MCC East Bay

Women's Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa | The Rahmah Foundation
2026-01-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 4 more dates | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly women’s gathering on Friday evenings to discuss navigating contemporary issues. This program runs in parallel to the Friday night girl’s halaqa.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Every Friday from September 19, 2025, to May 22, 2026 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania
– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Night Halaqa (FNH) recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa
– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4
– The Rahmah Foundation’s Holiday Calendar: https://mcceastbay.org/rahmah-calendar

The FNH Fall session runs from Friday, September 19, 2025, to May 22, 2026, with no halaqas on the following dates: Friday, November 28, December 19, December 26, January 2, February 20 through March 27, April 3, and April 10. See calendar.

Free weekly babysitting is provided in Room 23. Facility map: https://mcceastbay.org/facility-map

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

This women’s halaqa is hosted at MCC and runs parallel to the girls & teens program in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.

Ustadha Rania Awaad was raised in the U.S. and began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive Ijazah (authorization to teach) several branches of the Shari’ah sciences at the hands of many renowned scholars, including many female scholars. She has received Ijazah to teach Tajwid in the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the late eminent Syrian scholar Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition to completing several advanced texts of the Shafi’i madhhab, she is licensed to teach texts of Maliki fiqh, Adab, and Ihsan. Currently, Ustadha Rania teaches online and local classes for The Rahmah Foundation, Rabata. She is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh and women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.

Ustadha Rania is also a medical doctor with a specialty in Psychiatry. She completed her Psychiatric residency and fellowship training at Stanford University, where she is currently on the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in the Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department. Her medical interests include addressing mental health care concerns in the Muslim community- particularly that of Muslim women and girls. She has been awarded grants from the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) to research this topic and has presented her findings at several medical conferences. Other ongoing endeavors include compiling manuscripts addressing female-related mental health and medical issues from a fiqh-oriented perspective. She is the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches traditional Islamic knowledge to Muslim women and girls. In this capacity, she also heads the Murbbiyah Mentoring Program, which trains young women to teach and mentor Muslim girls and teens. Ustadha Rania is both a wife and a mother; she has been counseling and teaching women classes on Tajwid, Shafi’i Fiqh, Ihsan, marriage, and raising children since 1999.

Learn more about Dr. Rania and her work at http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/research/MuslimMHLab.html

Every Friday evening, the MCC bustles with activity. MCC hosts four halaqas to increase God-consciousness for youth, women, and men.

Join Dr. Rania Awaad‘s women’s gathering on navigating contemporary issues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This wide-ranging Muslimah halaqa is in the MCC Conference Room, and the first hour is live-streamed here (watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/halaqa). This halaqa is organized in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation. Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (in-person & virtual) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2026-01-12 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-19 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-26 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-02 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join our weekly sisters’ in-person & virtual Seerah book club, where we have an active discussion, take away lessons for our daily lives, and inshaAllah fall in love with the Prophet ﷺ. This year, we are reading from Our Lady Fatima al-Zahra (R.A.) by Muhammad Abduh Yamani.

Every Monday, in-person & virtual | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | MCC | Women only | RSVP for the live registration link at https://mcceastbay.org/bookclub | RSVP is needed to join us virtually

Event Details:

The in-person & virtual discussion takes place every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a break in Ramadan ’26.

Please register online to receive the link to the WhatsApp thread where all communication and updates will be made.

Book Purchase:

If you wish to follow along with the book, please purchase the book. The book can be purchased here:

https://www.meccabooks.com/products/our-lady-fatima-al-zahra
https://store.celebratemercy.com/products/our-lady-fatima-al-zahra?srsltid=AfmBOoolySfro5MbF50JY0y6f-0yyRMdaGwsDMa2DqstKJWBykrF1Tpa
https://bookshop.rabata.org/search?q=pur+lady&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

For those local in the Bay Area:

Rumi Bookstore
Zaytuna Bookstore

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

This book is about the life and virtues of the eminent lady Sayyidatunā Fāṭima al-Zahra ﵂. Through her, with Sayyidunā ‘Alī ﵁, the blessed lineage of her father, the Messenger of God ﷺ, was preserved. She resembled him in every way, and of all people she was the dearest to his heart. She stood with him ﷺ and strove always to serve and aid him, taking care of him after the death of her mother, Sayyidatunā Khadīja ﵂. Fāṭima was brave, strong, forbearing, dutiful, gracious, and protective. She was a loving mother and an inspiring example to her sons, Imams Ḥasan and Ḥusayn ﵁. Fāṭima al-Zahrā ﵂ tells the life story of its subject in a vivid, straightforward manner, linking it to the history of Islam from the early times of tribulation to the establishment of the Dīn and the Community based in al-Madīna. Its style and approach are very suitable for children, as well as for older readers. The author, Dr Muhammad Abduh Yamani (d.1431/2010), who served for several years as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Information, was a distinguished educationalist, author and businessman, notable also for his piety and philanthropy.

Mommy & Me Saturday Session | MCC's Mommy & Me Program
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For our Toddlers and Preschoolers (ages 1-5): Join us on Saturday mornings for a Mommy & Me session where children will develop a love for Islam, Allah (swt), and RasulAllah (saw) through book reading, sing-alongs, Parachute Time, activities, and more!
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Conference Room or Prayer Hall | $20 per session | Register at mcceastbay.org/happyhearts
These Mommy & Me sessions are designed for girls and boys ages one to four who are accompanied by a female guardian. Moms, grandmothers, and so on are welcome. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other moms and caretakers in the MCC community.
Our Mommy and Me sessions begin with dua and a salaam/greeting song and end with the Fi-Amanillah song and kid-favorite parachute time.
Questions? Happy Hearts Playgroup Facilitator Sr. Khadija at mommyandme@mcceastbay.org
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any activity held in the community center. To request a financial waiver, please complete our financial waiver request: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Monthly Sisterhood Hike | Sisters in the Outdoors
2026-02-08 08:00 - 10:30 | Sycamore Grove Park, 1051 Wetmore Rd, Livermore, California, 94550
Join us at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, for a hike at Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore to get to know other sisters in the community and enjoy the great outdoors. No children, please (female teens, okay). Let us know you are coming: https://mcceastbay.org/rsvp
If sisters want to walk around more, they can do it depending on their interest/time. The hike will be canceled if there are not enough RSVPs or depending on the weather.

– When: Sunday, Feb. 8
– Time: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Please arrive a little early to park and find the group. The group can wait till 8:15 a.m. and will start the hike. Please be on time, since we cannot hold the group.
– Carpool: We highly recommend carpooling. No carpool is available from MCC for this hike. Carpooling encouraged others on this hike. Please note that cell phone service is not available at the parking lot, so we kindly request that you arrive on time.
– Parking: If the gate is closed, roadside parking is available.
– Meeting Point: Valley Viewpoint and Harrier Trail
– Trail: Valley Viewpoint and Harrier Trail
– Distance: 5.6 miles
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Misc: Wear hiking shoes if possible. Bring a small breakfast/ Lunch sandwich or something to eat. Carry enough water, a hat, and a light jacket. Please download All Trails map (free version) in case you decide to return in the middle of the hike. This will be very helpful in navigating back to the parking lot.
– RSVP: By Saturday, Feb. 7th, please let us know you are coming for this hike: https://mcceastbay.org/rsvp

Sr. Aparna Khan and Sr. Sohaila will be leading this hike. If you have trouble finding the group on the day of the hike, please call or text Sr. Aparna at (408) 480-6584 or Sr. Sohaila at (925) 786-7698. Please remember that we cannot hold all the group, so we request you to please be on time.
For future hikes, please subscribe to the MCC newsletter and/or add your phone number to the Women’s Hiking WhatsUp group.
Please wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes, carry a water bottle, a small snack, a hat, sunglasses, and hiking poles if you have one.
Questions? hiking@mcceastbay.org
About this trail:
Sycamore Grove Park features several trails and dirt roads that wind through open, grassy meadows above the Arroyo Del Valle. This route begins at the Ranger Amy Amphitheater to the south. The Harrier Trail is an extension of the Valley View Trail, a short, winding trail. Bring water and a hat, and be sure to protect yourself from the sun.

Gathering of the Hearts | Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi
2026-02-12 19:30 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi for our monthly in-person and online gathering for women (ages 18+) to commune, reflect, discuss, and gain strength and support from each other.
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Monthly on a Thursday | Free; no registration required | Conference Room or watch live online at https://mcceastbay.org/live
In this class, we use “Purification of the Heart” and “Foundations of the Spiritual Path” By Sidi Ahmad Zarruq, Translated by Hamza Yusuf. Download the book at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/foundations
Watch past session recordings at https://mcceastbay.org/muslimah-purification
We discuss spirituality, self-development, relevant and contemporary topics, and issues related to Muslim women’s roles and responsibilities in today’s knotted-up world. We also examine “Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart” by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.

– More Ustadha Hosai: https://mcceastbay.org/hosai
– ‘Purification of the Heart’ Series: (Adults): https://mcceastbay.org/heart-purification
– ‘Purification of the Heart’ Series: (Women): https://mcceastbay.org/muslimah-purification
– ‘Purification of the Heart’ Series (Teens): https://mcceastbay.org/purification
– ‘Agenda to Change our Condition’ Series: https://mcceastbay.org/agenda
– ‘Modern Muslim Parenting’ Series: https://mcceastbay.org/islamic-parenting

This is a discussion-based group, and participation is not only encouraged, but it is required.
Sorry, no babysitting provided. The in-person option is for women only, or the virtual option so anyone can watch live on:

– YouTube: https://mcceastbay.org/live
– Facebook: https://mcceastbay.org/facebook
– Instagram: https://mcceastbay.org/instagram

About Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi:
Hosai Mojaddidi is the co-founder of mentalhealth4muslims.com, where she advocates for and writes about various mental health-related topics tailored for Muslims. She has served the American-Muslim community for nearly 20 years as an activist, writer/editor, mediator, interfaith organizer, and public speaker, covering a variety of topics, including women’s issues, marriage/family, education, self-development, interfaith bridge-building, spirituality, etc.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, blogging via social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), doing arts and crafts, visiting gourmet coffee shops, and exploring the countless beautiful parks, beaches and nature preserves throughout Northern California where she lives with her husband, two sons, and fish named Max.
These monthly sessions are live-streamed and recorded. Watch past Ustadha Hosai recordings at https://mcceastbay.org/hosai
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Women's Quran Circles (Pre-Ramadan Bay Area Khatam)
2026-02-15 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Teen Girls & All Sisters! Ten Qur’an Circle groups across the Bay Area gather to complete their Qur’an together and recite du’a. Join us as we launch new collective Quran Circles and motivate each other, as sisters, to complete the Quran this Ramadan.
Sunday, Feb. 15 | 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. | MCC Conference Room (refreshments served in the Banquet Hall) | Sisters Only | In-person only | Space limited | Free; RSVP at mcceastbay.org/grand-khatam
Sponsored by Quran Circles & MCC East Bay.
About QuranCircles
QuranCircles is an initiative rooted in connection and suhba through the collective reading of the Book of Allah. It follows a simple, reproducible model in which 10–12 members come together each month to complete a khatam (full reading) of the Qur’an.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
About the Presenters:
Anse Sawsan Imady
Ustadha Sawsan Imady is a scholar and educator. She has a BA in English literature from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an M.S.Ed. in Education from the University of Southern California. She has taught for over 45 years and has worked in many schools and educational institutions, in roles including teacher, supervisor, teacher trainer, and member of several Cognia accreditation teams. She has been involved in developing several curricula. She has studied for decades with elite scholars in Syria. Her most recent position was at the Islamic Educational College in Amman, Jordan, where she served as Educational Supervisor for the American Program for the past 11 years.
Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi is the co-founder of MH4M (http://mentalhealth4muslims.com), established in 2010. For nearly 20 years, she has been actively involved in the Bay Area and Southern California Muslim community, working and volunteering for many notable organizations. Learn more about her at http://hosaimojaddidi.com
– More Ustadha Hosai: http://mcceastbay.org/hosai

Sisters Ramadan Daily Juz Reading Program
2026-02-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Sisters: In Ramadan, join us virtually every day for a daily Qur’an reading buddy program and get help reading the Qur’an with one of MCC’s qualified Qur’anic teachers.
If you are struggling to read the Qur’an or need some motivation to read your daily Juz(chapter), then this program is for you!
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST | Daily in Ramadan | Virtually | Sisters only | Join virtually at mcceastbay.org/quran-buddy
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Women's Qiyam & Suhoor | The Rahmah Foundation
2026-02-27 23:30 - 2026-02-28 05:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Women & Girls Ages 14+: Join our esteemed panel of speakers for a night of prayer, remembrance, and reminders starting after the Taraweeh prayer ends (11 p.m.)
We are honored to be joined by Ustadha Reem Shaikh, Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi, Qariya Husna Sabir, Dr. Rania Awaad, Ustadha Raghad Al-Nouri, and Anse Sawsan Imady (tentative), as well as others.
11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. | Friday, Feb. 27 – Saturday, Feb. 28 | Prayer Hall | Free; girls and women ages 14+ | Suhoor provided at about 4 a.m. | Register for in-person at mcceastbay.org/womens-qiyam | To join online, register at tinyurl.com/FridayRahmahHalaqa2
Cosponsored by The Rahmah Foundation and MCC East Bay. For female teens and women only.

– More The Rahmah Foundation at the MCC: https://mcceastbay.org/rahmah-foundation
– More sessions for Muslim women: https://mcceastbay.org/women

Qiyam Ul-Layl literally translates to “standing during the night”. And in the Islamic Tradition, the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Sahih Muslim)
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never prevent a person from attaining spiritual or practical knowledge from any event or class held within the community center. To request a financial waiver, message scholarship@mcceastbay.org
About the Speakers
Ustadha Anse Sawsan Imady
Ustadha Anse Sawsan Imady learned traditional Islam from her female teachers over 40 years. She has a BA in English literature and a Masters in Education. During her career, she has been a teacher of English and other subjects; as well as an Academic Supervisor, writing curriculum, directing instruction, and training teachers. She was born to a Syrian father and an American mother, bridging those two worlds throughout her life. She has raised five children with her husband of 42 years. Learn more about her at http://www.peacespective.org
Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi
Ustadha Hosai co-founded MH4M (http://mentalhealth4muslims.com), established in 2010. For nearly 20 years, she has been actively involved in the Bay Area and Southern California Muslim community, working and volunteering for many notable organizations. Learn more about her at http://hosaimojaddidi.com. Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi was born in Afghanistan and moved to the United States with her family at age two. She credits her Islamic journey to the year 1996, when she began attending Islamic classes in Hayward, California. These classes were taught by her teacher and mentor since then; Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. One of her main areas of focus is to help create a strong sisterhood for the women in the community by leading halaqas (spiritual study circles) and support groups whilst offering individual spiritual counseling and mentoring. She noted that many of the spiritual problems encountered were reflective of the deep and complicated mental health issues of the community and would be better served by focusing on mental health. Thus, along with her cousin Dr. Nafisa Sekandari, they co-founded a website called Mental Health 4 Muslims (www.mentalhealth4muslims.com). Ustadha Hosai is a freelance writer and editor who lectures on various Islamic/spiritual topics.

More Ustadha Hosai: mcceastbay.org/hosai

Hafidha Husna Sabeer
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Hafidha Husna is an active member of her community and works as an Islamic teacher at Tarbiya Institute. She is currently a college student and pursuing a degree in Nursing. She attended Madrasat Nurul Islam, where she studied and gained her Islamic knowledge. She completed her hifdh of the Quran and is a continuing student of knowledge. In leisure time, Husna enjoys reading, longboarding, and spending time with friends.
Ustadha Reem Shaikh
Ustadha Reem memorized the Qur’an at age seven and studied Arabic in Egypt. She earned a BA in Islamic Studies from Qatar University and an MTS from Harvard University, where she also served as the Muslim Chaplain at Boston University. Additionally, Ustadha Reem holds ijazat in Qur’anic recitations and has taught at Guidance College. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Islamic Law at UT Austin.
Ustadha Rania Awaad

Shaykah Dr. Rania Awaad M.D., is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine where she is the Director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab as well as Stanford University’s Affiliate Chaplain and Affiliate Professor of Islamic Studies. In the community, she serves as the President and Co-Founder of Maristan, a holistic mental health nonprofit serving Muslim communities, and the Director of The Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Muslim women and girls. Prior to studying medicine, she pursued classical Islamic studies in Damascus, Syria, and holds certifications (ijaza) in the Qur’an, Islamic Law, and other branches of the Islamic Sciences. Follow her @Dr.RaniaAwaad
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Prophetic Focus: Honoring the Body as an Amanah | Shaykh Ieasha Prime & Dr. Rania Awaad
2026-03-01 13:30 - 17:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Sisters! Join us for a Ramadan Learning Circle focused on honoring the body as an amanah and rediscovering the Prophet’s ﷺ balanced approach to worship, rest, and self-care. Let’s redefine productivity this Ramadan with intention, compassion, and balance.
Discover the Prophet ﷺ’s balanced approach to worship, rest, and self-care. This session will explore how Islam encourages caring for our physical and spiritual well-being, addressing burnout, sleep deprivation, and the pressure of “Ramadan productivity.” Learn how to redefine a truly productive Ramadan through balance, intention, and compassion.
Sunday, March 1 | 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST | MCC Prayer Hall (capped at 400 sisters) | Join in-person or watch virtually (for registered sisters, we will send you the unlisted livestream link one hour before we go live) | Free (option to pre-order take-out Iftar dinner boxes); RSVP at http://mcceastbay.org/healing-circle
Unfortunately, we do not have the space to host an Iftar due to other events at MCC already happening during Iftar time. Please plan to break your fast elsewhere or purchase to-go Iftar boxes.
Co-hosted by Maristan, The Rahmah Foundation, & MCC East Bay
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Ieasha Prime is the Director of Women’s Programming at Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Virginia and the founder of the DC Muslim Women’s Conference. She converted to Islam more than 20 years ago, after serving as a Youth Ambassador to Morocco and Senegal. There, she developed a thirst for knowledge that led her to sit at the feet of some of the top Islamic Scholars of our time and learn from them. After having participated in several circles of knowledge in the US, Ieasha decided to pursue religious studies abroad. She studied Arabic and the Quran at the Fajr Institute in Cairo, Egypt. Later, she moved to Hadramaut, Yemen, and enrolled in Dar al Zahra, an Islamic University for Women. There, she studied Aqeedah, the Quran, Hadith, Arabic, Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic law, the Purification of the Heart, and other religious-related subjects. She has received several scholarly licenses (ijaza). The work she is most committed to and enjoys has been developing Islamic programming, Islamic Studies curriculum, and Rites of Passage programs for youth and adults. The majority of her life has been as an educator and activist. She is most passionate about combining Islamic studies, cultural art, activism, and service to train leaders to rise above whatever challenges stand in their way and those of the community they serve. In addition to her full-time work, she is the co-founder and Executive Director of Barakah INC, an organization committed to training Muslim women in traditional Islamic sciences with a focus on modern application. Sister Ieasha is best known for her participation in the National Women’s March and for the courses she teaches on traditional knowledge, the challenges of race and gender in the Muslim community, and Spirituality. Ieasha Prime is a proud wife and mother of three children.
– More Shaykha Ieasha Prime: http://mcceastbay.org/prime
Shaykah Dr. Rania Awaad M.D., is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine, where she is the Director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab as well as Stanford University’s Affiliate Chaplain and Affiliate Professor of Islamic Studies. In the community, she serves as the President and Co-Founder of Maristan, a holistic mental health nonprofit serving Muslim communities, and the Director of The Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Muslim women and girls. Prior to studying medicine, she pursued classical Islamic studies in Damascus, Syria, and holds certifications (ijaza) in the Qur’an, Islamic Law, and other branches of the Islamic Sciences. Follow her @Dr.RaniaAwaad
Raised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen led to multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed with her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive Ijazah (authorization to teach) in several branches of the Shari’ah sciences from many renowned scholars, including several female scholars. She has received an Ijazah to teach Tajwid in the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the late eminent Syrian scholar Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi.
In addition to completing several advanced texts of the Shafi’i madhhab, she is licensed to teach texts of Maliki fiqh, Adab, and Ihsan. Currently, Ustadha Rania teaches online and local classes for The Rahmah Foundation, Rabata. She is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh and women’s issues in fiqh. She has also helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program. Ustadha Rania is also a medical doctor specializing in Psychiatry. She completed her Psychiatric residency and fellowship training at Stanford University, where she is currently on the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in the Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department. Her medical interests include addressing mental health care concerns in the Muslim community, particularly those of Muslim women and girls. She has been awarded grants from the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) to research this topic and has presented her findings at several medical conferences. Other ongoing endeavors include compiling manuscripts addressing female-related mental health and medical issues from a fiqh-oriented perspective.
She is the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches Muslim women and girls traditional Islamic knowledge. In this capacity, she also heads the Murbbiyah Mentoring Program, which trains young women to teach and mentor Muslim girls and teens. Ustadha Rania is both a wife and a mother; she has been counseling and teaching women classes on Tajwid, Shafi’i Fiqh, Ihsan, marriage, and raising children since 1999.
– More from Shaykha Dr. Rania: http://mcceastbay.org/rania

Henna for Hearts: Chaand Raat Event (Las Positas College Muslim Youth Group)
2026-03-19 15:00 - 18:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Girls & Women! Before Eid, join us on Thursday evening to get your henna done while supporting a beautiful cause. Come spend time together, enjoy the festive spirit, and leave with stunning henna designs.
All proceeds will support our MCC Refugee Assistance Program and Food Pantry, helping families in our community who need it most. Bring your friends, sisters, and daughters—let’s celebrate, connect, and give back together.
Thursday, March 19 | 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. | MCC Sunday School Reception Area | In-person | RSVP at mcceastbay.org/henna-night
Please note: A $5 RSVP fee is required to reserve your spot and will be applied toward the total cost of your henna. Due to time restraints, the artists will apply only simple henna designs.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Stained Glass Geometry: An Art Workshop Inspired by Islamic Design | Nahla Molla
2026-04-05 14:30 - 17:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Step into the world of timeless beauty and creativity as we explore the art of Islamic stained glass. In this hands-on workshop, participants will trace intricate geometric patterns inspired by the stunning stained-glass windows of historic Muslim architecture.
We’ll begin by outlining our designs, then—after a short drying break—bring them to life with vibrant glass paints. This two-part process allows time for reflection and connection before the final, colorful reveal.
Sunday, April 5, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | MCC Banquet Hall | For Sisters & Brothers Ages 16+ | $55/person | Register at mcceastbay.org/glass
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from participating in any community center activity. To request a financial waiver, please complete our financial waiver request: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/scholarship
About Nahla
Local Artist Nahla Molla is a former public school art teacher who is currently focused on her own personal art practice while also offering creative workshops to the local community as a part-time endeavor. More of her handcrafted and fine works can be found on her Instagram @artsynahleee
