July 2010  Issue 39   Message From Imam Jamal Said Preserving the Muslim Family  I would like to address an important matter that constitutes the building block of our community. It is the family.   We cannot ignore the alarming trend we have been witnessing lately among Muslim families: dysfunctional families, increasing marital disputes, increasing divorce rates, and more children are being raised by single parents. In fact, in 2009 we performed 150 marriages and 56 divorces at our Mosque, which indirectly shows that for every three marriages, one could end up in divorce. We do not want to reach the national rate of divorce, in which 43% of first marriages end in separation or divorce within 15 years (according to a recently released report by The National Center for Health Statistics).  Read more... Sh. Jamal Said Leads Prayer for Slain Humanitarians   by Connie Martin Five busloads of men, women and children left the Mosque Foundation on Tuesday, June 1st to join over a thousand protesters in front of the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago.  The rally brought out Muslim, Christian and Jewish protesters alike who gathered to protest against Israel's deadly raid on an aid flotilla bringing humanitarian relief supplies into the war ravaged Gaza strip.  Read more... In This Issue Message From the Imam Sh. Jamal Said Leads Prayer for Slain Humanitarians Be Like Prophet Mohammad Young Minds, Ripe & Absorbent Mosque Foundation Donates to Disabled Children In Our Own Words - Reflections of Youth   Be Like Prophet Mohammad        by  Dr. Zaher Sahloul The "Everybody Draw Mohammad Day" Facebook campaign was not the first time that someone started a campaign, wrote an article, published a book or drew a caricature to demonize, hurt the image, make fun of, or belittle Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him.)  The campaign was meant to generate publicity and also reactions from Muslim groups, and it accomplished both.  Read more... Young Minds, Ripe & Absorbent   by Deanna Othman  After meeting some of the members of my mother's interfaith book club, my older daughter came back and told the younger one: "Did you know Sitty [grandmother] has friends who are not Muslim?" The younger one innocently replied: "No she doesn't, everyone is Muslim."  Read more... Mosque Foundation Donates to Disabled Children    by Taqiyy A. Pasha  The Pasha family would like to take this opportunity to sincerely express their appreciation and gratitude for the support and generous donation given to them by the Mosque Foundation for the Family Resources Center on Disabilities (FRCD) Walk-N-Roll O'Thon which was held in Oak Park on May 22nd.  Read more... In Our Own Words - Reflections of Youth     Original articles written by local youth:                                           A Mother's Love     by Jenan Abdelsalam       Aqsa School Among all people who love us, you will not find someone who will adore you more than your mother. The mother has unconditional love toward her children, which helps the child feel special and welcomed.  Read more...      Grape Leaves      by Laialee Zughayyer        Aqsa School Every Arab loves grape leaves, not only for their delicious taste, but also for their cultural connection.  It's a tradition; every family gathering must have a platter of grape leaves.  The grape leaves flowing juices make us feel instantly closer to home and to those we love.  Read more...    Attention Middle and High School Students!  To submit your original Islamically appropriate articles or art work for the Community Pulse, email them to connie@mosquefoundation.org.  Articles must be in Word format, Art work must be in jpg, pdf or png format.  Include your name and school.  All submissions will be considered according to Community Pulse guidelines.

Forward email This email was sent to he1043@yahoo.com by info@mosquefoundation.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Mosque Foundation | 7360 W 93rd Street | Bridgeview | IL | 60455