MCC East Bay

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (in-person & virtual) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2025-08-25 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-09-01 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.

Private Event
2025-08-27 14:00 - 20:00 | CA
MCC Conference Room

Secrets of Divine Love – Men’s Book Club
2025-08-27 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-09-03 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-09-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-09-17 18:30 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us for a weekly book club and discussion group as we collectively strive to mindfully open our hearts to Allah’s love for us and our love for Allah. We will read and reflect on A. Helwa’s internationally acclaimed book, Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam (Studying Qur’an & Hadith).
Each session will cover one chapter, including group discussions, reflections, and selected exercises from the book.
The first session will be abridged, focusing on the Introduction and the “Reading with an Open Heart” preface. It will also set the stage for the remainder of the series for those planning to attend most or all sessions.
While we encourage consistent attendance for the benefit of shared reflection and continuity, each session is self-contained, and participants are welcome to drop in even if they cannot commit to every week. Sidi Mohammed Kaddoura facilitates this group.
Starts May 14 | Wednesdays | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Conference Room | In-person only
Class Schedule (Download discussion guide)

Introduction & Reading with an Open Heart
May 14, 2025
Chapter 1 – Allah
May 21, 2025
Chapter 2 – Humanity
May 28, 2025
Chapter 3 – Qur’an
June 4, 2025
Chapter 4 – Islam / Iman / Ihsan
June 11, 2025
Chapter 5 – Tawba
June 18, 2025
Chapter 6 – Shahadah
June 25, 2025
Chapter 7 – Salat
July 2, 2025
Chapter 8 – Zakat
July 9, 2025
Chapter 9 – Ramadan
July 16, 2025
Chapter 10 – Hajj
July 23, 2025
Chapter 11 – Death
July 30, 2025
Chapter 12 – Heaven and Hell
August 6, 2025
Conclusion
August 13, 2025

Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not to teach deen. It is not a fiqh or aqidah class. The book contains various concepts and references that may not align with traditional Islamic scholarship.
If you have any questions about what scholars say regarding a topic discussed in the book or during the sessions, we strongly recommend consulting a scholar you know and trust. You may also forward your question to the organizers so we can seek guidance from a qualified scholar and share it with the group.
We approach the book’s abstract ideas as thought experiments and the exercises as opportunities for spiritual reflection, not as a substitute for traditional Islamic scholarship.
Discussion Group Guidelines

Everyone has something to say; everyone has something to learn.
Shy participants are encouraged to contribute.
Talkative participants are encouraged to listen more.
Confidentiality is essential.
Do not share other participants’ reflections outside the group. It’s okay to say, “someone in my book club made me think about…” but not “so-and-so said…”
Give 70 excuses.
Assume good intentions. If disagreements arise, remember our shared goal is growth. We leave differences in the room and continue with brotherhood outside of it.
Maintain emotional awareness.
The topics we discuss may evoke strong emotions. All participants are expected to remain calm, respectful, and emotionally intelligent. Please avoid getting carried away in conversation. Proper etiquette is required at all times.

Book Purchase
Please purchase the book in advance if you want to follow along. Available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Divine-Love-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1734231203
Audiobook voiced by the author also available.
About the Book
Secrets of Divine Love was written for the longing heart, searching for meaning, hope, or healing. It is for anyone who has felt distant from God or overwhelmed by their imperfections.
This book serves as a guide back to divine peace and surrender. Through the practices and pillars of Islam, A. Helwa invites readers to unlock their spiritual potential and deepen their relationship with Allah. Blending Qur’an verses, Hadith, poetry, psychology, science, and mystical stories, the book offers a heart-based yet intellectually grounded approach to spiritual growth.

Author: A. Helwa
Paperback: 385 pages
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Naulit Publishing House

About the Author
Helwa believes the Divine deeply loves every person. Her popular blog, @quranquotesdaily, began as a personal effort during her Master of Divinity studies and has grown to inspire hundreds of thousands. With over 15 years of experience in Islamic spirituality and writing, she combines traditional sources and personal insight to help readers connect to Divine love in everyday life.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Mommy and Me Fall '25 Session | MCC's Mommy & Me Program
2025-08-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
In this eight-week session, our toddlers and pre-schoolers (ages 1-5) will develop love for Islam, Allah (swt), and RasulAllah (saw) through book reading, sing-alongs, Parachute Time, activities, and more!
Thursdays: 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04, 09/11, 09/18, 09/25, 10/02, and Saturday, 09/06 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Conference Room | $120 for all 8 sessions, or $75 for 5 sessions, or $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

*Rescheduled* Attorneys @ Jumu'ah: Free Legal Clinic
2025-08-29 13:30 - 15:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
*Rescheduled*
During the third and fourth Jumu’ah services at MCC, Legal Attorney Erum Choudhry will be providing a free fifteen-minute consultation in the following areas:

Islamic Estate Planning
Immigration: Family-based, employment-based, Citizenship
Bankruptcy: Chapters 7 and 13

Appointments are required to receive a free consultation. No walk-ins will be allowed. Please sign up at mcceastbay.org/legal-clinic
Third Fridays of Each Month | 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | MCC Religious Office (first office next to women’s lounge) | Appointment required (no walk-ins); RSVP at mcceastbay.org/legal-clinic
MCC will hold legal clinics on the following days:

2025:

January 17, 2025
Apr 18, 2025
May 23, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
Oct 17, 2025
Nov 21, 2025
Dec 19, 2025

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Erum Choudhry has more than ten years of legal experience. She graduated from Cornell Law School in 2002. She served as a senior attorney/associate with boutique law firms in Silicon Valley and well-established law firms in Northern California. She counsels clients from individuals, families, and startups to Fortune 500 companies, major hospitals, and multinational corporations.
She is committed to helping each client with a personalized solution. She is well equipped with the tools like experience, staff, empathy, and compassion to help communities grapple with boom-bust challenges, whether immigration, bankruptcy, or estate planning matters. She picked these areas of practice because these areas of law allow her to understand her clients, serve the community, and help them enjoy a stress-free life.
She enjoys interacting with her clients and audience. She is a frequent speaker at local community and youth events. She provides pro bono services to underprivileged community members and works with local nonprofit organizations to help immigrants.

Maitri Bay Area Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2025-08-29 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Maitri is a free, conﬁdential, nonproﬁt organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families and individuals from South Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, or family conﬂict.

Visit their table for more information on their free client-based and community programs, including housing, legal advocacy, economic empowerment, outreach and prevention, policy advocacy, and volunteer engagement.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Rosewood
2025-08-29 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For MCC’s four Jumu’ah services on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025:

1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Shaykh Talal Ahdab delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.

Hafiz Yaseen Mahmood delivers this sermon at Rosewood Conference Center, 4450 Rosewood Dr., Pleasanton

2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Hafiz Yaseen Mahmood delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m.

TBA delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

*Please attend at 2:30 or 3:40 p.m. at MCC to avoid heavier first-service congestion whenever possible, or please attend the off-site MCC Jumu’ah service, that is, each week at the Rosewood Commons, 4450 Rosewood Dr (Building 5)., Pleasanton. Rosewood is just a four-minute drive from MCC.

Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. Please come to the third or fourth Jumuah at MCC to ease up parking congestion or, better yet, attend our weekly parallel satellite prayer from 1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. at Rosewood Center (Building 5): https://mcceastbay.org/rosewood

– Virtually watch the three MCC sermons from home: https://mcceastbay.org/live
– More Shaykh Talal: http://mcceastbay.org/talal
– More Hafiz Yaseen: http://mcceastbay.org/yaseen

For parents attending with young children indoors at the main MCC facility, we offer private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to the Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while working with other parents and young children. The mothers’ and fathers’ prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The "Raising Trailblazers" Parenting Workshop | Fouzia Usman
2025-08-29 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us for a transformative parenting workshop led by Fouzia Usman, founder of Muslim Nation Builders, where parents will discover research-backed strategies to help their children develop a strong, positive Muslim identity and embrace their place in the global Ummah.
The “Raising Trailblazers” workshop by Muslim Nation Builders addresses one of the most critical challenges facing Muslim families today: raising children who genuinely love and embrace their Islamic identity rather than seeing it as a burden or source of difference. Following the workshop, we will hold a Q&A session.
Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | Join in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Parents: Please ask your child to complete this survey prior to the event. We will have dinner for sale during the Family Night.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
This workshop addresses the reality that our children are constantly exposed to images of Muslim suffering globally, leading many to internalize that Muslims are weak or oppressed, despite the historical fact that Muslims were superpowers 85% of the time from the Prophet ﷺ until now. It tackles the modern challenges of raising children who feel proud of their Islamic heritage, offering strategies to transform their identity from feeling like a “minority” to embracing their strength as part of the global Muslim Ummah.
The workshop includes practical advice and activities for families using The Three Framework:

Compassion Before Correction (following the prophetic model)
Identity Through Experience (why children must feel their Islamic heritage, not just learn about it)
Understanding Critical Timing (the developmental window for identity formation).

Parents will learn practical implementation through Character Development via Service, Confidence Building via History, and Community Building via Shared Experiences.
Purpose: To empower parents with evidence-based insights and tools to move beyond conventional “correction-focused” parenting and create lasting identity transformation. To help parents foster an environment where Islamic values are not just taught but experienced, developing children who see their Muslim identity as a source of strength and pride.
What makes it unique? MNB workshops are specially curated to combine Islamic principles with child development research, offering valuable and practical advice to participants. The “Raising Trailblazers” approach stands out by addressing why traditional methods—Islamic schools, weekend programs, lectures—while valuable, often fail to create the deep identity connection our children need. It provides research-backed alternatives that honor both Islamic principles and modern understanding of child development.
It helps lay a foundation to:

Raise children who genuinely love their Islamic identity
Move beyond correction-focused parenting to identity-building approaches
Engage children in meaningful service that strengthens character and Islamic connection
Build confidence through understanding Muslim historical achievements and legacy
Create community connections with like-minded Muslim families
Understand the critical developmental windows for identity formation
Create family cultures where Islamic identity is a source of strength and pride
Build the next generation of Muslim trailblazers who embrace their place in the Ummah

When raising children with a strong Islamic identity, the active participation of both parents is paramount. Attending parenting workshops fosters a united front, ensuring that both mother and father are aligned in their approach to their children’s identity development. It promotes consistent identity-building practices, strengthens the family bond, and underscores the significance of collaboration and mutual support. Just like mothers, fathers play a crucial role in their children’s spiritual and cultural identity formation. By attending the workshop together, parents can provide each other with better support and create a nurturing environment where children thrive in their Islamic identity.
About Fouzia Usman:
Fouzia Usman is a passionate entrepreneur, mother of three, software engineer, and the founder of Ummah Stars and Muslim Nation Builders. Her innovative work in raising Muslim children who excel in both Deen and Dunya was selected among many submissions to be presented at the Prophetic Strategy Summit in Malaysia, where she shared her insights with a global audience of Muslim leaders and educators.
She is a TEDx speaker, published writer (https://muslimmatters.org/2023/05/06/trip-to-turkey/), Certified High Performance Coach (CHPC), certified NLP practitioner, and Positive Discipline Parent Educator. With over 20 years in corporate software engineering, she brings a unique perspective that combines practical methodology with Islamic principles to address modern parenting challenges.
As an ardent visionary, Fouzia has personally guided families through identity-strengthening experiences in Turkey and beyond through her transformative platform, Muslim Nation Builders. She aims to positively impact Muslim families worldwide by helping parents raise children who practice the deen with passion and conviction. Her work is a testament to how one person’s vision and dedication can create a profound impact in the global Muslim community.
For more information, please visit Muslim Nation Builders at https://www.muslimnationbuilders.com
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

– More Islamic parenting workshops: http://mcceastbay.org/parenting
– More talks & lectures about Islamic Homeschooling: http://mcceastbay.org/homeschool
– More Islamic marriage talks & workshops: http://mcceastbay.org/marriage
– More sessions for Muslim teenagers: http://mcceastbay.org/teens
– More sessions for young Muslim children: http://mcceastbay.org/children
– More “My Parents Just Don’t Understand” Series: http://mcceastbay.org/parent-teen

Join us to learn:

Enhanced Parent-Child Relationships: Parents will leave with concrete strategies to foster deeper emotional connections with their children, laying the foundation for effective guidance and influence.
Paradigm Shift in Parenting Approach: Families will understand the difference between “correction-first” and “compassion-first” parenting, learning practical ways to implement the prophetic model in daily interactions.
Clear Action Plan: Each parent will identify specific steps to create identity-strengthening experiences for their children, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical implementation.
This workshop serves as a catalyst for parents who sense their current approaches aren’t entirely practical but haven’t known what to do differently. It bridges the gap between loving our children deeply and guiding them effectively toward a strong Islamic identity in an increasingly challenging environment.

Monthly Sisters' Mawlid
2025-08-30 11:00 - 13:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Sisters: Join us monthly for sisters’ Mawlid for a gathering of remembrance and Dhikr.
Connect more with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as we gather on the fourth Saturday of each month in remembrance and dhikr.
Every fourth Saturday (except for May & Aug ’25) | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Pre-K room | In-person only | Free; no RSVP required

Sisters and children welcome. No boys over the age of eight are allowed.
Dates for Monthly Women’s Mawlid at MCC East Bay

– Saturday, November 23, 2024
– Saturday, December 28, 2024
– Saturday, January 25, 2025
– Saturday, February 22, 2025
– No session in Ramadan in March ’25
– Saturday, April 26, 2025
– Saturday, May 31, 2025 (date changed due to Memorial Day weekend)
– Saturday, June 28, 2025
-Saturday, July 26, 2025
-Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The Mawlid is a joyous expression of the greatest blessing from Allah.
We take this blessed opportunity monthly to remind ourselves of the three sacred rights that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires from us, instilling in us a deep sense of respect and reverence.

– Marifah – Recognizing who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is
– Muhabbah – Loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
– Ittiba’ – Obedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

The second two (loving and obeying) are not entirely possible without genuinely recognizing the first – who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was. This recognition enlightens us and deepens our knowledge of his teachings.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Rosewood
2025-09-05 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For MCC’s four Jumu’ah services on Friday, Sep. 5, 2025:

1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Shaykh Rami Nsour delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.

TBA delivers this sermon at Rosewood Conference Center, 4450 Rosewood Dr., Pleasanton

2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Ustadh Mohammed Abdul Baseer delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Hafiz Abdullah Ayyaz delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

*Please attend at 2:30 or 3:40 p.m. at MCC to avoid heavier first-service congestion whenever possible, or please attend the off-site MCC Jumu’ah service, that is, each week at the Rosewood Commons, 4450 Rosewood Dr (Building 5)., Pleasanton. Rosewood is just a four-minute drive from MCC.

Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. Please come to the third or fourth Jumuah at MCC to ease up parking congestion or, better yet, attend our weekly parallel satellite prayer from 1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. at Rosewood Center (Building 5): https://mcceastbay.org/rosewood

– Virtually watch the three MCC sermons from home: https://mcceastbay.org/live
– More Shaykh Rami: http://mcceastbay.org/rami
– More Ustadh Abdul Baseer: http://mcceastbay.org/mohammed
– More Hafiz Abdullah: http://mcceastbay.org/abdullah-ayyaz

For parents attending with young children indoors at the main MCC facility, we offer private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to the Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while working with other parents and young children. The mothers’ and fathers’ prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Rabi’ Al-Awwal Mawlid: Hareesun Alaikum - حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم ﷺ
2025-09-05 18:00 - 22:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
﻿

The East Bay Annual Mawlid features talks and recitations (Nasheeds) with the theme “Hareesun Alaikum- حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم ﷺ.”
We will have talks, counsels, and recitations (Nasheeds) about “The Guiding Light: Muhammad ﷺ” with Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie, Shaykh Faraz Khan, Sidi Mahdy Amine, Qari Amar Bellaha, Ustadh Tarif Arabi, and Bay Area Munshids. Sidi Syed Mubeen Saifullah will be the MCC for the evening.
6 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. | Friday, September 5 | MCC Prayer Hall | No RSVP needed to join post-Maghrib Mawlid program (only for pre-Mawlid dinner (capped at 600 guests & babysitting) | Join in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, Islamic Center of Livermore, Ta’leef Collective & MCC East Bay proudly present this Rabbi’al Awwal Annual Mawlid.
Program Schedule

6 p.m. – Asr congregational prayer
6:10 p.m. – Burda Shareef with Ustadh Tarif Arabi (Prayer Hall)
6:30 p.m. – Dinner service begins (men in Sunday School parking lot and women in Conference Room/Kindergarten area)
7:22 p.m. – Maghrib prayer, congregational prayer
8 p.m. – Qur’an Recitation (Qari Amar Bellaha), Talk (Ammu Tarif), Nasheeds (Sidi Mahdy Amine and team) (no RSVP needed to join this pre-Mawlid program)
9:15 p.m. – Isha congregational prayer
9:25 p.m. – Talk/presentation (TBA) (no RSVP required to join this main Mawlid program)
10 p.m. – Talk (TBA)
10:45 p.m. – Qur’an recitation and closing dua by Qari Amar Bellaha

This is a family-friendly event. Bring the entire family. Complimentary babysitting during the Mawlid program begins at 8 p.m., and goodie bags will be given to all kids at the end of the event. RSVP for the main program complimentary babysitting at mcceastbay.org/mawlid-babysitting
“Hareesun Alaikum” is a phrase from the Quran, specifically verse 9:128 of Surat At-Tawbah (The Repentance). It translates to “most eager is he for your (welfare)” or “most solicitous is he for you”. The full verse, often recited in Arabic, speaks of Prophet Muhammad’s deep concern for the well-being of believers.
The Tri-Valley Annual Mawlid ’25 coincides with the weekend of 12th Rabi ul Awwal 1447.

– Watch YouTube Livestream: https://mcceastbay.org/live
– Watch Facebook Livestream: https://mcceastbay.org/facebook
– Watch past Mawlid celebrations hosted at MCC: https://mcceastbay.org/mawlid
– More Dr. Ali Ataie: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/ali
– More Shaykh Faraz: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/faraz
– More Sidi Mubeen: https://mcceastbay.org/syed
– More Sidi Mahdy: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/mahdy
– More Qari Amar: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/amar
– More Sidi Tareef: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/tarif

Come soak in the sublime fragrance of our Beloved Nabi ﷺ. This is a celebration dedicated to falling in love with him ﷺ.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The Mawlid is a joyous expression of the greatest blessing from Allah.
Mawlid (or Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif) is the observance of the birth of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is commemorated in Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.

– Past Tri-Valley and East Bay Al-Mawlid al-Nabawi Celebrations: https://mcceastbay.org/mawlid
– More about celebrating the Prophet (peace be upon him)’s day of birth: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/innovation-bida-and-celebrating-the-prophets-birthday-mawlid
– In Defense of the Mawlid – Shaykh Abu Nahla Al Wazani: https://mcceastbay.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/In-Defense-of-the-Mawlid-Shaykh-Abu-Nahla-Al-Wazani.pdf

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Shaykh Faraz Khan is a scholar of Ashʿarī and Maturidi philosophical theology with field specialties in Hanafi Jurisprudence, Prophetic Biography, Hadith, and Logic. At Zaytuna College, he has taught Kalam Theology, Creedal Theology, Prophetic Biography, Readings in Muslim Spirituality, and Logic in the Islamic Tradition. Shaykh Faraz also serves as the coordinator of the Honors Program, in which he has taught Kalam, Prophetic Biography, Logic, Tafsir, and Hadith. After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, he moved to Amman, Jordan, in 2004 and read classical texts with distinguished scholars in Ashʿarī and Māturīdī scholastic theology, Hanafi jurisprudence, prophetic narration, logic, and other religious sciences, receiving scholarly authorization (ijāza) after seven years of full-time study.
Ustadh Ali Ataie is a perennial student and researcher involved in interfaith activities for over two decades. He holds a Master’s in biblical studies, focusing on New Testament and biblical languages. He also holds a PhD in cultural and historical religious studies from the Graduate Theological Union. His doctoral work focused on Muslim hermeneutics of biblical texts, especially the Gospel of John. He lives in San Ramon, CA, with his wife, Roya, and three daughters. Learn more about him at https://zaytuna.edu/academics/faculty/ali-ataie
Raised in Morocco, Qari Amar Bellaha memorized the Qur’an at 17 from Madrasat Imam Nafia. He has ijaza for the Hafs and Warsh forms of Qur’anic recitation. In 1994 and 1995, he was awarded top prizes in the National Moroccan Tajweed competition. He is recognized internationally for his recitation’s beauty, clarity, and excellence, and is one of the Bay Area’s foremost Qur’an teachers. Hafiz Amar leads MCC’s Taraweeh prayers each Ramadan.
Amu Tareef is an international scholar who studied traditional Islamic Sciences at Al-Fath Institute, al-Azhar branch in Syria. Affectionately known to the community as ‘Ammu (or Uncle), he was born and reared in Damascus, Syria. His teachers include Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghuri, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa al-Khin, and Shaykh Dr. Samer al-Nass.

Shamail Muhammadiya ﷺ | The Rahmah Foundation & Nur al-Iman
2025-09-06 11:00 - 19:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Sisters Ages 14+! Join Ustadha Eiman Sidky, Ustadha Mona Elzankaly, and Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed to explore the Shamā’il Muḥammadiyya—the timeless collection of narrations describing the noble character, appearance, and daily life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Come with an open heart and leave with renewed love for the Prophet ﷺ and practical lessons to live by.
Saturday, Sep. 6 | 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (PST) | MCC Conference Room | Women & Girls Ages 14+ | In-person & Online (no video of speakers will be shown) | Register at mcceastbay.org/shamail
No babysitting option | Pre-paid lunch provided in the Banquet Hall. Coffee and tea will be served.
The event will not be publicly live-streamed. A link to view the live-stream will be emailed an hour before the event.
The Rahmah Foundation, Nur al-Iman, and MCC East Bay are sponsors for this event.

– More videos in collaboration with Rahmah Foundation: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/rahmah-foundation

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Ustadha Eiman Sidky
Actively engaged in propagating Islam and educating Muslims in the United States for the past 15 years, Ustadha Eiman Sidky is loved by all those who meet her and has an amazing way of instilling the love of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the hearts. She has studied under Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Ali Aljifri and the Haba’ib of Tarim. For twenty years, she taught Qur’an and Islamic Studies at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. She continues to teach Seerah and Qur’anic tafseer classes both in the United States and in Egypt.
Ustadha Mona Elzankaly
Born in Cairo, Egypt, and raised in Southern California, Ustadha Mona Elzankaly graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics in 1994.
In 1998, Ustadha Mona began seeking sacred knowledge at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, CA. She later traveled internationally, seeking sacred knowledge. She has studied under many eminent scholars, such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Khatri, and Shaykh Abd Allah. Bayyah, Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, Shaykh Salik b. Siddina, Imam Zaid Shakir, Habib Umar b. Hafiz, Habib Ali al-Jifri, and other scholars from Syria, Yemen, and Egypt.
Ustadha Mona obtained different Ijaazahs in Tajwid and books of hadith, Aqidah, and Maliki Fiqh. In 2008, she completed the four-year Zaytuna Seminary pilot program and received a baccalaureate in Islamic Studies. In 2014, she completed a four-year Islamic Shari’a program at al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.
Ustadha Mona began teaching in 2002, both privately and publicly. She has taught for Zaytuna Institute, Sisters Deen Intensive, Dar al-Zahra Tarim Yemen, The Rahmah Foundation, and Meadows of al-Mustafa. She currently teaches an Islamic studies program for ladies at Nur al-Iman.
Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
Born and raised in California’s Central Valley, Shamira Chothia Ahmed is passionate about educating and empowering Muslim women to reach their highest spiritual potential through acquiring sacred knowledge.
Having graduated as valedictorian from a large public high school, her studies led her — following a brief soul-searching stint at Georgetown University — to seek sacred knowledge from scholars on three continents — Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Ustadha Shamira began her journey in seeking sacred knowledge at the women’s Dar-ul-Uloom Mu’eenal Islam seminary in South Africa, and completed the five-year intensive ‘alima program at Ja’mia Al-Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, one of Britain’s first and most renowned Islamic universities for women. Thereafter, she continued her Arabic and Qur’anic studies in Damascus, Syria, where she obtained an ijāzah in Tajwīd of the Ḥafṣ recitation from the late eminent Syrian scholar Shaykh Ḥasan al-Kurdī.
In 2005, Ustadha Shamira taught Hanafi fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute in California and since then, has taught various Islamic sciences in venues across North America. In 2008, she earned a Master’s Degree in Demographics and Social Analysis from the University of California at Irvine, focusing on the identity formation of the Muslim-American population.
In 2013, Ustadha Shamira specialized in the detailed rulings of menstruation, lochia, and abnormal discharge under the direction of Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf Mangera and assisted in compiling Imam Abu Hanifa’s Al-Fiqh al-Akbar Explained.
As a wife and mother of five children, Shamira has a passion for empowering women in their childbearing years to gain closeness to their Lord through her spiritual birth consultations and virtual doula services.
Ustadha Shamira is a co-founder of the Rahmah Foundation and currently teaches for Nur al-Iman, a full-time girls’ shariah program with Ustadha Mona Elzankaly based in the Bay Area.

Private Event
2025-09-06 11:45 - 14:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Prayer Hall

#TeamFajr Monthly Sunday Breakfast & Qur'an Khatam
2025-09-07 06:00 - 07:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
“If people knew the reward in praying Fajr & Isha in a congregation, they would go to the Masjid even if they had to crawl” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Join Qari Amar Bellaha on the first Sunday of each month. Pray the pre-dawn prayer in congregation (6 a.m.), followed by recitations of Surah Yaseen and Al-Wird Al-Latif (booklets provided) in unison, community dua, and following sunup, Salat al-Ishraq prayer in congregation. Qari Amar will also lead the Khatam (completion) of the Qur’an. Each month, congregation members complete one Juz of the Holy Qur’an. Please finish your Juz by the first Sunday of each month. Sign up for Juz at mcceastbay.org/juz This program is also streamed virtually at https://mcceastbay.org/live. 2025 Sunday Monthly Khatam with Qari Amar Bellaha:

– January 5, 2025
– February 2, 2025
– No TeamFajr in Ramadan
– April 6, 2025
– May 4, 2025
– June 1, 2025
– July 6, 2025
– August 3, 2025
– September 7, 2025
– October 5, 2025
– November 2, 2025
– December 7, 2025

There are numerous benefits and virtues of reciting the Holy Qur’an and sending Salawat upon Rasulullah (S). Along with bringing great barakah into our lives, these two acts of ‘ibadah are a means by which Allah elevates our rank in Jannah. Though it may be challenging to make a habit of tilawah (recitation) and Salawat individually, there is strength in our numbers. Join your MCC community in our goal of collectively completing a Qur’an khatam. Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

More Qari Amar: https://mcceastbay.org/amar
Imam al-Haddad’s litanies (al-Wird al-Latif): https://mcceastbay.org/wird
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “He who performs the Fajr will be under the protection of Allah.” [Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The best prayer before Allah is the Fajr prayer on Friday in the congregation.”

The Final Rites: Ghusl & Shroud Workshop (For Sisters & Brothers)
2025-09-07 14:00 - 15:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Would you know what to do if a loved one passed away?
Join parallel individual sessions for sisters & brothers in a step-by-step, practical session designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to carry out the final rites following the Qur’an and Sunnah. Hands-on workshop; ages 18+ only. No children, please.
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Sunday, September 7, 2025 | MCC Conference Room (women) & MCC Prayer Hall (men) | Free; no registration required
“He who washes a dead body and conceals what he notices of physical defects, he will be forgiven forty times.” [Al-Hakim]
This hands-on workshop includes a full live demonstration of the washing (ghusl) and shrouding process, allowing you to learn and ask questions in a supportive environment.
Rehana Markar facilitates the sisters’ workshop. Sidi Abdur Rehman facilitates the men’s workshop. Both are lead volunteers for body washing in the East Bay.
After the parallel workshops, you can sign up to prepare bodies for burial at the Islamic Society of East Bay’s morgue. These parallel and separate men’s and women’s workshops are conducted by experienced mortuary volunteers. This is an excellent opportunity for couples.
This workshop’s content and washing simulation are inappropriate for children and adults who are faint of heart.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

– MCC’s Islamic End of Life Talks Playlist: https://mcceastbay.org/end-of-life
– Islamic burial services in the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay: https://mcceastbay.org/funeral
– To volunteer with the ISEB Mortuary, (men) please get in touch with Brother Abdur Rehman at 2abdurrehman@gmail.com or (510) 366-5205
– To volunteer with the ISEB Mortuary, (women) please get in touch with Sister Rehana Markar at (510) 406-4652 or rehanamarkar@hotmail.com

“He who washes a dead body and conceals what he notices of physical defects, he will be forgiven forty times.” [Al-Hakim]
Topics covered in this workshop include:

– What to do when death occurs?
– Forms required by the State of California
– Order of preference for who is preferred to perform the ghusl on the deceased
– What should we do before we start the ghusl (body washing)?
– Preparing the kafan (shroud) and ghusl items (soap, warm water, camphor (powdered dry sidr leaves), cardboard box, etc.
– Preparing and cutting the kafan
– Preparing the body for washing and the process of washing the body
– Applying the shroud to the washed body
– What to do after shrouding the body?

We will describe how to perform the Islamic ceremonial process of washing and shrouding a deceased person (mayit) before Janaza and burial. Al-Mayyit (Arabic: الميت) is the term to refer to the deceased in Islam. There are prescribed burial rites to be given upon the death of a Muslim, including the salat al-mayyit, or “prayer of the dead.”
Abdur Rehman is a prolific volunteer who has volunteered to wash and shroud Muslims in the East Bay for more than a decade. A convert to Islam from Hinduism, he brings a unique understanding of the relationship to death and burial in both faith traditions.
At mosques, Br. Abdul Rahman demonstrates practical ghusl and shrouding in workshops and he encourages area Muslims to learn how to wash their loved ones. He volunteers with the Fremont-based Islamic Society of East Bay’s mortuary. The masjid is also known as the Lowry masjid. Muslim funerals in the East Bay are community affairs, and non-family members partake in several aspects of funerals, from jānazah prayers to burials. Community members are essential in conducting ghusl, a body-washing ritual on the deceased. In the ghusl ritual, the entire dead body is washed, which requires the helping hands of multiple people to lift and move the body around for washing. Muslim families often need outside assistance from the community to wash their deceased because they don’t have family members trained to perform it or are too emotional to perform it themselves. In such instances, volunteers step up to help families wash their deceased loved ones.
How Volunteers Become Involved
Many might be surprised to learn that anyone would volunteer to wash the dead body of a stranger.
Ethics of Washing
Washing the body of the dead requires an ethical approach. It is an act that should be carried out in a dignified and respectful manner, and we must avoid causing harm to the body. In addition to not harming the body, the ethical approach includes avoiding idle talk around the body, making prayers for the dead individual, and making sure that all the steps of the ghusl are correctly done. Under the pressure to finish washing the body in time for the burial.
Lessons from Volunteering (“He is down today, I am tomorrow.”)
The experience of washing during funerals does not simply remain in the wash facilities; instead, the volunteers carry lessons from the experience into their lives. Volunteers say that dealing with death has instilled them with humility. In remembering death while washing, it reminds us of the meaning in life: family, community, living a righteous life, and above all, worshiping her Creator.
Resources

MCC’s Islamic End of Life Talks Playlist
Islamic Will & Trust Templates: Version 1, Version 2, Version 3, Version 4
A Guide for the Muslim Funeral
Practical Ghusl and Shrouding
Islamic Estate Planning (video presentation)
The Islamic Perspective on End-of-Life Care (video presentation)
The Soul’s Journey After Death | Shaykh Alaeddin El Bakri
Resources from the TWO GODS Documentary Film
Five Wishes: Advanced Planning Guide
FAQ – Islamic Wills & Trusts
Noor Islamic & Cultural Community Center (NICCC) in Concord – Islamic Mortuary

Washing & Shrouding The Deceased Muslim
When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Two or three people may perform the washing. The person(s) who may wash the deceased should:

– Be a trustworthy and honest adult Muslim(s).
– Know the Islamic way of washing the dead and be able to carry out the washing.
– Do not make any comment on the body of the deceased.

Note

– If the deceased is a male, then ONLY males should wash him.
– If the deceased is a female, then ONLY females should wash her.
– For a married person, the spouse may perform the washing.
– For a child, either males or females may wash.

Place of washing

– The deceased’s body should be washed in a clean, secluded, and private place where clean water and soap are available. Gloves or pieces of cloth are needed. – The body of the deceased should be washed with water and, if available, lotus leaves or camphor (To be used in the final wash). – The washing should be done three or five, or any odd number of times if necessary.

Steps of washing

– The body of the deceased should be placed on a table or similar, the deceased’s clothes should be removed, and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth.
– The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to ensure the washing water with exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body.
– The deceased’s Aura (private parts) should be covered with a piece of cloth. The Aura of a male is from the belly button to the knee in the presence of males, for the female is the same in the presence of females.
– The washer should start washing by saying:” Bismillah “,” In the name of Allah “.
– The washer winds a piece of cloth around his hand, and with this, he cleans away any impurities from the body using water. Then he should dispose of this piece.
– The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as so to expel, if possible, any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Then he should dispose of this piece of cloth.
– The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand (may use gloves), and wash the covered private parts, then dispose of this piece of cloth.
– The washer should perform Wudu (ablution) on the deceased without inserting the water in the nose and in the mouth.
– The washer should clean the body with water and soap, if available, starting from the head (hair, face, and beard {men}), then the upper right side of the body, then the left side, after that the lower right side, then the lower left.
– In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back. The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones.
– In the last wash, the washer may use camphor or some perfume with the water.
– After that, the body should be dried with a clean towel.
– Then the body should be covered with a white sheet.
– You now get ready to start the shrouding.

Special Note: In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or has childbirth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body. Note:

– It is recommended that those who performed the washing should take a bath.
– It is recommended that those who performed the washing should make Wudu.
– All of this is based on authentic Hadith that Um Atiyah narrated that: ” When the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) died, he instructed us:‘ Wash her three times, or more than that if you feel it is necessary, with water and sidr(good smelling leaves), and then after the last wash apply some camphor to the body , then loosen her hair, wash it, comb it, and make it in three braids laid behind her back ” (Bukhari & Muslim).

Note:

– There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran during the Ghusul.

– There is no Islamic teaching of making special dhikr (Certain words to remember Allah) during the Ghusul. Shrouding the Deceased Muslim – Shrouding should start just after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets made of inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud). Aisha relates that: ” When the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) died, he was shrouded in three white sheets from Yemen” (Bukhari & Muslim). The shroud (kafan) of a male: The Kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about{7 x 7 feet}, clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long. The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used. Steps of shrouding

– The winding sheets should be spread out one on top of the other.
– The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets.
– Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is, the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
– If it is possible, the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand as in the Salat (Prayer).
– The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased’s right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way.
– These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

ICNA Relief Tables @ MCC Jumu'ahs
2025-09-12 13:00 - 16:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
ICNA Relief is a nonprofit organization that uplifts lives with compassion, empowering women, supporting refugees, and providing food to those in need.
Stop by their table and discover how you can be part of this beautiful mission!

Afghan Relief Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2025-09-12 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Afghan Relief is a US-based nonprofit that helps widows and orphans in Afghanistan. They are currently assisting victims impacted by the devastating earthquakes that struck Kunar, Afghanistan. Hundreds have lost their lives, and thousands are injured and displaced. Afghan Relief is on the ground providing shelter, food, healthcare, and urgent aid.
Visit the table this Friday to support their relief efforts.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Rosewood
2025-09-12 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For MCC’s four Jumu’ah services on Friday, Sep. 12, 2025:

1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Hafiz Atef Arabi delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.

TBA delivers this sermon at Rosewood Conference Center, 4450 Rosewood Dr., Pleasanton

2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Hafiz Atef Arabi delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Hafiz Yaseen Mahmoud delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

*Please attend at 2:30 or 3:40 p.m. at MCC to avoid heavier first-service congestion whenever possible, or please attend the off-site MCC Jumu’ah service, that is, each week at the Rosewood Commons, 4450 Rosewood Dr (Building 5)., Pleasanton. Rosewood is just a four-minute drive from MCC.

Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. Please come to the third or fourth Jumuah at MCC to ease up parking congestion or, better yet, attend our weekly parallel satellite prayer from 1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. at Rosewood Center (Building 5): https://mcceastbay.org/rosewood

– Virtually watch the three MCC sermons from home: https://mcceastbay.org/live
– More Hafiz Atef: mcceastbay.org/atef
– More Hafiz Yaseen: mcceastbay.org/yaseen

For parents attending with young children indoors at the main MCC facility, we offer private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to the Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while working with other parents and young children. The mothers’ and fathers’ prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Grief Begins with Love | Sofia Safi
2025-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Loss touches every soul. It is born from love, and when it arrives, it reshapes the way we navigate the world. Some losses are so deep, they stay beside us—silent companions in every step.
Join Sofia Safi, author of A Flower for You: A Poem for All the What Would Have Been of You, as she shares her story of child loss and the journey of carrying grief with honesty.
This gathering is for anyone who has loved, lost, and continues to carry the “what could have been.” Come as you are with your love and pain.
Friday, Sep. 12 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | MCC Prayer Hall | Join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The book will be available for purchase for $14. The author will sign.
The book can also be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flower-You-Poem-Would-Beens/dp/1733642102
About the Book
This beautifully illustrated book aims to wrap those who need it in understanding. When a child passes, so does their future, along with the hopes and dreams that parents and loved ones had for them. Those who have experienced child loss may find themselves wondering about the milestones and memories they will now never have with their child. Those thoughts are captured here in words and images by someone who understands. A Flower for You also allows for personalization, with a space for readers to add a picture and share thoughts about the child who has passed away.
Note from the Author
In honor of beautiful baby Hamza, please take a copy of this book and donate it to your local library. Or keep it in your collection. Or gift it to someone who may find comfort within its pages. However you choose to share it, may it offer a moment of solace to someone who needs it.

Monthly Sisterhood Hike | Sisters in the Outdoors
2025-09-13 07:00 - 10:00 | Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, Pleasanton, CA, Foothill Rd., Pleasanton, 94588, United States
Join us at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sep. 13, for a hike at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park near Sunol 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: Saturday, Sep. 13
– Time: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Please arrive a little early to park and find the group. The group can wait till 7:10 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: We will meet in the parking lot outside the gate. Please do not go inside the park even if the gate is open. We like to emphasize that there is no cell reception in the parking lot, so please be there on time, as we will not break the group to come back to get someone from the parking lot if they are running late.
– Meeting Point: Parking lot, Foothill Staging Area, Foothill Rd, Sunol, CA 94586
– Trail: Olive and Thermalito Trail Loop
– Distance: 4.5 miles
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Misc: Wear hiking shoes if possible. There will be a small water crossing, and your shoes might get wet. 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 Friday, Sep. 12, 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:
Check out this 4.5-mile loop trail near Sunol, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 27 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Monthly Men's Hike | Dublin Hills Regional Park
2025-09-13 08:00 - 10:30 | Dublin Hills Regional Park
For Brothers! Join a brotherhood that hikes through life’s ups and downs, finding strength and community in the great outdoors. Our Monthly MCC Brothers Hike caters to various fitness levels and explores East Bay’s serene landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to start, we welcome you to share in this journey of fellowship and discovery.

Saturday, September 13 | 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Dublin Hills Regional Park | No children, please (teenage boys, okay) | RSVP at mcceastbay.org/brothers-hike
If brothers want to walk around more, they can do it depending on their interest/time. The hike will be canceled if there are insufficient RSVPs, pending weather conditions.

When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Please arrive early to park and find the group. The group can wait till 8:10 a.m. and will start the hike. Please be on time since we cannot hold the group.
Carpool: We highly recommend carpooling. No carpool from MCC is available for this hike.
Parking: Free
Meeting Point: Martin Canyon Creek Trailhead
Trail: Dublin Hills
Distance: Around 5 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Misc: Pack a snack and water for yourself. 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 the All Trails map (free version) if you decide to return in the middle of the hike. This will be very helpful when navigating back to the parking lot.
RSVP: By Friday, September 12, please let us know you are coming for this hike: https://mcceastbay.org/brothers-hike

Mohammed Kadoura leads these monthly hikes for the brothers. If you have trouble finding the group on the day of the hike, please call or text Br. Mohammed at (617) 935-7347. Please remember that we cannot hold all of the group, so we request you to please be on time.
For future hikes, please subscribe to the MCC newsletter and add your phone number to the Men’s Hiking WhatsApp group.
Please wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes, carry a water bottle, a small snack, a hat, sunglasses, and hiking poles if you have any.
Questions? hiking@mcceastbay.org
About this trail:
Discover this 5.0-mile loop trail near Dublin, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 33 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Saturday Morning Flag Football Sessions for Boys
2025-09-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Creekside Park, 5601 W Las Positas Blvd, Pleasanton, California, 94588
For Boys Ages 7-14: Join us for four sessions of flag football, which includes warm-ups, basics, drills, and games. These sessions are organized by peers in our community who love working with youth.
Saturdays, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, & 10/4 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Creekside Park | Boys Ages 7-14 | $50 for all 4 sessions or $15/session; register at mcceastbay.org/flag-football

Limited to 60 participants.
Dads are encouraged to come and stay and participate as well.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attaining knowledge offered within the four walls of MCC the facility. To request a financial waiver or discount, please complete: https://mcceastbay.org/scholarship
Camp facilitators
Azmat Zeeshan Mukhtar is a local father and mentor from our community who enjoys sports and spending time with kids. He will organize the activities and recruit other dads to help volunteer, making this a rewarding experience for our young Muslim boys.

*Canceled* Muslimah Girls Flag Football Team
2025-09-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Emerald High School
Sep. 14 session has been canceled.
For Girls Ages 12-18: Join us twice a month on Sunday mornings for girls-only flag football sessions. We will start with a short dua, followed by warm-ups, drills, and games.
Dedicated volunteers lead these sessions in our community. Moms are also welcome to join.
Sunday, Sep. 14 & 28 | 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Emerald High School | Girls Ages 12-18 | $15/session | Register at mcceastbay.org/girls-flag-football
Capped at 30 participants.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
About the facilitator:
Belqees Barethz is an active member of the East Bay community who grew up in the Tri-Valley Area and has enjoyed playing sports from a young age. While most of the other females in the family would be enjoying their time sitting and talking at park gatherings, Belqees would be out on the field playing volleyball, football, or any other sport. Her passion for sports, particularly flag football, has led her to initiate these sessions specifically for young Muslimahs. She is excited to offer them to the community for the first time. Belqees is passionate about giving back to the community in one way or another and believes this will be a fun way to bring the youth together insha’Allah.
