submitting Nominations by Petition,
MCC’s Nominations Committee is scheduled
to post the final list of nominees by November
8th, inshaAllah. Names of these nominees will be
placed on the ballot for the elections scheduled
for December 13, 2015. A voting member may
vote in person on December 13th at our MCC
Elston Avenue location or at MEC Morton
Grove location.
Voting by Absentee Ballot:
Votes may also be cast by an Absentee Ballot. An
Absentee Ballot may be obtained by mailing or
delivering a request so it reaches MCC’s office
no later than 2 PM on Sunday, November 8th;
request forms can be downloaded from the MCC
website or can be picked up from the MCC
office. Such a request should be addressed to the
Election Committee chairperson and submitted
in a sealed envelope. Request can also be made
via e-mail and should include all information
required in the request form including the
member’s mailing address for verification.
MEC Awarded Grant for
Accessibility Efforts
On October 11, 2015, the ‘Inclusion In Worship’
Ministry of Pathways.org, a Chicago not-forprofit organization, recognized several houses of
faith across the United States with cash grants,
known as Open Hearts Awards, for their efforts
to include worshipers of all abilities as active
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MCC Adopts a Landmark
Anti-Harassment Policy
“Waking in Oak Creek” Film Screening and Panel
(Continued from “President’s Message”)
a conference call. MCC representatives from
both centers attended that call and apprised the
administration about necessary arrangements.
Extra security was arranged for both centers and
alhamdulillah both days passed peacefully. Many
church and faith representatives sent solidarity
letters and offered to help Muslim Centers.
Open Mosque Day
participants. The Muslim Education Center
(MEC), Morton Grove, Illinois was one of the
winners of $1000 for purchase and installation of
an automatic door opener at the main entrance
to the mosque. The Inclusion in Worship
remarked, “The Muslim Education Center in
Morton Grove, Illinois has been renovated to
create an accessible space for worship, interfaith
gatherings and educational and social events.
From the accessible parking, the wide hallways,
accessible washrooms and the elevator and
ramps it is evident that this community wants
to accommodate all its members so everyone can
participate. An automatic door opener would
complete the picture.”
Mazhar Khan: Honorary
Commissioner of MG Fire
& Police Department
Muslim Community is proud to have one of
its prominent member Br. Mazhar Khan, as a
new Honorary Commissioner of Fire & Police
Department of the village of Morton Grove.
Mazhar Khan is a very active member of Muslim
community. He has served as a MCC board
member and MEC Building Committee Chair in
the past, and is currently the Department Head
of MCC Operations. He was also instrumental in
the repairs of new Skokie building to bring it to
the city code satisfaction, and starting the school
on time last year. Mazhar Khan is currently
working as Director, Facilities Management &
Operation at NNH Center. He has been actively
working as a liaison between village officials and
MCC community. It is an honor for MCC to
have Mazhar Khan at that position.
Cellular Reception Now
in MEC Basement
As many of you know, when visiting the
basement of MEC there was often no phone
reception. With the help of several dedicated
brothers, we now have amplified cellular service
in the MEC basement. Those who wish to rent
the basement can now have the ease of having
total phone reception, Alhumdulillah!
Shahjehan Baig, MCC Zakat Committee
MCC Interfaith Screens
“Waking in Oak Creek”
On Saturday, October 24, 2015, the MCC
Interfaith Committee held a film screening
of “Waking in Oak Creek,” a movie about
the shooting at a Wisconsin Sikh Temple that
resulted in the death of six worshippers. The
program commenced with Omer Mozaffer and
the film’s producer Patrice O’Neal introducing
the film. A panel discussion began after the film
with the Mayor of Oak Creek, a representative of
the Department of Justice and several members
of the Oak Creek community. The theme of
the panel discussion was about community
outreach and raising awareness in different
faiths that encompass American society today
in order to fix the problem of racism. Panelists
explained that in order to end hate crimes against
minorities, one must educate. It is imperative to
have these interfaith discussions, and to watch
in congregation the several documentaries out
there that screen these hate incidents, and to
talk about them out loud as we tend to shy
away from discussing sensitive topics like these.
The program ended with an understanding to
conduct future endeavors to raise community
awareness on race, religion, and faith to negate
the underlying causes of hate and intolerance.
Saarah Bhaiji, MEC Sunday School
Update on
MCC Sunday School
Alhumdulillah, the MCC Sunday school started
another school year on September 13th. This past
year, we were able to give the 2nd floor classrooms
some new furniture. We have already held our open
house where parents and teachers met one another
and discussed the expectations of what is going
to be taught this year. This year, we are starting a
peer mentoring program between our students and
teacher assistants. We hope that having an older
person to talk to will help make things a little easier
as our children navigate the difficulties of growing
up Muslim. We have a speech contest and Seeratun
Nabi celebration scheduled for December 6th,
Inshallah. Registration for the school is still open.
Kazim Mohammed, Principal of MCC Sunday School
First Open-Mosque Day
Held October 4
On October 4, 2015, the Chicagoland held
its first ever CIOGC-inspired Open-Mosque
Day. Both MCC and MEC held their events
with excitement and anticipation. A multitude
of people visited the Mosques many of whom
having little knowledge of the community, Islam,
Muslims, or the Mosques. Several volunteers
from the community gave tours to the attendees.
In the lobby, there was setup of several activities
including calligraphy, henna-painting, a variety
of Muslim artifacts
and snacks that the
guests were able to
enjoy. The guests
also observed the
Asr prayer which
led to the end of
Open Mosque
(Calligraphy by Dr. Javed Bhatty)
Day. The goal of
this event was to introduce the non-Muslims to
the Muslim community and welcome them to
centers with open arms. Each attendee left with a
goodie-bag that included a Mushaf and few other
items. Attendees came with no knowledge of the
Islamic faith but left with an understanding of
lives of the Muslims living in their communities.
Attendees were visibly excited during the open
day. As stated by the CIOGC Chairman, Dr.
Kaiseruddin, “My home base, MEC, was
buzzing with visitors from the neighborhood. An
estimated 200 people went through the masjid
and were treated to a snack bar, Henna table,
Arabic calligraphy where they got their names
written beautifully in Arabic script, an Islamic
arts and crafts table and small group tours of the
facilities.”
In its October 2015 Board meeting, MCC
unanimously adopted an Anti-Harassment
Policy that is now in effect for our community.
MCC felt essential to have a policy in place
in case of an unfortunate event ever occurs.
MCC also believed it to be indispensable
for the morale of our community and of the
organization. In present times when this is a
rampant social problem, our people have to
feel secure and know that in an event of such
an incident, we have had it covered. As we all
know that under the umbrella of MCC we have
multiple part-time schools, full-time schools,
Masajids and community centers. Our facilities
are visited daily, by many people, community
members, students, teachers, staff, volunteers and
worshipers. This makes it all the more necessary
to have a standard policy in place.
This policy was developed by a Board-approved
committee consisting of Saba Khan (Chair),
Carol Rahim, Tariq Malhance, Altaf Baki,
Mussarath Khan and Mohammed Mukarram
Ali. A law firm ’Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer,
Rodick & Kohn LLP’ was hired by the
committee that specializes in working with
non-profit organizations on sensitive topics
such as harassment. In brief, the policy not
only defines harassment but also lists steps to be
taken if one happens to be a victim. As per the
policy, MCC will 1) have a zero tolerance for
such an offense; 2) will discipline, and 3) fire the
offenders. The policy also sets out a procedure
for filing harassment complaints and a process
of investigation(s) for any complaint received.
The policy further states that MCC will not
tolerate retaliation against anyone who lodges a
complaint about harassment.
This is a milestone in the history of MCC and we
encourage our members to be familiar with the
policy. The policy is posted on the MCC website
at www.mccchicago.org. We pray to Allah
(SWT) that we don’t have to ever use this, but
if we were to - now we have something in place
that will help the victim and will provide MCC
a firm stand.
Obama Care Enrollment
at MCC and MEC
New Wifi Internet at MEC
Saba Khan, MCC Board
The Health Awareness Committee of MCC and
Compassionate Care Network (CCN) will be
enrolling people in Obama Care in addition to
the Free Health Screenings. There will also be an
educational seminar about Obama Care for the
small business owners. Sr. Fatema Mirza, Board,
Secretary of Compassionate Care Network, will
coordinate the program. For more information,
contact Sr. Fatema Mirza at (630) 605-6184.
MEC and the IT department now has new Wifi.
In the past several years we have had two access
points. Realizing that there was a need brothers
Shamir and Shahid Barkat of CISCO offered
their help with labor and equipment. We now
have a faster internet with nine access points
throughout the Masjid. Lastly, we also have new
guess access to all the musallees and visitors of
the Masjid to use for all purposes, Alhamdulillah!
Allama Iqbal Anniversary
Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal’s
138th birth anniversary
will be observed on
November 9, 2015.
Iqbal, widely known
as Allama Iqbal, was a
philosopher, poet, and
Allama Iqbal politician; he was born in
Sialkot, Pakistan. He is
considered one of the most important figures in
Urdu literature, with literary work in both the
Urdu and Persian languages. Iqbal is admired
as a prominent classical poet by Pakistani,
Indian, Iranian, and other international scholars
of literature. Iqbal is also a highly acclaimed
“Muslim philosophical thinker of modern times”.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Muhammad_
Iqbal; and The Message, VOL. 49, No. 11, page 3,
Muharram - Safar, 1436, November 2014
MCCA Middle Schoolers
Help Burmese Refugees
Burma Clothing Drive
The MCCA middle
school ran a canned
food and winter
clothing drive to
collect items for
Burmese refugees
forced out of
their homes in
Myanmar. Nearly
a thousand items
were collected.
Sadiya Barkat, MCCA
(Continued from MCC Fundraising Dinner on Page 1)
MCC/MEC dinner this year. We are grateful to
our past leaders for bringing our institutions to
their current vantage point. Inshallah, we look
forward to our youth rising to the challenge and
taking leadership to the next level.
Rasha Ali, Freelance Writer
MCC Publications Committee
Layout Editor
Chairperson
Najah Bhatty
Asea Qidwai
Co-Chair
Zeeshan Abbasi
Editorial Advisor
Javed Bhatty
The Message is a monthly publication of the Muslim
Community Center that provides a forum for members
to engage with the administration, organization, and
activities of MCC/MEC and with each other. Submit
your questions and comments to: MCCpublication@
gmail.com. The opinions expressed in The Message do
not necessarily represent those of MCC. The editors
reserve the right to edit all material.
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