Saturday Morning Middle School Boys Halaqa | Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-02-25 11:30 - 12:45, 2023-03-04 11:30 - 12:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join MCC Youth Leader Hafiz Zaid Khanani‘s 9-week Saturday morning halaqa for middle school boys from 6th through 8th grade.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim men. This will be the only offered for boys on Saturday mornings in 2023. These halaqas are for boys ages 11-13 only. Capped at 30 boys. Once full, please join the waitlist.

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Saturdays | January 21 to March 18 (Ramadan ’23) | $120 per child | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/middle-school-halaqa

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

Saturday morning sessions in 2023:

– January 21, 2023

– January 28, 2023

– February 4, 2023

– February 11, 2023

– February 18, 2023

– February 25, 2023

– March 4, 2023

– March 11, 2023

– March 18, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

LOCATION

MCC East Bay, 94588

Storytime With Khala Sahar
2023-02-25 13:00 - 14:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Each month, Khala Sahar reads and entertains our young children in an engaging hour for ages 2 to 10 with a fun theme.1 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Saturday, Jan. 28 | Last Saturday of each month | Join in-person in the Prayer Hall or watch online at https://mcceastbay.org/live | Free; no registration needed

Winter ’23 Saturday Event Dates:

Saturday, January 28, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 25, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

RAMADAN WEEKLY STORYTIME ON SUNDAYS!

Sunday, March 26, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 2, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 9, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 16, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

*PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DAY IN RAMADAN*RAMADAN BOOK DRIVE

Please help us give back to children and families most in need in our community. We will be collecting new Islamic children’s books to give as Eid gifts. Drop off at MCC storytime.

– More Sister Sahar: https://mcceastbay.org/sahar

– More sessions for young Muslim children: https://mcceastbay.org/children

About the Facilitator

Sister Sahar grew up in Southern California and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California – Irvine (UCI). She went on to work as a behavioral therapist for autistic children for many years. After having her own two boys, she dedicated her time to raising and homeschooling them. Sahar enjoys working with children and is inspired by their love and curiosity for life and Allah’s creation.

Khala Sahar’s Book Raffle: Win a free book! On a blank piece of paper write your name, age, and 10 books read between each story time (or print out the book log to fill out). Bring your book log to storytime and enter the raffle. For every 10 books read, enter your name an additional time! The more you read the more chances you have to win! (Note: books can be read independently, aloud by someone to the child, or an audiobook). Print the log: https://mcceastbay.org/log

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Forty Hadith Qudsi | Ustadha Nihad Hemmoudeh
2023-02-28 13:30 - 14:15 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Ustadha Nihad Hemmoudeh facilitates a 45-minute live Zoom session for sisters (posted the following day publicly on MCC’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram) about the Forty Hadith Qudsi, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as revealed to him by the Almighty Allah. 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. PST | Tuesdays | 12 consecutive weeks from January 3 to March 21 | No pre-registration needed | Join live each week at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom at https://mcceastbay.org/hadith

Ustadha Nihad will be using the book “Forty Hadith Qudsi” by Shaykh Muhammad Mitwalli ash-Sha’rawi.

– Watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/qudsi

More Ustadha Nihad:

– Ustadha’s Nihad’s “Pearls of Islam: The Wives of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)” series: https://mcceastbay.org/pearls-series

– Ustadha Nihad’s Surah al-Kahf series: https://mcceastbay.org/kahf

– Ustadha Nihad’s Juz Amma series: https://mcceastbay.org/quran-tafseer

– Hafidha Nihad’s Sahaba (Companions) Series Sessions: https://mcceastbay.org/companions-series

– Ust. Nohad’s Al-Nawawi Hadith Series: https://mcceastbay.org/nawawi

– More Ustadha Nihad: https://mcceastbay.org/nihad

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Weekly Women’s Seerah Bookclub
2023-02-28 18:30 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join our weekly sisters’ virtual only 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 fall, we are reading “The Prophetic Narrative” by Samira al-Zayid.

RSVP for the live registration link below at https://mcceastbay.org/bookclub. RSVP is needed to join us virtually.

**Sessions changed to online only for the remaining classes.

Event Details:

The discussion takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a break in Ramadan ’23. The sessions are now only virtual sessions (no in-person component).

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://daybreak.rabata.org/products/soft-cover-a-compendium-of-the-sources-on-the-prophetic-narrative

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

Internationally acclaimed as “the most authoritative resource” on the Sīra, this two-volume translation textbook is revolutionary in bringing Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s life to life for everyone who ventures upon it.

This multiple award-winning, comprehensive compilation of narrations and details of the life of Prophet Muhammad (S) has never before been available in English until now! Internationally acclaimed as “the most authoritative resource” on the Sīra, this two-volume translation textbook is revolutionary in bringing his (S) life to life for everyone who ventures upon it. The original volumes have won the approval and praise of numerous scholars. It is finally available as a treasured text for personal or educational development.

Author: Samira al-ZayidTranslators: Susan Imady, Tamara Gray, & Randa MardiniBinding: SoftcoverPages: Vol 1, 570; Vol 2, 558Publisher: Daybreak Press

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

The Seven Obstacles on the Path to God Series | Sidi Shahyrar Abbasi
2023-03-01 19:15 - 20:15 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Every Muslim is on a journey to Allah. As you travel to Allah, you will inadvertently face obstacles on your path and, many times, not know how to overcome them.

Join us for a new virtual weekly class with Sidi Shahryar Abbasi where we will discuss the 7 obstacles a believer faces on the Path to Allah, along with strategies for navigating these hurdles.

Imam Al Ghazali beautifully discusses these 7 Obstacles in his famous book, Minhaj Al Abideen, which is the core text for our class.

7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. | Wednesdays | Dec. 14 to Ramadan ’23 | Watch at https://mcceastbay.org/live

Hosted at Lighthouse Mosque. Streamed only on MCC media channels. Watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/obstacles

– More Sidi Shahryar: https://mcceastbay.org/shahryar

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Seven Obstacles on the Path to God” Series: https://mcceastbay.org/obstacles

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Practical Spirituality Series”: https://mcceastbay.org/practical

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Real Talk Series”: https://mcceastbay.org/real-talk

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Traits of the Righteous” Series: https://mcceastbay.org/hallmark

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Deceptive Desires” Series: https://mcceastbay.org/desires

About the SpeakerShahryar graduated from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and served as the External Affairs Vice President of UC Berkeley’s student government. He is an experienced speaker, mentor, and coach. Send him questions at: ask.abu.taha@gmail.com and learn more about him at https://www.tiktok.com/@islamic_spirituality

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Quarterly Blood Drive @ Jumu'ah
2023-03-03 10:30 - 16:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
As people of faith, it is in our blood to help. Be part of a lifesaving journey to save up to three lives with a 15-minute blood donation.
The MCC community has saved nearly 350 lives! This is our 22nd blood drive during Jumu’ah. Each blood drive has always been fully booked or near-fully booked!
Let’s continue that trajectory at this blood drive and keep all our American Red Cross guests busy when they set up in our Banquet Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a Friday. Sign up at: https://mcceastbay.org/blood-drive
In 2023, MCC will proudly host these quarterly blood drives during Jumuah services from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with our friends at the American Red Cross:

Friday, March 3, 2023
Friday, June 2, 2023
Friday, September 1, 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023

Book An Appointment
A Power Red donation targets O-, O+, A-, and B- only. The donation process takes an additional 20-30 minutes because donors give two units of concentrated Red Blood Cells, and your platelets and plasma are returned.
Blood donors report feeling a sense of great satisfaction after making their blood donation. Why? Because helping others in need just feels good.
If you have visited India, Pakistan, or another high-risk malaria country and returned within the last 12 months, you are not eligible to donate blood.
Every person who donates blood at MCC in 2023 will receive a voucher for a free meal at iniBurger – Gourmet Burgers in Pleasanton. These vouchers are generously donated by MCC congregation members Leeza and Abdullah Popal, who own these establishments, to encourage community and congregation participation.
MCC Youth: If you are 16 to 18, here is the donor requirements and parental authorization form link.
On the morning of the blood drive, please complete the Rapid Pass online and bring the print-off to speed up the check-in process. Complete at https://mcceastbay.org/rapid
Save a Life

CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2023-03-03 12:30 - 14:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States

Two Jumu’ah Services @ MCC
2023-03-03 12:30 - 14:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For our Jumu’ah services on Friday, March 3, masks are optional to attend any MCC service, and no RSVP is necessary:

12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

– Hafiz Sami Rehman delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

– Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

Please attend at 12:30 p.m. to avoid heavier second-service congestion whenever possible. Masks are optional.

The third Jumu’ah will resume in March ’23: https://mcceastbay.org/event/new-jumuah-times-winter-schedule/

Jumu’ah parking for two services is in the MCC and the neighboring HP lot. The aerial map at https://mcceastbay.org/hp

– Virtually watch these two sermons from home: https://mcceastbay.org/live

More Hafiz Sami: https://mcceastbay.org/sami

More Ustadh Feraidoon: https://mcceastbay.org/feraidoon

Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi is one of the most well-known and respected community leaders, lecturers, and entrepreneurs in the Bay Area – California. He was born in Herat, Afghanistan and immigrated with his family to America during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1985. After graduating from American High School and Chabot College he attended San Francisco State University where he majored in history. He grew up in a household with a deep love and reverence for poetry. At the age of five he began to memorize poems by Rumi and other great poets. His love of poetry continued to grow and eventually developed into a passion and calling that would allow him to teach regular classes on Rumi throughout California, the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Germany and even as far as Konya, Turkey, where Mawlana Rumi is laid to rest. The nuances of the Farsi language, in which he is fluent, allows him the unique ability to bring Rumi’s poetry to life and to help listeners recognize Rumi’s essential message of peace, love, coexistence, and connection with the Divine. He is the author and performer of “Layla & Majnun” play produced by Performing Lines in Perth Australia. Ustadh Feraidoon spends his free time reading, studying, and lecturing on many topics including Rumi and a wide collection of Farsi poetry, spirituality, and self-development. He currently lives with his wife and two children in Dublin, California.Questions? events@mcceastbay.orgThe Alameda County Health Department reports COVID-19 cases are still happening. We remain indoors for the five daily prayers and two Jumu’ah services as long as health officials deem it safe. All the Jumu’ah prayers are indoors.

Orphans in Need USA Tables @ MCC Jum'uahs
2023-03-03 12:30 - 14:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
As part of their ongoing efforts to support our community, Orphans in Need USA provide critical support and assistance to orphans and vulnerable children. We urge you to donate generously and help make a difference in the lives of these deserving children.

CAIR Citizenship Workshop at MCC
2023-03-03 15:00 - 19:00 | CA
CAIR-SFBA is hosting several upcoming citizenship clinics. During this clinic, attorneys will provide free legal assistance with naturalization and fee waiver applications.

To register for the clinic, please sign up here: https://bit.ly/cairsfbacitizenshipclinicintake

During this clinic, attorneys will provide:-Presentation on the citizenship process and eligibility.-Free legal consultation to determine eligibility.-Free legal assistance with Naturalization and Fee Waiver applications.

What to Bring:-Green Card and Social Security card.-Passport(s).-Job history and home addresses for the last five years.-List of trips abroad in the last five years.-Family information for all children and spouses (current and former).-Arrest records, if arrested and/or cited.-To apply for Fee Waiver or Reduced Fee: Latest tax return and/or proof of public benefits (such as food stamps, cash aid, SSI, etc.)

Questions? event@mcceastbay.org

Dr. Rania Awaad's Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa
2023-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly Friday evening women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Every Friday from October 14, 2022 to March 17, 2023 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania
– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Evening Halaqa recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa
– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4

Free babysitting is provided in Room 16. Facility map: https://mcceastbay.org/facility-map
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
This halaqa is hosted parallel to our girl’s program in partnership with Rahmah Foundation.
Ustadha Rania AwaadRaised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive Ijaazah (authorization to teach) several branches of the Shari’ah sciences at the hands of many renowned scholars, including many female scholars. She has received Ijazah to teach Tajwid in the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the late eminent Syrian scholar Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition to completing several advanced texts of the Shafi’i madhhab, she is licensed to teach texts of Maliki fiqh, Adab, and Ihsan. Currently, Ustadha Rania teaches online and local classes for The Rahmah Foundation, Rabata, and is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh, women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.
Ustadha Rania is also a medical doctor with a specialty in Psychiatry. She completed her Psychiatric residency and fellowship training at Stanford University, where she is currently on the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in the Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department. Her medical interests include addressing mental health care concerns in the Muslim community- particularly that of Muslim women and girls. She has been awarded grants from the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) to research this topic and has presented her findings at several medical conferences. Other ongoing endeavors include compiling manuscripts addressing female-related mental health and medical issues from a fiqh-oriented perspective. She currently serves as the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches Muslim women and girls traditional Islamic knowledge. In this capacity, she also heads the Murbbiyah Mentoring Program, which trains young women to teach and mentor Muslim girls and teens. Ustadha Rania is both a wife and a mother; she has been counseling and teaching women classes on Tajwid, Shafi’i Fiqh, Ihsan, marriage, and raising children since 1999.
Learn more about Dr. Rania and her work at http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/research/MuslimMHLab.html
Every Friday evening, the MCC bustles with activity. MCC hosts four halaqas to increase God-consciousness for youth, women, and men.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., join Dr. Rania Awaad‘s women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues. This wide-ranging Muslimah halaqa is in the MCC Conference Room, and the first hour is live-streamed here (watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/halaqa). This halaqa is organized in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.
Friday evening sessions in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023:

– October 14
– October 21
– October 28
– November 5
– November 11
– November 18
– November 25 (no session)
– December 2
– December 9
– December 16
– December 23 (no session)
– December 30 (no session)
– January 6, 2023
– January 13, 2023
– January 20, 2023
– January 27, 2023
– February 3, 2023
– February 10, 2023
– February 17, 2023
– February 24, 2023
– March 3, 2023
– March 10, 2023
– March 17, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Boys Friday Night Halaqa for High Schoolers (Ages 14-18) | Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join MCC Youth Leader Hafiz Zaid Khanani‘s 16-week Friday evening halaqa for teen high school boys from 9th through 12th grade.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim men. This will be the only offered for boys on Friday nights in 2022. Younger-age boy’s halaqas planned for January 2023. These halaqas are for teens ages 14-18 only. No younger boys. Capped at 30 teens. Once full, please join the waitlist.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | November 11 to March 17 (Ramadan ’23) ($100 from January 11 to March 17) | Register at HTTP://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

To make an appointment for parents or youth to meet with MCC’s Youth leaders:

– Maryam Awwal: http://calendly.com/mcc-maryam

– Hafiz Zaid Khanani: http://calendly.com/mcc-zaid

Friday evening sessions in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023:

– November 11 (free preview session; no registration required)

– November 18 (registration required to join from this session onwards)

– November 25 (no session)

– December 2

– December 9

– December 16

– December 23 (no session)

– December 30 (no session)

– January 6, 2023 (no session)

– January 13, 2023

– January 20, 2023

– January 27, 2023

– February 3, 2023

– February 10, 2023

– February 17, 2023

– February 24, 2023

– March 3, 2023

– March 10, 2023

– March 17, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Zaid Khanani is a Marriage and Family Therapy trainee with the City of Fremont, Youth and Family Services. He graduated from Zaytuna College and completed his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the Wright Institute. Hafiz Zaid continues his formal Islamic Studies with local teachers and scholars overseas. He is a former Islamic Studies teacher at Northstar Islamic School and teaches numerous online classes.

Monthly Sisterhood Hike | Sisters in the Outdoors
2023-03-04 07:00 - 10:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on March 4 for a Saturday morning hike at Lake Chabot to get to know other sisters in the community and enjoy the great outdoors. No children, please (female teens, okay).

Please note: Hike may be canceled due to the rainy forecast.

– When: Saturday, March 4, 2023

– 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: Highly recommend carpooling. No carpool from MCC is available for this hike. Carpool encouraged others on this hike.

– Parking: 4-5 $ or free street parking on Mission Blvd./Pine Rd.

– Location: Lake Chabot

– Misc: Please wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes, carry enough water, a small snack, a hat, sunglasses, and hiking poles if you have one. There are bathrooms at the trailhead. No cell network in that area, suggest carpooling and downloading the AllTrail maps.

– RSVP: By Friday, March 3, 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. On the day of the hike, if you have trouble finding the group, please call or text Sr. Aparna at (408) 480-6584. 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, hat, sunglasses, and hiking poles if you have one.

Questions? hiking@mcceastbay.org

Ilm Classes for Middle & High Schoolers (Boys & Girls) | Sr. Maryam Awwal & Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-03-04 10:00 - 11:15 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join MCC Youth Leaders, Sr. Maryam Awwal and Hafiz Zaid Khanani, for 9 weeks Saturday Ilm classes offered for both middle & high school girls and boys ( 6th through 12th grades). The classes will cover the Creed of Imam al-Tahawi.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim women and men. These classes are for girls & boys ages 11-18 only. Capped at 30. Once full, please join the waitlist.

10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Saturdays | January 21 to March 18 (Ramadan ’23) | $120 per child | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/ilm-classes

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

Saturday morning sessions in 2023:

– January 21, 2023

– January 28, 2023

– February 4, 2023

– February 11, 2023

– February 18, 2023

– February 25, 2023

– March 4, 2023

– March 11, 2023

– March 18, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Practically Preparing for Ramadan - Sisters Workshop
2023-03-04 10:00 - 13:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join Ustadha Hosai Mojadidi, Sr. Heba El-Haddad, and Sr. Emira Mustafa (author of Practically Preparing for Ramadan) for a pre-Ramadan Saturday morning workshop for practical spiritual tips and insights on what we can do to leverage this upcoming Ramadan for the maximum benefit of our Hereafter.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Saturday, March 3 | $35 per person, workbook & refreshment included | MCC Conference Room | In-person only, no live stream option

This workshop will give you helpful tips to maximize your time effectively and efficiently to achieve all your spiritual, intellectual, and physical goals this Ramadan, insha’Allah. Join us to transcend the Ramadan grind and maintain spirituality in a busy life.

Trapped in to-dos and endless appointments, everything we do becomes a task to be checked off quickly, even our worship. So how can we be spiritual if we’re so busy? Prepare for the sacred month with our two dear community teachers as they present practical tips to connect with Allah and rise above the grind this Ramadan.

– More Getting Ramadan for Ramadan reminders: https://mcceastbay.org/ramadan-ready

– More Ramadan sermons & talks: https://mcceastbay.org/ramadan-reminders

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi

Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi is the co-Founder of mentalhealth4muslims.com, where she advocates for and writes about various mental health-related topics tailored for Muslims. She has served the American-Muslim community for nearly 20 years as an activist, writer/editor, mediator, interfaith organizer, and public speaker, covering various topics, including women’s issues, marriage/family, education, self-development, interfaith bridge-building, spirituality, etc.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, blogging via social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), doing arts and crafts, visiting gourmet coffee shops, and exploring the countless beautiful parks, beaches, and nature preserves throughout Northern California where she lives with her husband, two sons, and fish named Max.

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

Sister Heba El-Haddad

Heba El-Haddad received her undergraduate degree from UC Irvine in Psychology of Social Science, later earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University. Heba is an affiliate of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health Lab, which provides resources for clinicians, researchers, and community leaders working with the Muslim population. Believing that prevention is superior to intervention, she has worked on promoting awareness on a broad spectrum of topics through seminars, workshops, and lectures through her previous role as a mental health instructor at Kaiser Permanente and currently as a Khalil Center practitioner serving Zaytuna College students. Heba is part of a group of clinicians and scholars who contributed to publishing the new text on the TIIP model (Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy) titled “Applying Islamic Principles to Clinical Mental Health Care” for Muslim practitioners nationwide.

– More Ms. Heba ElHaddad: https://mcceastbay.org/heba

Heba has been a mental health practitioner at the Khalil Center since its inception in the Bay Area. She is also an affiliate of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health Lab, which focuses on providing resources for clinicians, researchers, and community leaders working with the Muslim population. Believing that prevention is superior to intervention, Heba has worked on promoting awareness on a broad spectrum of anxiety and anger management topics through seminars, workshops, and lectures and her previous role as a mental health instructor at Kaiser Permanente. She believes that psychoeducation can empower and transform communities, not just individuals. Heba is part of a group of clinicians and scholars who contributed to publishing a text introducing interventions utilizing the Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy model (TIIP) to Muslim practitioners nationwide. She perceives learning as a never-ending process and continuously seeks to further her self-development.

Sister Emira Mustafa

Sister Emira Mustafa founded Craft E Muslims, a business with a mission to connect the heart and mind through fun, innovative methods creatively.

She has published two workbooks on Amazon titled “Islamic Themed Fall Festival Activity Kit” and “Practically Preparing for Ramadan.” Her Etsy page features many Islamic-themed crafting kits sure to inspire a love of learning within our community.

More Sister Emira: https://mcceastbay.org/emiraMCC has a standing policy that financial need should never prevent a person from attaining spiritual or practical knowledge from any event or class held within the community center. To request a financial waiver, message scholarship@mcceastbay.org

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Secrets of Divine Love Book Club
2023-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
MCC is hosting a Secrets of Divine Love book club/discussion group every other Saturday evening.
Join us as we collectively strive toward mindfully opening our hearts to Allah’s love for us and our love for Allah. Each chapter contains its own exercises that will serve as the focal point for our discussions, and each chapter stands alone so you can attend any session that is convenient for you without the need to ‘catch up.’
The first session will be abridged and focus on the Introduction, the Reading with an Open Heart preface, and set the stage for future discussions for those who hope to attend all or most of the sessions and follow the progression.
This book club will be held every other week for a Saturday Book Club discussing the internationally acclaimed book by A. Helwa, Secrets of Divine Love. Each session will cover a chapter and include group discussions, reflections, and exercises from the book. The discussion takes place every other Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and in Summer ’22 runs from Saturday, August 20, 2022, to Saturday, March 4, 2023.
RSVP for the registration at https://mcceastbay.org/divine-love-bookclub. RSVP is requested.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Every other Saturday | August 20 to March 4 | Conference Room | In-person only (no virtual option)
Class Schedule:

-Intro

– Aug 20, 2022

-Chapter 1 – Allah

– Sep 3, 2022

Chapter 2 – Humanity

– Sep 17, 2022

-Chapter 3 – Qur’an

– Oct 1, 2022

-Chapter 4 – Islam/Iman/Ihsan

– Oct 15, 2022

-Chapter 5 – Tawba

– Oct 29, 2022

-Chapter 6 – Shahadah

– Nov 12, 2022

-Chapter 7 – Salat

– Dec 3, 2022

-Chapter 8 – Zakat

– Dec 17, 2022

-Chapter 9 – Ramadan

– Jan 7, 2023

-Chapter 10 – Hajj

– Jan 21, 2023

-Chapter 11 – Death

– Feb 4, 2023

-Chapter 12 – Heaven and Hell

– Feb 18, 2023

-Conclusion

– Mar 4, 2023

Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not teach deen. It is NOT a fiqh or aqidah class. The book contains various references and concepts that do not align with traditional Islamic scholarship on those subjects. If any participant has any questions about what scholars say about any of the concepts mentioned in the book or discussed in the book club meetings, we strongly recommend consulting a scholar they know and trust and/or forwarding those questions to the organizers of the book club so that we can get guidance from a scholar and share that guidance with the group.
We intended to approach the abstract ideas found in this book as thought experiments and the exercises as cardio for the spiritual heart. Nothing in the book or book club meetings should be viewed as replacing, undermining, or contradicting traditional Islamic scholarship in any way.
Discussion Group Guidelines

– Everyone has something to say, everyone has something to learn

-Shy people encouraged to contribute
-Talkative people encouraged to restrain themselves

– Confidentiality

-Do not share people’s reflections outside of the group. Can say stuff like “somebody in my book club made me think (this or that) about (this or that)”, but not “(so and so) said …”

– 70 excuses

-Give your sisters/brothers every benefit of the doubt as far as their intention with whatever they say, particularly what you may disagree with

– ‘Dinner after’

-If you have differences of opinion during the discussion, remember the intention is beneficial learning that we are all working together to achieve. So you leave those differences of opinion at the door when we’re done and still be ready to go to dinner after with people you may have disagreed with (see 70 excuses rule)

– Be chill

-Emotional subject matter requires conscious intention to remain emotionally intelligent and not let ourselves get carried away. Particularly the brothers, don’t get aggressive or excited, appropriate adab with each other and with our sisters is required

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

– https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Divine-Love-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1734231203

*Audiobook voiced by author available
About the Book

Secrets of Divine Love was written for the longing heart, for the one who is searching for something they have not been able to find. For the one who sometimes spirals into hopelessness and cannot help but feel too imperfect for a perfect God to love. This book is for the one who is at the edge of their faith, who has experienced religion as a harsh winter instead of the life-bearing spring it was sent to be by God.
Secrets of Divine Love serves as a compass and guiding light that returns you to the source of divine peace and surrender. Through the practices and pillars of Islam, you will learn how to unlock your spiritual potential and unveil your divine purpose. A. Helwa uses a rational, yet heart-based approach towards the Qur’an that not only enlightens the mind, but inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with Allah. By weaving together dozens of inspiring mystical stories, Qur’an verses, Hadith, poetry, psychology, and science, the author breaks down Islam in a way that is both digestible and inspiring for millennial Muslims.
Author: A. Helwa
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 385 pages
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Naulit Publishing House
About the Author
A. Helwa believes that every single person on Earth is deeply loved by the Divine. She is a writer who has inspired hundreds of thousands of readers through her passionate, poetic, and love-based approach to spirituality. Her popular blog @quranquotesdaily, was established while obtaining her Masters in Divinity, as a means of helping others overcome personal and spiritual struggles on their journey of experiencing divine love. With over 15 years of experience writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development, A. Helwa draws from her personal experiences and traditional sources to help her readers access ‘Divine love in everyday life.’

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Secrets of Divine Love Book Club
2023-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Starting Saturday, August 20th, MCC will be hosting a Secrets of Divine Love book club/discussion group every other Saturday evening. Join us as we collectively strive toward mindfully opening our hearts to Allah’s love for us and our love for Allah. Each chapter contains its own exercises that will serve as the focal point for our discussions and each chapter stands alone so you can attend any session that is convenient for you without the need to ‘catch up’.
The first session will be abridged and focus simply on the Introduction, the Reading with an Open Heart preface and set the stage for future discussions for those who hope to attend all or most of the sessions and follow the progression.
This book club will be held every other week for a Saturday Book Club discussing the internationally acclaimed book by A. Helwa, Secrets of Divine Love. Each session will cover a chapter and will include group discussions, reflections, and exercises from the book. The discussion takes place every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and in Summer ’22 runs from Saturday, August 20 2022 to Saturday, March 4, 2023.
RSVP for the registration at https://mcceastbay.org/divine-love-bookclub. RSVP is requested.
Saturdays | August 20 to March 4 | Conference Room | In-person only.
Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not teach deen. It is NOT a fiqh or aqidah class. The book contains various references and concepts that do not align with traditional Islamic scholarship on those subjects. If any participant has any questions about what scholars say about any of the concepts mentioned in the book or discussed in the book club meetings, we strongly recommend consulting a scholar they know and trust and/or forwarding those questions to the organizers of the book club so that we can get guidance from a scholar and share that guidance with the group.
We intended to approach the abstract ideas found in this book as thought experiments and the exercises as cardio for the spiritual heart. Nothing in the book or book club meetings should be viewed as replacing, undermining, or contradicting traditional Islamic scholarship in any way.
Discussion Group Guidelines

-Everyone has something to say, everyone has something to learn

-Shy people encouraged to contribute
-Talkative people encouraged to restrain themselves

-Confidentiality

-Do not share people’s reflections outside of the group. Can say stuff like “somebody in my book club made me think (this or that) about (this or that)”, but not “(so and so) said …”

-70 excuses

-Give your sisters/brothers every benefit of the doubt as far as their intention with whatever they say, particularly what you may disagree with

-‘Dinner after’

-If you have differences of opinion during the discussion, remember the intention is beneficial learning that we are all working together to achieve. So you leave those differences of opinion at the door when we’re done and still be ready to go to dinner after with people you may have disagreed with (see 70 excuses rule)

-Be chill

-Emotional subject matter requires conscious intention to remain emotionally intelligent and not let ourselves get carried away. Particularly the brothers, don’t get aggressive or excited, appropriate adab with each other and with our sisters is required

Class Schedule:

-Intro

-Aug 20, 2022

-Chapter 1 – Allah

-Sep 3, 2022

Chapter 2 – Humanity

-Sep 17, 2022

-Chapter 3 – Qur’an

-Oct 1, 2022

-Chapter 4 – Islam/Iman/Ihsan

-Oct 15, 2022

-Chapter 5 – Tawba

-Oct 29, 2022

-Chapter 6 – Shahadah

-Nov 12, 2022

-Chapter 7 – Salat

-Dec 3, 2022

-Chapter 8 – Zakat

-Dec 17, 2022

-Chapter 9 – Ramadan

-Jan 7, 2023

-Chapter 10 – Hajj

-Jan 21, 2023

-Chapter 11 – Death

-Feb 4, 2023

-Chapter 12 – Heaven and Hell

-Feb 18, 2023

-Conclusion

-Mar 4, 2023

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

–https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Divine-Love-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1734231203

*Audiobook voiced by author available
About the Book

Secrets of Divine Love was written for the longing heart, for the one who is searching for something they have not been able to find. For the one who sometimes spirals into hopelessness and cannot help but feel too imperfect for a perfect God to love. This book is for the one who is at the edge of their faith, who has experienced religion as a harsh winter instead of the life-bearing spring it was sent to be by God.
Secrets of Divine Love serves as a compass and guiding light that returns you to the source of divine peace and surrender. Through the practices and pillars of Islam, you will learn how to unlock your spiritual potential and unveil your divine purpose. A. Helwa uses a rational, yet heart-based approach towards the Qur’an that not only enlightens the mind, but inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with Allah. By weaving together dozens of inspiring mystical stories, Qur’an verses, Hadith, poetry, psychology, and science, the author breaks down Islam in a way that is both digestible and inspiring for millennial Muslims.
Author: A. Helwa
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 385 pages
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Naulit Publishing House
About the Author
A. Helwa believes that every single person on Earth is deeply loved by the Divine. She is a writer who has inspired hundreds of thousands of readers through her passionate, poetic, and love-based approach to spirituality. Her popular blog @quranquotesdaily, was established while obtaining her Masters in Divinity, as a means of helping others overcome personal and spiritual struggles on their journey of experiencing divine love. With over 15 years of experience writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development, A. Helwa draws from her personal experiences and traditional sources to help her readers access ‘Divine love in everyday life.’

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
