Has it really made a difference? This is a question that might cross our minds regarding the Mosque Foundation Community Center. For Rana Nassar and Maha Zaghmoury, two young girls who regularly attend the youth programs, the answer to that question would be a definite 'YES!' These two girls recently made the decision to wear hijab in fulfillment of their Islamic obligation, and they say that attending the Community Center inspired them to take that step.

Maha, a 6th grader at Kolb School, started wearing the hijab this past December. When asked what inspired her the most, she replied that many of the Tuesday lectures by MFCC Director Lena Tleib made her think seriously about how important it is to obey the orders of Allah. One lecture in particular stayed in her memory about how "Allah grades us on what we do." Maha said that going to school wearing hijab wasn't too hard. "My friends and teachers treated me the same as before, but there were a few mean kids who told me to take that rag off my head." Even after enduring those hurtful comments, Maha said she has never felt a moment of regret, and that she feels she has more courage now to face whatever comes, knowing that Allah is pleased with her. Maha said her family was initially surprised by her decision because she used to like to wear capris, but they were very pleased and supportive. Her father had a serious talk with her about the importance of maintaining good behavior in public because wearing the hijab is a responsibility to be a "good role model for Islam." Maha wanted to give this advice to girls who may have never attended the youth programs at the MFCC: "If you want to be a stronger Muslim, you should come here because they will push you to the right path."

Rana Nassar is a sophomore attending Stagg High School, and she started wearing hijab this past August. She said the Tuesday lectures also had a big impact on her decision, saying that she thought about it over the entire summer until she finally wore it full time in August. Rana said her family was very happy with her decision, and told her this would bring her closer to Allah, and make her a better Muslim. Rana credits her regular involvement in the youth programs for giving her a push in the right direction. Luckily, Rana never experienced any of the cruel remarks that Maha did at school, adding that the other muhajaba girls were proud of her and continue to encourage her. Both Maha and Rana were surprised with a party at MFCC when they first wore the hijab to celebrate their first step toward a new journey. The counselors and the other girls warmly congratulated them, and counselor Amani Suleiman even gave each one their first new scarf as a gift. Both girls proudly said that Amani was like a real sister to them, always trying to push them toward the right path.

The Mosque Foundation Community Center is open daily from 9am-10pm. Youth programs for girls are Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday from 3-10pm, and for boys Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 3- 10pm. Adult programs include a Women's Fitness class on Tuesday & Thursday mornings, a men's Computer Basics class on Saturday evening, as well as a community breakfast alternating every 2nd Wednesday or Saturday of each month. For more information about MFCC programs, call (708) 598-6307.

The Mosque Foundation Community Center held its first annual Fundraising Dinner on Friday, May 11th, 2007 at the Chateau Del Mar in Hickory Hills, along with a program of games and activities for the children at PGN. It was a great turnout for the first event with an attendance of around 400 guests. Dr. Ghassan Abdallah, president of the Mosque Foundation Community Center, and Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president of the Mosque Foundation, welcomed the audience, elaborating on the need for a full time community center with emphasis on youth oriented programs, hence the transition from the "Muslim Youth Center" to the newly renamed "Mosque Foundation Community Center."

The audience enjoyed a full evening of programming which included a mini documentary feature about the MFCC programs, narrated by MFCC Director Lena Tleib; recognition and presentation of prizes to recent Qur'an Competition winners; entertainment by comedian Mo Amer from Houston, Texas, and the "Art of Voices" boys' nasheed group, directed by Sh. Kifah. The guest speaker was Br. Rami Nashashibi, president of Innercity Muslim Action Network (IMAN), who expressed his happiness over the transition of the MFCC, citing the importance of generational connections to strengthen the struggling youth. "Our youth are facing a crisis of the disconnection of substance and spirit of what they are. This is our main concern. When you forget God, you forget who you are", Rami stated in response to the world's current obsession with the possibility of the radicalization of Muslim youth.

The Mosque Foundation Community Center raised over $40,000 in collections and pledges, just a little short of their goal of $50,000, but all in all, was a successful evening. We look forward to next year.

On Saturday, April 21st, 2007, the Mosque Foundation held its Annual General Assembly meeting to report the past year's activities to the community, and to elect eight new members to the Board of Directors. Highlights of the past year were presented through the reports of the President, Dr. Zaher Sahloul, the Imams, Sh. Jamal and Sh. Kifah, MFCC Director, Lena Tleib, Board Treasurer, Mubarak Amine, as well as the Weekend School and various committees. At the end of the evening, the registered members of the Mosque Foundation voted in eight new Board of Director members.

Congratulations to our newly elected Board of Director members, Kamel Sandouka, Dr. Mohamed Shalabi, Aisheh Said, Salem Akhras, Wisam Zegar, Rajai Ismail, Ayman Salem, and Mohamed Aduib.

There is no one whose life hasn't been affected by cancer, whether directly or indirectly. The Mosque Foundation recognizes the moral and civic obligation toward finding a cure for such diseases which strike indiscriminately any age, race or gender. Whether through financial contributions, volunteerism, sponsorship or active participation in organized events, the Mosque Foundation encourages our congregants to be involved.

Every year a national organization called "Y-Me" organizes a walkathon to raise money for breast cancer research in hopes of finding a cure for this often fatal disease. This year, the Mosque Foundation Community Center, led by Director Lena Tleib, arranged our important participation in this event. On Sunday, May 13th, two buses left from the Community Center with 68 registered participants to Grant Park for the 3 mile walk. The girls wore matching pink t-shirts and scarves, and everyone had a great time for a worthy cause.

Another worthy cause is the Relay For Life, an all night walkathon to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society, committed to finding a cure for all cancers. This June 22nd will be the second year of the Mosque Foundation's Diamond Sponsorship of this event held yearly in the Bridgeview Park District. Everyone is encouraged to participate. For more information, call the Mosque Foundation Community Center at (708) 598-6307.

As a new feature in our e-newsletter, the Mosque Foundation would like to spotlight one of its regular programs each month in order to keep the community informed of the many benefits available for higher learning. This month we would like to spotlight the "Sisters' English Program" held every Sunday from 11 am -1 pm. This program has been a regular fixture for the English speaking sisters at the MF since 1989, and is one of the few weekly lectures which continues throughout the year, including the month of Ramadan when many of the other regular programs are on hiatus. An average of 30-50 women attend the Sunday class on a regular basis, including more than a dozen Spanish speaking sisters who started their own Spanish language lecture from 12-1 pm, after coming together in this class.

Sister Noor Idris teaches the Tafseer of Qur'an from 11-noon, usually covering 10-12 verses every week in order, from the beginning of the Qur'an to the end. The class has finished the entire Qur'an twice, and is currently on the third round. Various guest speakers are invited from 12-1 pm to speak about a variety of topics relevant to daily life. On March 12th, the class began a series of detailed lectures about the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH), based on the Martin Lings book, which the class is reading together.

Over the years, the Sunday class has been involved in many group projects, such as hosting Iftar dinners during Ramadan, Eid parties, Qur'anic memorization, contests and competitions, annual family picnics, collections for various charity projects, as well as sponsoring Muslim orphans, locally and abroad.

"This class is like a refill of spirituality from the emptiness of this worldly life," said Irene Khatib, a convert who has been regularly attending the class for about nine years. Her sentiments were echoed by many others in the class, some of whom are in the daily workplace with non-Muslims and depend on the weekly gathering of other sisters they feel they can relate to. Masoun Sheikh said that even though she was wearing hijab when she began coming to the Sunday class 13 years ago, she really didn't have much knowledge of her religion. "This class really showed me that women have rights in Islam, and I never knew that when I was growing up. Now I feel the knowledge I've gained by attending this class helps me raise my own kids."

The Sisters' Sunday Class welcomes sisters of all ages and is child friendly, so if you haven't checked out this regular program yet, now is the time!

This March, the Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry celebrated its two year anniversary of service since its initial grand opening in March 2005. Located at 7210 W. 90th Place in Bridgeview, the MF Community Food Pantry serves up to 150 needy families per week by distributing free food and household items every Monday from 10 am - 1 pm. The Food Pantry is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers who selflessly devote their time to serve Allah by serving others.

"If the Mosque Foundation was a sky, this Food Pantry would definitely be one of its brightest stars", says Connie Al-Ramahi, one of the Food Pantry coordinators, "we clearly see the benefit it has brought to this community, as well as the positive perception of Muslims it has brought to our non-Muslim clients. It is totally worth every minute of hard work we invest in it. Over half, if not more of our clients are non-Muslim, and many of these people are in dire need. I am reminded of something one of our clients said to me that I will never forget. He is an older gentleman who lives in the mobile home park in Bridgeview. We had received a large donation of Arabic food products from a distributor one month and the packages for distribution were full of Arabic food, so before I gave the man his food package I told him that I would substitute the Arabic products in his package for items he's more familiar with. He looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said 'Ma'am, when you're hungry you'll eat just about anything. I appreciate anything you give me so don't feel like you have to do anything special for me.' That really put everything in perspective for me about the obligation we have toward people. Maybe whatever they might have thought about Muslims before they stepped into the Food Pantry is changed when they step out. I hope that they see the true kindness and generosity of Islam when they see all these ladies wearing hijab eager to help them. This is the highest form of dawah."

Food donations and financial support are greatly appreciated. Volunteer and community service opportunities are available.

Finally...we can say, "Excuse our dust!" After a prolonged process of satisfying the Village of Bridgeview's code requirements for parking and safety, completing detailed expansion plans, completing the bidding process, and finally acquiring the building permit, the long await for construction to begin has finally come.

The Mosque Foundation Board of Directors decided to contract Chicago Heights Construction Company, a reputable construction company with a century of experience in similar and even larger projects. The safety fence was erected on Tuesday, March 20th, and digging for the construction began on Friday, March 30th. In a little over two months, we are already seeing the basement coming together right before our eyes! The new basement and first floor will be ready for Ramadan prayers, according to the construction company's president, with the entire expansion expected to be completed within one year. Please be advised that only the South and downstairs North entrances are open for brothers and sisters to enter and exit, with the basement doors open for sisters only on Fridays. We apologize for any inconveniences during the construction phase, but the outcome will be well worth the temporary inconveniences.

The good news doesn't stop there. In related news, the owner of the land on the east side of Aqsa School has agreed to sell the lot to the Mosque Foundation in order to expand our present parking area to accommodate an additional 110 cars.

Allah has truly blessed the Mosque Foundation with such a generous and devoted community to keep the mosque programs and services running smoothly. As of yet, we have not collected all the funds needed for the completion of the expansion project, but we feel confident that through the barakah of Allah and the generous donations from our community, we will shortly. Remember that any donation toward building a mosque is sadaqah jariyah, a continuous charity. Your prayers and donations are appreciated.