MCC East Bay

Elementary & Middle School Boys Halaqa & Hangout | Sidi Amin Gharad & Sidi Zeeshan Mukhtar
2024-12-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-12-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-12-20 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Elementary & Middle School Boys (Ages 8-13): Join us weekly in November for a Halaqa and hang-out session to help them make connections and bonds, form a brotherhood, and navigate school and social challenges as they grow into young men.
These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident, faithful Muslim men. These Halaqas are for only ages 8-13—no younger boys. The sessions are capped at 30 teens. Once limited spots are full, please join the waitlist.
Pizza is included each week.
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Fridays | 12/6, 12/13, & 12/20 (no session on 12/27) | MCC Banquet Hall | $10/week | Register at mcceastbay.org/boys-hangout
Parents must pick up their child(ren) by 8:30 p.m., no later than 9 p.m.
Location of Friday evening sessions for high school boys in ‘25 and ‘26:

– November 21, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 28, 2024 (no session)
– December 5, 2025, at location TBA
– December 12, 2025, at location TBA
– December 19, 2025, at location TBA
– December 26, 2024 (no session)
– January 2, 2025 (no session)
– January 9, 2026, at location TBA
– January 16, 2026, at location TBA
– January 23, 2026, at location TBA
– January 30, 2026, at location TBA
– February 6, 2026, at location TBA
– February 13, 2026, at location TBA

– February 20, 2026 (no season in Ramadan)
– February 27, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)– March 6, 2026 (no session)
– March 13, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 20, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 27, 2025 (no session) at location TBA
– April 3, 2026, at location TBA
– April 10, 2026, at location TBA
– April 17, 2026, at location TBA
– April 24, 2026, at location TBA
– May 1, 2026, at location TBA
– May 8, 2026, at location TBA
– May 15, 2026, at location TBA
– May 22, 2026, at location TBA

For questions about the Halaqa, please contact Sr. Fouzia Alam at 925-330-4287.
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attaining spiritual or educational knowledge within the four walls of the Muslim Community Center. For a financial waiver for this event, please email scholarship@mcceastbay.org.
About the halaqa facilitators
Amin Gharad served two terms as President of the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) and, most recently, Islamic Studies Director at Northstar School, where he also taught boys’ P.E. He has also worked with the Yaqeen Institute on several projects, including curriculum development. In addition to his extensive experience working with and mentoring Muslim youth, he has completed Arabic studies at the Qasid Institute in Amman and studied Islamic sciences with traditional scholars based in Jordan and Turkey.
Sister Fouzia Alam, a mother of three boys, is collaborating to launch the Boys’ Halaqa. She has extensive experience and organized numerous Bay Area enrichment programs.
Azmat Zeeshan Mukhtar is a local father and mentor from our community who enjoys sports and kids. He will organize the activities and bring on some other dads to help volunteer and make this a rewarding activity for our young Muslim boys. Brother Zeeshan Mukhtar has previously led similar sessions at his son’s school, and in the past, he coached flag football for boys at MCC.

Stars & S'mores: Youth Night for High Schoolers
2025-01-11 17:00 - 19:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Hey, Girls & Boys Ages 14-18! Join the newly-formed MCC High School Youth Committee for its inaugural event, which includes dinner, games over smores, and time for teens to socialize. Don’t miss it!
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Saturday, January 11, 2025 | MCC Conference Room & Picnic Areas | $5/youth | RSVP at mcceastbay.org/night
We have sandwiches, s’mores, cookies, apple cider, hot chocolate, and water.
Parents: We will have adult MCC staff and Board member minders to assist the Youth Committee. Please drop off your teen or stay in the Prayer Hall if you choose to stay.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

"Almost Sunset" Author's Event for Muslim Children with Graphic Novelist Wahab Algarmi
2025-02-21 15:00 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us with the author of Almost Sunset to hear the story of a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life.
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (immediately after the 2:30 p.m. Jumu’ah ends) | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life.
Sponsored by Towne Center Books Pleasanton & MCC East Bay.
We are excited to host author of Almost Sunset Wahab Algarmi in conversation with author of Raised by Ghosts, Briana Loewinsohn on Thursday, February 20th at 4 pm (Pleasanton location, 555 Main St). Join us for a lively discussion about their books and how they became authors/artists.
In a contemporary middle grade graphic novel debut that Gene Luen Yang calls “funny, endearing, and an intimate look at a Muslim family,” Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life. Perfect for fans of Swim Team and Chunky.
Wahab Algarmi is a writer and comic artist. He has been creating comics and a community space for other artists in the San Francisco Bay Area for years. Some of his past comic work includes The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies.
Set in the author’s own teenage years, Raised By Ghosts begins in 1991 with semi-autobiographical Briana in middle school. Classes are a bummer, but lunches are worse; either spent alone, or being teased. Traditionally a good student, Briana is not doing well in her academics, but keeps it a secret. Her parents (divorced) are a mess, and largely absent. She spends a lot of time by herself. By high school, she makes friends, and those connections are her only source of happiness as they help each other navigate adolescence. But life at home with each parent remains fraught. When her relationships at school begin to falter, she has no one to turn to, forcing Briana to grapple with her sense of self-worth, her longing for belonging, and her desire for authenticity in her relationships.
Briana Loewinsohn is a cartoonist living in Oakland, CA. These days she teaches high school art and draws comic books. If she doesn’t text you back, she is probably gardening.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Youth Halaqa & Iftar | Ust. Quran Hodge
2025-03-07 16:30 - 19:45 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For our middle and high school girls & boys (ages 12 to 18), please join us on the first three Fridays in Ramadan for a program just for you: pray Asr in the congregation, listen to a special guest youth halaqa speaker, and enjoy a yummy dinner for Iftar.
Stick around and pray Isha/Taraweeh at 8 p.m.
Pre-halaqa attendance is required. Teens may not come for Iftar only.

– Friday, March 7: 4:45 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 4:30 p.m., halaqa begins at 4:50 p.m. promptly. Maghrib at 6:11 p.m.
RSVP at http://mcceastbay.org/youth-1 (opens on Thu., Feb. 28 @ 5 p.m.)
– Friday, March 14: 5:45 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 5:30 p.m., halaqa begins at 5:50 p.m. promptly. Maghrib at 7:18 p.m.
RSVP at http://mcceastbay.org/youth-2 (opens on Thu., March 6)

The schedule is:
4:30 p.m. – Registration + nametags
4:45 p.m. – Asr prayers
4:50 p.m. – The program begins promptly
6:11 p.m. – Maghreb Athan followed by Iftar
6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. – Fun Game/Activity led by Br. Muhammad Constantino
Nominal $5/youth cost to have an accurate number of attendees. MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any event held at MCC. For a code, please message scholarship@mcceastbay.org.
Iftar times in Ramadan 2025 at mcceastbay.org/timetable
The youth halaqa is held in the MCC Conference Room. The Iftars are held in the Banquet Hall.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Youth Halaqa & Iftar | Sidi Mahdy Amine
2025-03-14 17:30 - 20:45 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For our middle and high school girls & boys (ages 12 to 18), please join us on the first three Fridays in Ramadan for a program just for you: pray Asr in the congregation, listen to a special guest youth halaqa speaker, and enjoy a yummy dinner for Iftar.
Stick around and pray Isha/Taraweeh at 9 p.m.
Pre-halaqa attendance is required. Teens may not come for Iftar only.

Friday, March 7: 4:45 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 4:30 p.m., halaqa begins promptly at 4:50 p.m., and Maghrib at 6:11 p.m.
RSVP at http://mcceastbay.org/youth-1 (opens on Thu., Feb. 28 @ 5 p.m.)
Friday, March 14: 5:45 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 5:30 p.m. Halaqa begins promptly at 5:50 p.m., and Maghrib at 7:18 p.m.
RSVP at http://mcceastbay.org/youth-2 (opens on Thu., March 6)

The schedule is:
5:30 p.m. – Check in
5:45 p.m. – Asr prayers
5:50 p.m. – The program begins promptly
7:18 p.m. – Maghreb Athan followed by Iftar
7:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. – Fun Game/Activity led by Br. Muhammad Constantino
Nominal $5/youth cost to have an accurate number of attendees. MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any event held at MCC. For a code, please message scholarship@mcceastbay.org.
Iftar times in Ramadan 2025 at mcceastbay.org/timetable
The youth halaqa is held in the MCC Conference Room. The Iftars are held in the Banquet Hall.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Muslim Teen Gamechangers Network
2025-04-20 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-27 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-04 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-11 14:00 - 17:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Are your high schoolers passionate about social justice and ready to make a real impact? Don’t miss the incredible opportunity to join the CAIR-SFBA Muslim Gamechangers Network (MGN) Program!
This transformative four-week initiative is designed for Muslim youth who want to use their voices to drive change. Led by influential Muslim leaders in politics, city council, and civic engagement, it will give you invaluable insights into advocacy, leadership, and making a difference in your community.
What you’ll get:

Interactive workshops on leadership and social justice.
Discussions and mentorship from experienced leaders.
Practical skills to create real change in your community.

This is more than just a learning experience—it’s your chance to grow as a leader and changemaker. Lunch is included weekly in this empowerment training grounded in an optimistic Islamic worldview.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Sundays | April 20 to May 11, 2025 | $50/teen (financial waivers available) | MCC Conference Room | Register at mcceastbay.org/gamechangers
How to join: Register for the Muslim Gamechangers Network
For questions or fee waivers, please get in touch with programs@sfba.cair.com
Join the Muslim Gamechangers Network
The Muslim Gamechangers Network (MGN) is a social-justice training program for Muslim high school students that equips participants with the tools to:

Critically understand their world.
Effectively challenge injustice.
Build legacies of positive change in their communities.

The program consists of interactive sessions and relevant activities centered on identity, history, social responsibility, and organizing tools grounded in an Islamic worldview.
Spring 2025 Session

📅 Sundays, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11
⏰ 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
🗺️ MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton

Let’s rise together and make a difference!
Hey Bay Area Muslim High Schoolers! This four-week interactive Spring social justice training program, hosted at MCC East Bay in Pleasanton, equips teens with tools to critically understand their world, effectively challenge injustice, and build legacies of positive change in our communities.
Lunch is included weekly in this empowerment training grounded in an optimistic Islamic worldview.
Watch past session recordings of the MGN ‘22 at mcceastbay.org/mgn
Sponsored by CAIR-SFBA & MCC East Bay. Please email programs@sfba.cair.com if you need the fee reduced or waived for financial reasons.
MGN is a social justice training program for Muslim high school students. It equips participants with the tools to critically understand their world, effectively challenge injustice, and build legacies of positive change in their communities. The program consists of weekly interactive sessions centered on themes of identity, history, social responsibility, and organizing tools, all grounded in an Islamic worldview.
The standard fee to become a member of the Muslim Gamechangers Network is $50, and payment must be received by the first day of the program to complete your registration. The MGN Membership fee helps us sustain this comprehensive empowerment project for our youth, including the cost of materials, staff time, and field trips.
Questions? programs@sfba.cair.com or events@mcceastbay.org

What to Expect
Over the weeks, you’ll be part of a powerful experience where you’ll explore your identity, grow your leadership skills, and build lasting friendships with like-minded changemakers from across the Bay Area.
Here’s everything you need to know for Session 1:
Date & Time

Sunday, April 20, 2025
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Please arrive by 1:45 PM for check-in
Pick-up: 5:00 PM

Location

MCC East Bay: 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA 94588

What to Bring
We’ll have your program booklet ready for you — no materials needed! Just come prepared to engage, reflect, and have fun. (Pro tip: bring a water bottle!)
What We’ll Be Covering
This session is all about privilege — what it means, how it shows up, and how we can recognize it in ourselves and others. Through activities like the Wheel of Privilege and the Tower of Power, we’ll reflect on social identity, power, and fairness — then come together for a group discussion to unpack it all.
Dinner
Halal dinner will be served. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions we should be aware of, please email us as soon as possible at Ismail Adam ismail.adam@cairsfba.givebutter-mail.com

College Prep Workshop | Reem Bilbeisi M.Ed.
2025-05-16 16:00 - 17:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Middle & Early High School Students & Parents: Get ready for the best college experience, inshaAllah. Join us for part one of a new series, where speakers will share myths and tips and show how smart moves now make a big difference later on. Reset your expectations for what you must do now, next year, and in the future!

This workshop’s guest speaker will be the Co-founder of Averroes High School, Reem Bilbeisi, M.Ed.

Friday, May 16 | 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | RSVP for in-person at mcceastbay.org/college-workshop or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

– More programs for teens: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/teens

Sponsored by Averroes High School & MCC East Bay.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

About the Speaker

Reem Bilbeisi has over 20 years of experience working as a teacher and leader in Education. She earned her Master’s and Administrative Credential from UC Berkeley in Principal Leadership. Before that, she entered education, receiving her credentials and degree in business and technology from Eastern Michigan University. Her passion for teaching began in high school when she felt her calling was to help youth improve education in schools in the Muslim American community. She has shown a passion for youth by leading youth mentor groups and events, and counseling many students early in her college years. She taught in public, charter, and private school settings. Reem has taught at both the high and middle school levels. She has served on WASC committees and is authorized in the following areas of service: superintendent, associate superintendent, deputy superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, dean, supervisor, consultant, and school coordinator. Reem served as the principal from 2011 to 2019 and is currently the director of programs responsible for academic curriculum, enrichment, and teacher professional development. She likes spending time with family, long walks, and traveling to new places.

Men on a Mission: Qur’an, Fitness, and the Seerah Way Summer Camp | Br. Haseeb Sadat and Ust. Fardin Osmani
2025-06-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-09 10:00 - 13:30, 2025-06-16 10:00 - 13:30, 2025-06-23 10:00 - 13:30, 2025-06-30 10:00 - 13:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Boys Ages 13–18: Br. Haseeb Sadat and Ustadh Fardin Osmani return with a four-week summer camp to strengthen young Muslim men’s faith, character, and strength (Futuwwa or the art of manliness).
This year, the focus is on building strength through the Seerah, the Qur’an, and physical training. Br. Haseeb will dive deep into the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, highlighting teenage-relevant lessons:

Standing up courageously for the truth
Controlling desires in a world full of temptations
Facing hardships with patience, resilience, and reliance on Allah
Leading by character, not just by words

Ustadh Fardin will guide students through reciting select Qur’anic ayat that speak to the teenage experience, while helping them improve their tajweed and strengthen their connection with the Qur’an.
Through meaningful discussions, Qur’anic reflection, and physical fitness activities, participants will strengthen their Islamic identity, develop self-discipline, and gain practical tools to live as proud and capable young Muslim men, insha’Allah.
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Details:
🗓 Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
📅 June 2 – July 3
📍 Conference Room, MCC East Bay
💵 $200/week
🔗 Register at mcceastbay.org/boys-camp
Please register separately for each week you wish to attend.
Schedule:

10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Qur’an
10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. – Interactive Tafseer
11:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Break
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Physical Fitness, Wrestling, and Boxing
12:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. – Seerah
1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Wudu and Dhur Salah

Materials:

All Academic Reading Material and Handouts will be provided

Notebook, pencils, highlighters

Boxing gloves are highly recommended

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Boys’ Summer Camp Activity Overview
The camp aims to nurture strong, faithful, and confident young Muslim men by engaging the heart, mind, and body. Below is what students can expect from their camp experience:
📖 Loving the Qur’an
With Ustadh Fardin, students will build a personal connection to the Qur’an through:

Tajweed instruction using visual aids and group recitation

Reflecting on selected ayat that speak to teenage struggles and aspirations

Interactive tafseer sessions where boys are encouraged to think, ask, and respond

Weekly memorization goals of short yet powerful passages to carry with them for life

🕋 Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
With Br. Haseeb, students will explore powerful, teenage-relevant lessons from the life of the Prophet ﷺ, including:

Courage and standing up for truth, even when alone

Restraint and purity in the face of temptation
Embracing hardship and sacrifice with patience and reliance on Allah

Building brotherhood, humility, and leadership through the Prophet’s example

Through storytelling, discussion, and reflection, boys will learn how to live the Seerah in today’s world.
🥊 Sports & Fitness
Led by Br. Haseeb, boys will get moving every day through:

Hands-on wrestling and boxing fundamentals

Calisthenics and bodyweight training

Team sports like basketball and handball foster discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship

Practical tips on nutrition, recovery, and self-care

💬 Teen Talks: Real Issues, Real Guidance
We create a safe and respectful space for open dialogue around real-world teenage challenges. Sessions will address:

Courage and integrity in the face of peer pressure

Controlling desires in a hyper-sexualized world

Opposite-gender boundaries, social media, music, and digital content

Mental strength, emotional resilience, and the Islamic approach to hardship

These conversations are guided with care, empathy, and an emphasis on prophetic character.
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This camp is more than just a summer program—it is an invitation to grow as young Muslim men who carry their deen with strength, sincerity, and purpose.
About Ustadh Haseeb:
Sidi Haseeb Sadat, a highly experienced professional committed to Muslim youth development, will co-host the camp. Haseeb has a rich educational background, having previously served as a vice principal of Granada Islamic School and a teacher at Northstar School. Furthermore, Haseeb brings his athletic expertise as a former Division I Wrestler at UC Davis. With his extensive experience working with Muslim youth, Haseeb is well-equipped to create a nurturing and educational environment for camp participants.
About Ustadh Fardin:
Ustadh Fardin Osmani is a Quran instructor for Furqan Academy. A hafiz of the Quran, Sidi Fardeen has a passion for Quranic sciences. He continues to pursue his studies with qualified teachers in Qira’at and Maqamaat. Currently, he is enrolled at the Institute of Knowledge Seminary.
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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
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Contemporary Public School Health Seminar For 8th & 9th Grade Muslim Students in Public High Schools
2025-09-20 10:30 - 13:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For 8th-10th Graders and Parents: Join us for a seminar to educate and empower Muslim youth on California-mandated health topics within a safe, respectful, and Islamically guided environment.
The seminar aims to fill a growing gap in values-based health education, addressing key issues such as mental wellness, sexual health, relationships, and personal safety—while preparing students to navigate public school health classes with clarity and confidence.
Saturday, Sep. 20 | 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | 8th-10th Graders & Parents | In-person only | $25/student | Register at mcceastbay.org/health-seminar | This event will not be recorded or livestreamed.
We will have breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Come early! This talk is open to those attending public or private schools.
Boys & Girls will have separate parallel sessions led by local doctors and teachers. Parallel sessions for parents on navigating the high school journey.
Co-sponsored by MCC East Bay & Averroes High School.
This seminar educates and empowers Muslim youth on California-mandated health topics in a safe, respectful, Islamically-guided setting to help navigate public school health classes confidently.
The topics we will cover inshaAllah are: heath, sexual education, relationships, and safety and wellness.
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attaining spiritual or educational knowledge within the four walls of the Muslim Community Center. For a financial waiver for this event, please email scholarship@mcceastbay.org.
Key takeaways you will gain from this session:

Youth will gain knowledge of key health topics through a faith-based framework.
They will be better prepared for the state health curriculum with values-aligned clarity.
They will feel supported by trusted adults in their physical, mental, and spiritual development.
The seminar will foster confidence, identity, and decision-making grounded in Islamic teachings.

What is being taught in public schools?

Sexual Health Education for California’s Youth (For High School & Community Settings) by Office of Adoscent Health (OAH) Evidence-Based Cirriculum
Sexual Health Education for America’s Youth for High School & Community Settings by Positive Prevention PLUS
CA He​althy Kids Resources Center​

About the Speakers
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
Qur’an Hodge is a Bay Area native. He began his Islamic education in 2019, studying Arabic at the Al Maqasid Seminary in Pennsylvania. Sidi Quran continued to Dar Al Mustafa, a Yemeni Islamic university in Tarim, Hadhramaut. At this Islamic seminary founded by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Sidi Qur’an studied Ibtidaiyya, Hadith, Aqida, Seerah, Nahw, Quran Hifzdh, Kitaba, and Tafseer in classical Arabic. Sidi Quran has completed certificates in Taleef Collective’s Refining the Core and Zaytuna College’s Permaculture Program. He is passionate about creatively working on community issues, particularly the challenges Muslim youth face. He lives with his wife and child in Castro Valley.
Dr. Sana Ali is a Family Medicine physician practicing in Dublin and San Ramon since 2019. She grew up in the East Bay. Went to UC Davis and then Western U for medical school and residency at a UC Davis-affiliated community hospital in Modesto. She practices pediatrics, family medicine, women’s health. Parents panel speakers:
Br. Karim Bayanzay is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Francisco, in the Department of Hospital Medicine, with a research focus on improving cancer care delivery in Afghanistan. Co-founder of Neurospinal Innovations, a medical device company focused on improving pain using wave therapy. I am also President of Averroes High School. I also founded “the study spot” tutoring and mentoring center for teens.
Dr. Gul Zahid is a board-certified pediatrician based in the Bay Area. She has trained and practiced in a variety of clinical settings, including academic centers and community clinics, with a focus on preventive medicine. She has a special interest in mental health, having completed additional training in the identification and management of mood and behavioral disorders in children and teens. Dr. Zahid is passionate about empowering families with knowledge and tools to support their children’s growth, both physically and emotionally.
Coach Faheem Rivers has over 25 years of experience working with youth. He is currently the principal at Averroes High School. He holds a degree in psychology, served as a Dean of Discipline, and is a passionate basketball coach. He has used sports to build resilience, teamwork, and discipline among young people.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Objective: To educate and empower Muslim youth on California-mandated health topics within a safe, respectful, and Islamically-guided environment. The seminar aims to fill a growing gap in values-based health education, addressing key issues such as mental wellness, sexual health, relationships, and personal safety—while preparing students to navigate public school health classes with clarity and confidence.

Concerns that may come up: We understand that there may be concerns about the explicit nature of some topics included in the California-mandated health curriculum. To address this in a thoughtful and responsible way, our proposed seminar will include a pediatrician who will verbally explain what students can expect to be taught in school, helping to prepare them for the material in an age-appropriate and respectful manner. Alongside this, our religious speaker will offer guidance on how students can navigate these topics at school while staying true to their Islamic values.

Expected Outcomes:

● Youth will gain knowledge of key health topics through a faith-based framework.
● They will be better prepared for state health curriculum with values-aligned clarity.
● They will feel supported by trusted adults in their physical, mental, and spiritual development.
● The seminar will foster confidence, identity, and decision-making grounded in Islamic teachings.

Why This Seminar Matters:
This seminar is designed to fill a gap in the community and offer our youth a faith-based foundation in understanding critical health topics that are often presented through a secular lens in public schools. Many of today’s societal challenges—ranging from emotional distress and substance abuse to broken relationships and identity confusion—are deeply rooted in issues related to sexual
health, gender relations, and the absence of values-based education.
By integrating California’s mandated health curriculum with Islamic teachings, this seminar aims to:

● Educate students on essential health topics in a way that honors their faith, identity, and values
● Mentor them through the complex issues of adolescence, equipping them with the tools to navigate peer pressure, social media, and conflicting societal norms
● Support their emotional, physical, and spiritual development with guidance from trusted professionals and scholars
● Prepare them for adulthood by instilling confidence, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility grounded in Islamic principles

Ultimately, this seminar serves as a healthier, values-driven alternative to the often distorted version of health education they encounter in secular classrooms. It empowers our youth to make informed, faith-aligned decisions that protect their well-being and uphold their Islamic identity as they grow into responsible, God-conscious adults.

Event Schedule

10:30 – 10:50(20 min) Sr. Hosai
10:50– 11:20 (30 min) Breakout Girls – Sr. Sana & Boys only session – Ustadha Hosai
11:20 – 12:00p.m (40 min) Girls rejoin

Boys session- Br. Karim
Girls session – Sr. Hosai

12:00 – 12:15 (15 min) Stretch break and settle in
12:15- 1:15 (1 hr) Ustadh Quran
1:15- 1:30 (15 min) Q&A with Ustadh Quran with closing dua

Title: High school Health Class

Date: August 30th ( Tentative )
Audience: 8 & 9th Grade Students

Note: While the seminar is designed as a pre-requsite for 9th grade public school class, we believe that all high schoolers can benefit from its content as it’ll provide a safe space for our youth to ask questions and gain clarity.

Seminar Objective:
To educate and empower Muslim youth on California-mandated health topics taught in 9th grade within a safe, respectful, and Islamically-guided environment. This seminar is designed to fill a gap in the community and offer our youth a faith-based foundation in understanding critical health topics that are often presented through a secular lens in public schools. We will address key issues such as mental wellness, sexual health, relationships, and personal safety.
This seminar prepares youth to navigate public school health class with clarity and confidence while empowering them to make informed, faith-aligned decisions as they grow into responsible, God-conscious adults.
NOTE: Separate seminar for boys and girls.

*Canceled* Breaking Down the UC Application (For High School Students) | MTC Berkeley
2025-09-26 16:00 - 17:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
*Canceled*
After the Friday teen Jumu’ah ends at 4 p.m., join us for a college admission workshop for high school students led by a panel of UC Berkeley students across all disciplines of study with the Muslim Tech Collaborative at Berkeley. Discover their experiences and challenges as they navigate their respective fields.
We will review the UC admissions process, application essay writing strategies, and resources you need to succeed in your career path.
We will have a panelist Q&A afterward, so come prepared to ask questions! Students and parents are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.
Friday, Sept. 26 | 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | Join in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live | RSVP at mcceastbay.org/admission
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

It’s that time of year—college applications are open, and we’re here to help!

Join us for a College Admissions Workshop for high school students, led by a panel of UC Berkeley students across all disciplines, in collaboration with the Muslim Tech Collaborative at Berkeley. Hear about their experiences and challenges as they navigate their fields.

We’ll cover the UC admissions process, application essay strategies, and essential resources to help you succeed in your career path. Stick around for the panel Q&A —come ready with your questions!

Students and parents are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

About the Muslim Tech Collaborative: Founded in January 2023 in Berkeley, CA, MTC is a national organization dedicated to building technical projects that solve real-world problems, educating the youth with the technical skills of tomorrow, and advancing Muslims’ careers with our professional and entrepreneurial resources. We’re focused on generating tangible, positive impacts on the communities around us. Learn more about us at muslimtech.org.

Career Panel for Teens (After Jumu'ah)
2025-10-24 16:00 - 17:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
In our ongoing series to help teens find their career path, this month, we hear from a family therapist, a tech leader, a chemical engineer, and an internal medicine doctor. We meet over pizza and snacks right after the weekly teen Jumu’ah!
After the Friday youth Jumu’ah ends at 4 p.m., please join us for a great career panel to learn about possible careers and get advice, tips, and resources to help you prepare for your future.
4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (right after weekly teen Jumu’ah ends) | Friday, October 24, 2025 | MCC Conference Room | Join in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Whatever your plans after high school, our panel speakers will have something for you! Pizza and snacks will be provided, so join us and come with interest, questions, and a friend. Also, hear from professionals in various careers about what living your faith out in the workplace looks like. Parents and adults are also welcome to join.
This career panel, moderated by a high schooler, aims to inspire our youth and allow them to interact with professionals in various career areas, like doctors, data scientists, engineers, and more! You will hear professionals answer questions about their skills, opportunities, and what excites them about their job—plenty of time for Q&A.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Panelist biographies
Maham Bawaney has a bachelors degree in Data Science and Economics and is a Product Manager at Adobe on their internalecosystem of data management tools. Her role involves strategizing for long term product initiatives while bridging gaps between teams who are building and utilizing internal products. Outside of tech, she has several years of experience with Nonprofit Project Management and entrepreneurship.
Sr. Sheeba Fatima leads a team of expert problem solvers (Product Support Managers) at Google. She helps major companies all over the world make their online and offline payment systems work smoothly, which includes supporting partners who use products like Google Pay and Wallet. She is passionate about two things simplifying complex technical integrations and as a manager, helping her team members learn and grow in their careers.

Santi Chrisanti has a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering and over 15 years of experience in different industries. She is currently leading a team of chemists, materials, and chemical engineers in one of the largest multinational biotech companies. Her team is developing next-generation sequencing technologies. She is broadening her skillset by doing an internal internship in competitive market analysis while also completing a graduate certificate in organization behavior from Harvard extension university.She is blessed with a very patient Quran teacher.

Saba Usmani is a digital marketing analytics leader with over ten years of experience in marketing strategies, executing experimentation, data science, and customer insights in the financial and retail industries. With a computer science and management science education, she transitioned from a career in software development to analytics. She helps business teams utilize prediction models and make data-driven decisions.

Sister Farheen is a California-licensed structural engineer currently working as senior plan review engineer for various Jurisdictions. She holds a Master’s degree in Structural Earthquake Engineering from the State University of New York. She has 10 years of experience as a structural design engineer prior to plan review., Currently, she serves as a Senior Plan Review Engineer, where she reviews plans submitted to the Building Department for permit applications. Her responsibilities include ensuring architectural, structural, and accessibility compliance with current building standards, including California building codes. The primary goal of her work is to ensure structural safety, fire safety, and accessibility compliance of submitted plans prior to issuance of building permits by city.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Friday Night Teen High School Halaqa | Sidi Quran Hodge
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-31 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-28 19:00 - 21:00
Join Ustadh Quran Hodge for weekly Friday evening basketball & halaqa sessions for teen high school boys from 9th through 12th grade.
These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident, faithful Muslim men. These halaqas are for high school boys only—no younger boys are allowed. Each session is capped at 30 teens. Once limited spots are full, please kindly join the waitlist.
The first hour is physical activity in the gym (basketball, flag football, or soccer), and the latter hour is pizza and a teen halaqa with Sidi Quran.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | October 24, 2025, to May 22, 2026 (with a break in Ramadan 2026) | $400/person | Hart Middle School | Register at mcceastbay.org/boys
The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never prevent a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any MCC offering. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship
Coach Amir Rashad also leads a Friday Night Elementary & Middle School Boys Halaqa & Hangout:
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Location of Friday evening sessions for high school boys in ‘25 and ‘26:

– October 24, 2025, at Dublin High School
– October 31, 2025, at Dublin High School
– November 7, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 14, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 21, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 28, 2024 (no session)
– December 5, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 12, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 19, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 26, 2024 (no session)
– January 2, 2025 (no session)
– January 9, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 16, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 23, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 30, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 6, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 13, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 20, 2026 (no season in Ramadan)
– February 27, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)– March 6, 2026 (no session)
– March 13, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 20, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 27, 2025 (no session)
– April 3, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 10, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 17, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 24, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 1, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 8, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 15, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 22, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton

About Sidi Quran
Qur’an Hodge is a Bay Area native. He began his Islamic education in 2019, studying Arabic at the Al Maqasid Seminary in Pennsylvania. Sidi Quran continued to Dar Al Mustafa, a Yemeni Islamic university in Tarim, Hadhramaut. At this Islamic seminary founded by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Sidi Qur’an studied Ibtidaiyya, Hadith, Aqida, Seerah, Nahw, Quran Hifzdh, Kitaba, and Tafseer in classical Arabic.
Sidi Quran has completed certificates in Taleef Collective’s Refining the Core and Zaytuna College’s Permaculture Program. He is passionate about creatively addressing community issues, particularly the challenges that Muslim youth face. He lives with his wife and child in Castro Valley.

– More Quran Hodge: https://mcceastbay.org/quran-hodge

Friday Night Teen High School Halaqa | Sidi Quran Hodge
2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-28 19:00 - 21:00
Join Ustadh Quran Hodge for weekly Friday evening basketball & halaqa sessions for teen high school boys from 9th through 12th grade.
These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident, faithful Muslim men. These halaqas are for high school boys only—no younger boys are allowed. Each session is capped at 30 teens. Once limited spots are full, please kindly join the waitlist.
The first hour is physical activity in the gym (basketball, flag football, or soccer), and the latter hour is pizza and a teen halaqa with Sidi Quran.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | October 24, 2025, to May 22, 2026 (with a break in Ramadan 2026) | $400/person | Register at mcceastbay.org/boys
The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Location of Friday evening sessions for high school boys in ‘25 and ‘26:

– October 24, 2025, at Dublin High School
– October 31, 2025, at Dublin High School
– November 7, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 14, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 21, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 28, 2024 (no session)
– December 5, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 12, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 19, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 26, 2024 (no session)
– January 2, 2025 (no session)
– January 9, 2026, at location TBA
– January 16, 2026, at location TBA
– January 23, 2026, at location TBA
– January 30, 2026, at location TBA
– February 6, 2026, at location TBA
– February 13, 2026, at location TBA

– February 20, 2026 (no season in Ramadan)

– February 27, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)– March 6, 2026 (no session)
– March 13, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 20, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 27, 2025 (no session) at location TBA
– April 3, 2026, at location TBA
– April 10, 2026, at location TBA
– April 17, 2026, at location TBA
– April 24, 2026, at location TBA
– May 1, 2026, at location TBA
– May 8, 2026, at location TBA
– May 15, 2026, at location TBA
– May 22, 2026, at location TBA

About Sidi Quran
Qur’an Hodge is a Bay Area native. He began his Islamic education in 2019, studying Arabic at the Al Maqasid Seminary in Pennsylvania. Sidi Quran continued to Dar Al Mustafa, a Yemeni Islamic university in Tarim, Hadhramaut. At this Islamic seminary founded by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Sidi Qur’an studied Ibtidaiyya, Hadith, Aqida, Seerah, Nahw, Quran Hifzdh, Kitaba, and Tafseer in classical Arabic.
Sidi Quran has completed certificates in Taleef Collective’s Refining the Core and Zaytuna College’s Permaculture Program. He is passionate about creatively working on community issues, particularly the challenges Muslim youth face. He lives with his wife and child in Castro Valley.

– More Quran Hodge: https://mcceastbay.org/quran-hodge
