The great Imam Al Awzaaie said, "No step is more lovable to Allah (SW) than a step to bring reconciliation." This understanding from Imam Al Awzaaie is based on his knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah regarding the importance of this matter. Allah said, {Indeed, all the believers are brethren. Thus set aright [relations] between your brothers. And fear God, so that you may be shown mercy} 49:10. The prophet (pbuh) said, "Shall I tell you of what is better than the level of Salah, Siam and Sadaqah?" The companions said, "Yes O Prophet!" He (pbuh) replied, "to bring reconciliation among (people)" Hadith narrated by Abu Daoud.

In his landmark study about successful leadership, Jim Collins, the author of "From Good to Great," reported that the most successful contemporary leaders possess two unique but paradoxical qualities; a combination of deep personal humility and intense professional will. They are humble but not weak.  They are modest, not pretentious, but carry in their hearts a deep and fierce resolve. These leaders attain the highest level of leadership, or what he termed "level 5" of leadership, by attending to people first, giving credit to others routinely, blaming themselves for poor results and relying on inspired standards.

The percentage of Muslim physicians in the Chicagoland area is significant, but trying to find a Muslim Chaplain in most hospitals is nearly impossible.  This is one of the reasons Mosque Foundation Associate Director, Sh. Kifah Mustapha, decided to address this issue by enrolling in the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, where he recently completed the first unit.  After his Chaplain certification with the Red Cross, Sh. Kifah knew this additional training would be a great opportunity for education and outreach to the Muslim and Non-Muslim community alike. "This training was a new experience for me in dealing with people's hardships and trauma during times of sickness and death," Sh. Kifah said, "I felt this was something needed to better serve our Mosque Foundation community."

 

Our most noticeable improvement, the expansion project, is nearing completion. By the grace of Allah (SWT), our community truly joined hearts and extended hands, selflessly and generously, in hopes of concluding this historic endeavor. Our newly expanded masjid enthusiastically opened its doors to thousands of worshippers last Ramadan, and for the first time in many years, we prayed the Eid Al-Adha salah in unison, without the need to hold two separate prayers.  Read full article
 

 

 

How long have you been a member of MFCC?
Yaqoub:  Since 2005
Hoda:  Since 2005.
 
What is your favorite thing to do at MFCC?
Yaqoub:  Weight lifting, because I just like the feeling of working out.
Hoda:  Hanging out with my friends and the counselors and talking. Also sitting behind the desk. And AMIRA'S BIRD CALL!!
 
Who is your favorite counselor and why?
Yaqoub:  Omar, because he helped me become better in my character and how I act.
Hoda:  Amira! And unfortunately Mona.  (haha)
 
Have you learned anything from MFCC you will never forget?
Yaqoub:  Yes, in the lectures about the signs of the Day of Judgment and the Dajjal.
Hoda:  Life is nothing without Islam! Azza's khatiras teach me everyday little things like what to say when I look in the mirror, which I do 318 times a day.
 
Would you like to see anything added to MFCC?
Yaqoub:  Yes, more field trips like paintballing.
 
What would you like to see changed in MFCC?
Yaqoub:  Kids cooperating better with the counselors when it's time for salah.
Hoda:  Amira getting married!
 
What is your funniest or most memorable moment at MFCC?
Yaqoub:  When Ahmed Khalili side kicked Ahmed Ahmed in Martial Arts!
 
What are your plans for the future?
Yaqoub:  Study computer engineering.
Hoda:  I want to be a doctor.  Say insha Allah!
 
Would you come back to MFCC when you're older to be a counselor?
Hoda:  Yes! I loved being junior counselor in March because it taught me responsibility. This job is harder than it looks! And inshallah when I'm a doctor and I have a lot of money I would donate to it because I want everyone to have a place to learn like I did.

The Mosque Foundation Community Center had its first father and son event on Saturday, February 28th. Fathers came in swarming numbers to attend the session with guest speaker Safaa Zarzour, hoping for some tips about the best ways to reach out to their sons and bridge the generation gap. About 25 people were in the main program hall at the start of the program, mostly young boys, but then dramatically increased to over one hundred individuals consisting mostly of fathers. Br. Zarzour addressed the fathers and sons about the ills of this society and the best ways of providing safe, Islamic alternatives. The boys were dismissed to play at the center while the fathers stayed to have a more intimate meeting with Br. Zarzour. The fathers showed genuine concern for their children's futures, and it was apparent they wanted to find ways to better address the problems their adolescent boys were facing. They expressed the need to confront the issues of drugs and sexual relations within our own community and agreed that finding solutions to these social illnesses must be on the top of our list. Many fathers expressed a desire to improve the communication with their youth and truly wanted to understand how to connect with them. It was Ali (R) who advised us 1400 years ago that the best way of dealing with our children's generation is to try and understand or live in their generation. This is beautiful advice given by one of the greatest sahabah of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The fathers left the seminar encouraged and ready to work, expressing their gratitude and support for this program, and the need for more like them. Inshallah the Mosque Foundation Community Center will be expanding this event to explore these and other issues which have been troubling our community.