Daily Singles Iftar
2023-04-05 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-06 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-07 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-09 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-10 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-11 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-12 19:25 - 20:00, 2023-04-13 19:25 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 1 more date | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
MCC is honored to host a nightly dinner for all our single brothers & sisters. The Iftar space is gender segregated.

Only on Saturdays, the singles Iftar is suspended and joins the community-wide Iftar.

The singles Iftar space is in the room next to the kitchen. Map: https://mcceastbay.org/facility-map

Singles Iftar registration for the new week opens at noon on Saturdays:

– Starting Wednesday, March 22: RSVP for Thursday, March 23 to Friday, March 31 at https://mcceastbay.org/singles-1

– Starting Saturday, April 1: RSVP for Sunday, April 2 to Friday, April 7 at https://mcceastbay.org/singles-2

– Starting Saturday, April 8: RSVP for Sunday, April 9 to Friday, April 14 at https://mcceastbay.org/singles-3

– Starting Saturday, April 15: RSVP for Sunday, April 16 to Thursday, April 20 at https://mcceastbay.org/singles-4

Food is served in takeout boxes to make it easier to take leftovers home.

Free. Optional donation.

– Ramadan timetable: https://mcceastbay.org/timetable

– More about events and activities in Ramadan 2023 at mcceastbay.org/ramadan

Youth Kahf Recitation
2023-04-07 12:00 - 12:30
Listen to a young MCC Hifz/Advanced Qur’an student studying with Qari Amar Bellaha recite the important Friday Surah al-Kahf with English subtitles at noon each Friday in Ramadan ’23.

– March 24: Muhammed Constantino
– March 31: Muhammad Rasyiid Prihardono
– April 7: Muhriz Munir
– April 14: TBA

These recitations are part of the MCC Mic Check series, which is a teen-initiated effort when a youth in the East Bay expresses their love for the Qur’an by reciting his or her favorite verses with melody and beauty. The series is curated by Muslim Student Association (MSA) at California High School in San Ramon.

– Watch the recitation on YouTube at mcceastbay.org/live
– Watch the recitation on Facebook at mcceastbay.org/facebook
– Mic Check Youth Qur’anic recitations at https://mcceastbay.org/mic-check

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Reciters in Ramadan ’22:

– Rayhan Ali: https://youtu.be/b8aPeterrE0
– Haanee Badal: https://youtu.be/gVMDtxrfIlw
– Umair Shafi: https://youtu.be/JwRnFcdJ6LM
– Zacharia Hamze: https://youtu.be/BUSLlXwlx3g

Reciters in Ramadan ’21:

– Omar Ali: https://youtu.be/bcAnFhVm1w4
– Ahmed Hussayni: https://youtu.be/6_56HU_Ngow
– Yusra Constantino: https://youtu.be/EIn59jQibTM
– Taha Abdullah: https://youtu.be/eU4K3EKB6cE

Surah al-Kahf (Arabic: الكهف, meaning: The Cave) is the 18th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran with 110 verses (āyāt). It is considered by many to be among the most important Qur’anic Surahs due to its doctrine, spirituality, guidance, and storytelling.
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday will have a light between this Friday and the next.” -As-Sunan al-Kubra

Girls Scouts Troop 30875 Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2023-04-07 13:30 - 16:00
Our little Tri-Valley Muslimahs in Girl Scouts Troop hosted a backpack and toy drives for our community’s most deserving families.

We now sweetly support these young girls: by purchasing cookies for you and your family this Friday. Girl Scout cookies are now halal-certified.

You can also gift a cookie box to needy families served by the MCC Food Pantry by purchasing a box after Jumu’ah and placing the cookies in the Toy bin in the MCC lobby. The cookies will be gifted from parents of Zakat-eligible families to their children on Eid morning.

MCC supports our Girl Scouts Troops that we proudly host in their annual cookie sales to support educational programming, community projects, and more.

Help the Girls Scouts fulfill their tradition of giving back to the community while expanding their experiences as leaders, entrepreneurs, and explorers by supporting their cookie sales.

Questions? girl-scouts@mcceastbay.org

Three Jumu’ah Services @ MCC
2023-04-07 13:30 - 16:00
For our Jumu’ah services on Friday, April 7, masks are optional to attend any MCC service, and no RSVP is necessary:

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Dr. Hatem Bazian 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.

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Br. Mohammed Abdul Baseer 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.

3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– 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 and men in Conference Room.

Please attend at 2:30 or 3:40 p.m. to avoid heavier first-service congestion whenever possible. Masks are optional.

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

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

– More Dr. Hatem: https://mcceastbay.org/hatem

– More Br. Abdul Baseer: https://mcceastbay.org/mohammed

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

For parents attending with young children indoors, MCC offers private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while in the company of other parents with young children. The mothers/fathers prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Alameda County Health Department reports COVID-19 cases are still happening. We remain indoors for the five daily prayers and three Jumu’ah services as long as health officials deem it safe. All the Jumu’ah prayers are indoors in the MCC Prayer Hall. Learn more at https://mcceastbay.org/prayer

Hatem Bazian is a co-founder and Professor of Islamic Law and Theology at Zaytuna College, the 1st Accredited Muslim Liberal Arts College in the United States. In addition, Prof. Bazian is a lecturer in the Departments of Near Eastern and Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Bazian between 2002-2007, also served as an adjunct professor of law at Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He teaches courses on Islamic Law and Society, Islam in America: Communities and Institutions, De-Constructing Islamophobia and Othering of Islam, Religious Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. In addition to Berkeley, Prof. Bazian served as a visiting Professor in Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California 2001-2007 and adviser to the Religion, Politics and Globalization Center at UC Berkeley. In Spring 2009, Prof. Bazian founded at Berkeley the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project at the Center for Race and Gender, a research unit dedicated to the systematic study of Othering Islam and Muslims. Prof. Bazian in Spring 2012 launched the Islamophobia Studies Journal, which is published bi-annually through a collaborative effort between the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project of the Center for Race and Gender at the University of California at Berkeley, the Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Initiative for the School of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University; the Center for Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union, the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding at the University of South Australia, and Zaytuna College. In addition to academic work, Dr, Bazian is a weekly columnist for the Turkish Daily Sabah Newspaper and Turkey Agenda online magazine. Dr. Bazian is founder and national Chair of American Muslims for Palestine, board member of the Islamic Scholarship Fund, Muslim Legal Fund of America, President of Dollar for Deen Charity, and Chair of Northern California Islamic Council.

Mohammed Abdul Baseer is an engineer and a former president of Islamic Society of East Bay (ISEB) in Fremont. He has been active in the Bay Area Muslim community for since the early 1990s. Br. Baseer and his family live in Fremont.

Youth Halaqa & Iftar
2023-04-07 18:00 - 21:30
For our middle and high school girls & boys (ages 12 to 18), please join us on the first three Fridays in Ramadan for a program just for you: pray Asr in the congregation, listen to a special guest youth halaqa speaker, and enjoy a yummy dinner for Iftar.
Stick around and pray Isha/Taraweeh at 9:15 p.m.
Pre-halaqa attendance is required. Teens may not come for Iftar only.

– Friday, March 24: 5:45 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 6 p.m., halaqa begins at 6:15 p.m. Maghrib at 7:27 p.m.RSVP at https://mcceastbay.org/youth-1 (opens on Wed., March 22)
– Friday, March 31: 6 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 6:15 p.m., halaqa begins at 6:30 p.m. Maghrib at 7:33 p.m.RSVP at https://mcceastbay.org/youth-2 (opens on Sunday, March 26)
– Friday, April 7: 6 p.m. Asr prayer, check-in at 6:15 p.m.. halaqa begins at 6:30 p.m.; Maghrib at 7:39 p.m.RSVP at https://mcceastbay.org/youth-3 (opens on Sunday, April 2)

The schedule is:

5:45 p.m. – Asr prayer in Prayer Hall
6 p.m. – Check-in begins and teens take a seat in the Conference Room
6:15 p.m. – Halaqa begins in the Conference Room

Check-in / icebreaker
Fiqh of Fasting Workshop (1 hour)
Q&A (10 mins)

~7:25 pm (maghrib: 7:30) Teens go into the banquet hall
~7:40 p.m. – Iftar
8:15 p.m. – Jeopardy game based on fasting workshop
9 p.m. – Isha & Youth Taraweeh
10 p.m. – Group dhikr: istighfar and salawat -Discussion circles –Setting goals during Ramadan -Popcorn du’a

Nominal $5/youth cost to have an accurate number of attendees. MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any event held at MCC. For a code, please message scholarship@mcceastbay.org.
Iftar times in Ramadan 2023 at mcceastbay.org/timetable
The youth halaqa is held in the MCC Conference Room. The Iftars are held in the Banquet Hall.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Youth Qiyam
2023-04-07 23:15 - 2023-04-08 06:00
For our middle and high school girls & boys (ages 12 to 18), please join us post-Taraweeh prayers for a special night of brotherhood and sisterhood open to all youth. We’ll start with reflections, discussion, and prayer throughout the night. We’ll end with complementary suhoor & Fajr prayer.

Friday, April 7 | 11:15 p.m. to 6 a.m. | Conference Room | In person only | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/youth-qiyam

*Once registration is full, please join the waitlist*

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Kids' Ramadan Craft Activities
2023-04-08 13:30
For ages 4 to 12, join Sister Emira Mustafa for craft-filled Saturday afternoons this Ramadan where our kids create beautiful Ramadan crafts.

Saturdays, March 25th, April 1st, 8th & 15th | 1:30 p.m. | Ages 4 to 12 | Conference Room | $25/session or $90 for all four | Register at mcceastbay.org/ramadan-kids

Activities on Saturday, March 25th:

– 30 Acts of Kindness Challenge

Activities on Saturday, April 1st:

– Moon Phases Ramadan Decorations

Activities on Saturday, April 8th:

– Framed Copper Embossing

Activities on Saturday, April 15th:

– Eid Mubarak Door Wreath or Wooden Plaque Sign

These are parent-and-me activities. Parents are required to stay and monitor children throughout the event. Only registered children receive materials for the projects. Sessions are capped at 100 children per session.

Note: No refunds due to the purchase of materials specific to each program. Otherwise, seat may be transferred.

MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attaining spiritual or practical knowledge from any event or class held within the community center. To request a financial waiver, message scholarship@mcceastbay.org

About the Facilitator:

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

She has published two workbooks available 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.

Here is one of her crafting videos on how to make a Rustic Eid Twinkle Light Banner: https://youtu.be/J8xIJOTy5dM

– More Sr. Emira: https://mcceastbay.org/emira

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Community Iftar
2023-04-08 19:20 - 21:00
For the first three Saturdays in Ramadan, join your fasting brothers and sisters for MCC’s community iftar and stay afterward for worship. Limited space. RSVP is required for this Iftar (registration opens Saturday prior to each iftar).
Come join us to pray and break bread in the community. Capped at 300 guests each week.
A nominal $3/person registration is required so that we can have the right amount of food available. Please join the waitlist once the Iftar goes full.
*Children under the age of 5 do not need a ticket.*
MCC is a green masjid. Please bring your own water bottles to reduce the use of disposable cups.
Please cancel your RSVP at any time if you cannot make the Iftar so your fasting brother & sister can join us. Message operations@mccastbay.org

– Saturday, March 25: Register at https://mcceastbay.org/iftar-1 (opens at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22nd)
– Saturday, April 1: Register at https://mcceastbay.org/iftar-2 (opens at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 26th)
– Saturday, April 8: Register at https://mcceastbay.org/iftar-3 (opens at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 2nd)

MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending its events and actitvities. To request a financial waiver to attend, please message scholarship@mcceastbay.org
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Weekly Ramadan Women's Dhikr Circle | Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi
2023-04-09 10:00 - 12:00
Join Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi every Sunday in Ramadan (except the last one) for weekly in-person women-only dhikr circles filled with recitation, reflection, and Salawat.

This Sisters Healing & Du’ah Circle supports sisters experiencing grief/loss, marital challenges, parenting challenges, health challenges, caring for elderly parents/loved ones, isolation, etc.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Sundays, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9 | Conference Room | Free; no registration needed

– More Ustadha Hosai: https://mcceastbay.org/hosai

– ‘Purification of the Heart Series: (Women): https://mcceastbay.org/muslimah-purification

– ‘Purification of the Heart Series: (Adults): https://mcceastbay.org/heart-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

Schedule

– Welcome

– Recitation of Ratib al-Shahr wird

– Recitation of Surah Yasin

– Dhikr

– Salawat

– Short reflection (khatira)

After this monthly gathering, MCC hosts a children’s story-time: https://mcceastbay.org/storytime

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Ramadan Weekly Storytime on Sundays | Khala Sahar
2023-04-09 12:00 - 13:00
Every Sunday in Ramadan, Khala Sahar reads and entertains our young children in an engaging hour for ages 2 to 10 with a fun Islamic theme.12 p.m. to 1 p.m. | Sundays, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, & 4/16 | Conference Room | In-person only, no live-stream option | Free; no registration needed

RAMADAN WEEKLY STORYTIME ON SUNDAYS!

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

Sunday, April 2, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 9, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 16, from 12 p.m. to 1 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 collect 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

Ramadan Weekly Storytime on Sundays | Khala Sahar
2023-04-09 13:00 - 14:00
Every Sunday in Ramadan, Khala Sahar reads and entertains our young children in an engaging hour for ages 2 to 10 with a fun Islamic theme.1 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Sundays, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, & 4/16 | Conference Room | Join in-person or watch online at https://mcceastbay.org/live | Free; no registration needed

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 collect 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

Tafseer of Surah Yaseen
2023-04-09 13:45 - 14:45
Sunday, March 26 | 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | Join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

Every Sunday afternoon, Shaykh Talal will lead us through Surah Yaseen, unfolding the lines, stories, and lessons we can benefit from.

-Sunday, March 26

-Sunday, April 2

-Sunday, April 9

-Sunday, April 16

-More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal

Shaykh Talal Ahdab serves on the MA faculty at Zaytuna College. He pursued a rigorous and structured classical curriculum with Islamic authorities, focusing on Islamic theology, epistemology, ontology, language, jurisprudence, and legal theory. Over the last twenty years, he has taught the Islamic disciplines to senior students and professors of Islamic studies. His research interests include exploring how modern challenges can be addressed through Islam’s rich tradition of knowledge and scholarship. Shaykh Talal is fluent in Arabic. Shaykh Talal joined the Zaytuna College faculty in the Fall of 2017.

More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal

Tafseer of Surah Yaseen
2023-04-09 13:45 - 14:45
Every Sunday | 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | Join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

Every Sunday afternoon, Shaykh Talal will lead us through Surah Yaseen, unfolding the lines, stories, and lessons we can benefit from.

-More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal-Previous sessions: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/tafseer-yaseen

Shaykh Talal Ahdab serves on the MA faculty at Zaytuna College. He pursued a rigorous and structured classical curriculum with Islamic authorities, focusing on Islamic theology, epistemology, ontology, language, jurisprudence, and legal theory. Over the last twenty years, he has taught the Islamic disciplines to senior students and professors of Islamic studies. His research interests include exploring how modern challenges can be addressed through Islam’s rich tradition of knowledge and scholarship. Shaykh Talal is fluent in Arabic. Shaykh Talal joined the Zaytuna College faculty in the Fall of 2017.

More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal

Fasting & Zakat for Children
2023-04-09 14:30 - 15:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5uOcNKO-5ou0026feature=youtu.be

*Please note the time change for this Sunday. The session will begin at 2:30 p.m. PST.*
Children’s Author Aisha Gray Henry, the charismatic founder of the Ghazali’s Children Project, talks to our children about the timeless teachings of Al Ghazali in this two-part Ramadan workshop series:

April 2: the special things about fasting that you never knew
April 9: a surprising story about how children can participate in Zakat (charity)

Sundays | 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST | Free | Register at mcceastbay.org/ghazali-workshop
Sponsored by Fons Vitae and MCC East Bay.
Watch: ‘Polishing the Heart’ – a major new documentary on the Ghazali Children’s Project documentary and Muslim children’s education.

Trailer: (2 mins) YouTube.com/watch?v=Czwvo-pERRk
Documentary: (29 mins) https://conta.cc/3bHoUh2
More Sister Virginia Gray Henry: https://mcceastbay.org/aisha

Parents are encouraged to join their children. Children of any age may join. The sessions are especially recommended for children 6 to 9. Sr. Aisha also highly encourages parents to have “The Book of Knowledge for Children” on hand during these sessions. Purchase the series here.
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf says about this book: “This work can help our Muslim children have a more humane and universal understanding of the ethics and teachings of Islam through Imam al-Ghazali. I believe the work is highly relevant and very likely life-altering for those who will be exposed to it early.”

Watch Sister Aisha’s visit to the MCC Sunday School here.

About the Author
Aisha Gray-Henry is the Founder and Director of the charitable foundation and publishing company Fons Vitae. Fons Vitae is currently engaged in the monumental task of bringing out Ghazali’s Ihya in readable English for parents and teachers and adapting it to accommodate children’s workbooks, school curricula, and an instructional DVD. The Book of Knowledge and The Principles of the Creed educational sets are available and used internationally, with Purity and Prayer nearing completion. Included is a children’s interactive website, HTTP://GhazaliChildren.org, a pilot school project, and a prison program. Translations into Urdu, Arabic, and Malay are underway. The Fons Vitae Ghazali Project has been launched with great acclaim in Morocco, Canada, Indonesia, England, and the USA.
Who is Al Ghazali?
An alchemist is a person who can create gold from base metals. It is a quest as old as legend. The truth is that alchemy exists, but not of base metals, but of the human heart.
Imam al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE) is probably one of the greatest alchemists ever. And in an epoch where the human condition is in its direst straits, never more has there been a need for the chemistry of Imam al-Ghazali.
A theologian, jurist, philosopher, mystic, and polymath, Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali is not only ranked amongst Islam’s finest scholars but is one of mankind’s finest students of the human condition. Known as Algazel to the medieval world, he was born in Tus, the Khorasan province of ancient Persia.
When he had the academic world at his feet in his early thirties, he spurned fame and fortune to go into a mode of self-denial and spiritual seclusion that lasted for many years.
Already an acknowledged master of Holy Law, he re-entered society as a practiced Sufi – a true gnostic. A genius, Imam al-Ghazali was fully proficient in Greek and Roman philosophy, and he debunked its central tenets, proving that Revelation was always going to be superior to human reason. Human thinking could never evolve, he wrote, in an existential vacuum.
All this prompted him to write his magnum opus, the Ihya ‘Ulumad-Din (the Revival of the Religious Sciences). Today, it is regarded as one of the classic works on the human psyche. In the Ihya the author explains how to turn one’s base instincts and desires into the golden ideal.
Today’s modern world – devolved of spirituality and fraught with destructive ills such as materialism, multi-national greed, and violence – needs people like Imam al-Ghazali. This is because Imam al-Ghazali teaches a way to balance the body and soul, thus allowing us to reconcile modernity with spirituality in its broadest and most universal sense. (Source: Dome Publishers)
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Fourth-Annual Special Needs Iftar
2023-04-09 18:15 - 20:30
For San Francisco Bay Area families raising children with special needs, join us for MCC’s fourth-annual Iftar.

6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Sunday, April 9 | Register at: https://mcceastbay.org/special-iftar

Schedule:

– 6:15 p.m. – Asr prayer

– 6:30 p.m. – Pre-Iftar halaqa in Conference Room with Br. Ahmed Alkubaisi, and Br. Abdullah Mojaddidi.

– 7:20 p.m. – Walk out to the Banquet Hall to socialize and reflect before breaking the fast with dates.

– 7:41 p.m. – Maghrib prayer in Prayer Hall

– 7:54 p.m. – Iftar in Banquet Hall

– 9:15 p.m. – Isha/Taraweeh prayers

Questions? help@mcceastbay.org

– More Muhsen co-sponsored events at MCC: https://mcceastbay.org/muhsen

Learn more about how we are privileged to accommodate our special needs community: https://mcceastbay.org/accommodating-disabilities

Parents/caregivers took a break to socialize and learn about resources while all our special-needs guests received personalized one-on-one attention with MCC youth. The panelists are Br. Ahmed Alkubaisi and Br. Abdullah Mojaddedi.

Alhamdulillah, since 2017, the MCC East Bay has been proud to be the first masjid on the West Coast to be certified as special-needs friendly. In 2019, MCC East Bay became the first gold-certified masjid in California. We are working hard now to become the first platinum-certified masjid on the West Coast.

Watch an event recap of a prior special needs event: https://youtu.be/gOWgE2aS3gc

This Iftar is in partnership with Muhsen.

Questions or accommodation requests? Contact us at help@mcceastbay.org

Below is a list of practices that are approved and endorsed by MUHSEN (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs) in order to facilitate inclusion and accommodation at MCC events for individuals and families with special needs.

– Accommodations for separate registration or check-in lines to avoid long wait times

– Nearby accessible parking accommodations

– Ample aisle space in halls/venues to maneuver wheelchairs in and out

– Sign Language Interpreter for programs

– Accessible seating near front and sides of hall with ease of access

– Front of hall reserved, designated seating specifically for guests who are Deaf to see ASL Interpreter

– Ramp/lifts/elevators provided throughout the venue as appropriate including the stage

– Specialized childcare arrangements for children with disabilities provided by capable, trained volunteers

– Captions on media/videos shown where ASL Interpreter is not available

– Ushering for guests with special needs

MUHSEN Ramadan 2022 Volunteer Sign up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHiuyK2n2XO8bkxSjjAO_IgN_hQ5V5DMJWEI3TsPNja3oHBw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Convert Iftar
2023-04-09 18:30 - 20:30
For our convert sisters and brothers in the Bay Area only, whether this is your first Ramadan or fiftieth, join us for a special Iftar just for you. Bring your family & close friends as we celebrate this blessed month of Ramadan together.

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Sunday, April 9 | Free; rsvp required | MCC East Bay | RSVP at https://mcceastbay.org/convert-iftar

Questions? mentorship@mcceastbay.org

– How MCC supports reverts: https://mcceastbay.org/convert-care

– Recordings of educational talks for reverts playlist: https://mcceastbay.org/after-shahada

– Shahadah moments at the MCC: https://mcceastbay.org/shahada

Learn more about how the MCC supports new(er) brothers & sisters in faith in the Bay Area here and watch past recordings of talks here.

Odd-Night Program & Suhoor
2023-04-11 23:30 - 2023-04-12 06:00, 2023-04-13 23:45 - 2023-04-14 06:00
On every odd night in the blessed last ten nights of Ramadan, join us after Taraweeh ends at about 11:15 p.m. in the MCC Prayer Hall for special Qur’an recitation, zikr (devotional acts), Salat Tasbeeh, time for individual worship, advice, nasheed, and a free community Suhoor meal before Fajr prayer in congregation.

The blessed Laylat al-Qadr 27th night is on Monday, April 17. The Qur’an Khatam completion in Taraweeh begins at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19.

Qari Amar Bellaha and a special guest speaker facilitate the nightly odd-night program. No RSVP is needed to attend Qiyam. RSVP is required for Suhoor (please see below).

– 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. | Tuesday, April 11 (21st night) | Special Guest Speaker: Ustadh Mahdy Amine

– 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. | Thursday, April 13 (23rd night) | Special Guest Speaker: Ustadh Mahdy Amine

– 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. | Saturday, April 15 (25th night) | Special Guest Speaker: Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi

– 11:30 p.m. to 5:35 a.m. | Monday, April 17 (27th night)* | Special Guest Speaker: Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie

– 11:30 p.m. to 5:35 a.m. | Wednesday, April 19 (29th night)** | Special Guest Speaker: Ustadh Mahdy Amine*Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power)**Qur’an Khatam Night During Taraweeh prayer at 9:30 p.m.

Suhoor Meals:

The community Suhoors are being hosted by groups in the MCC congregation:

– Tuesday, April 11 (21st night): Senior Afghan sisters who pray at Taraweeh

– Thursday, April 13 (23rd night): Sisters and brothers of Hyderabadi descent

– Saturday, April 15 (25th night): Sisters and brothers of South Indian descent

– Monday, April 17 (27th night): Sisters and brothers of Pakistani descent

– Wednesday, April 19 (29th night): Sisters and brothers of Arab descent

Please join us for a Suhoor meal (RSVP required) in the early mornings of:

Wednesday, April 12 (RSVP at mcceastbay.org/suhoor-1)

Friday, April 14 (RSVP at mcceastbay.org/suhoor-2)

Sunday, April 16 (RSVP at mcceastbay.org/suhoor-3)

Tuesday, April 18 (RSVP at mcceastbay.org/suhoor-4)

Thursday, April 20 (RSVP at mcceastbay.org/suhoor-5)

To help sponsor the cost of a Suhoor or Iftar meal at the MCC this Ramadan, please visit https://mcceastbay.org/ramadan-meals

To join the limited space for Itikaf at MCC in the last ten days, please register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/itikaf

Odd Nights Program Schedule:

Tuesday, April 11:

Taraweeh (9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)

Break (15 min)

Talk by Sidi Mahdy, Salat Tasbeeh, & Dua (11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)

Break (90 min)

Qiyam (3 a.m. to 4 a.m.)

Suhoor

Thursday, April 13:

Taraweeh (9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)

Break (15 min)

Talk by Sidi Mahdy, Salat Tasbeeh, & Dua (11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)

Break (90 min)

Qiyam (3 a.m. to 4 a.m.)

Suhoor

Saturday, April 15:

Taraweeh (9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)

Break (15 min)

Talk by Ustadh Feraidoon, Salat Tasbeeh, & Dua (11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)

Break (90 min)

Qiyam (3 a.m. to 4 a.m.)

Suhoor

Monday, April 17:

Taraweeh (9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)

Break (15 min)

Talk by Dr. Ali Ataie, Salat Tasbeeh, & Dua (11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)

Break (90 min)

Qiyam (3 a.m. to 4 a.m.)

Suhoor

Wednesday, April 19:

Taraweeh (9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)

Break (15 min)

Talk by Sidi Mahdy, Mawlid/Nasheed, Salat Tasbeeh, & Dua (11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)

Break (90 min)

Qiyam (3 a.m. to 4 a.m.)

Suhoor

More details:

– Ramadan ’23 Iqama & Events calendar: https://mcceastbay.org/timetable

– Odd nights program schedule: https://mcceastbay.org/odd-night

– Watch Ramadan reflections: https://mcceastbay.org/reflections

– Watch Ramadan reminders: https://mcceastbay.org/ramadan-reminders

– More Qari Amar: https://mcceastbay.org/amar

– More Sidi Mahdy: https://mcceastbay.org/mahdy

– More Sidi Feraidoon: https://mcceastbay.org/feraidoon

– More Dr. Ataie: https://mcceastbay.org/ali

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Itikaf (Seclusion in the Masjid) in Last Ten Days of Ramadan begins
2023-04-12 19:00 - 19:30
Itikaf means to be in isolation in a Masjid or at home to dedicate your time to the worship of Allah (SWT).Due to limited space, Itikaf is only for worshipers who pray regularly at MCC. Please register at: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/itikaf

*Canceled* MCC Girl Daisy & Brown Scouts 322239 Sells Cookies @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2023-04-14 13:30 - 16:00
Our little Tri-Valley Muslimahs in Girl Scouts Troop hosted a backpack and toy drives for our community’s most deserving families.

We now sweetly support these young girls: by purchasing cookies for you and your family this Friday. Girl Scout cookies are now halal-certified.

You can also gift a cookie box to needy families served by the MCC Food Pantry by purchasing a box after Jumu’ah and placing the cookies in the Toy bin in the MCC lobby. The cookies will be gifted from parents of Zakat-eligible families to their children on Eid morning.

MCC supports our Girl Scouts Troops that we proudly host in their annual cookie sales to support educational programming, community projects, and more.

Questions? girl-scouts@mcceastbay.org

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC
2023-04-14 13:30 - 16:00
For our Jumu’ah services on Friday, April 14, masks are optional to attend any MCC service, and no RSVP is necessary:

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Shaykh Talal Ahdab 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.

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– To be determined speaker 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.

3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Sidi Shaan Mukhtar delivers this sermon.

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

Please attend at 2:30 or 3:40 p.m. to avoid heavier first-service congestion whenever possible. Masks are optional.

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

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

– More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal

– More Sidi Shaan: https://mcceastbay.org/shaan

For parents attending with young children indoors, MCC offers private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while in the company of other parents with young children. The mothers/fathers prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Alameda County Health Department reports COVID-19 cases are still happening. We remain indoors for the five daily prayers and three Jumu’ah services as long as health officials deem it safe. All the Jumu’ah prayers are indoors in the MCC Prayer Hall. Learn more at https://mcceastbay.org/prayer

Shaykhh Talal Ahdab serves on the MA faculty at Zaytuna College. He pursued a rigorous and structured classical curriculum with Islamic authorities, focusing on Islamic theology, epistemology, ontology, language, jurisprudence, and legal theory. Over the last twenty years, he has taught the Islamic disciplines to senior students and professors of Islamic studies. His research interests include exploring how modern challenges can be addressed through Islam’s rich tradition of knowledge and scholarship. Shaykh Talal is fluent in Arabic. Shaykh Talal joined the Zaytuna College faculty in Fall of 2017.

More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal

Sidi Mahdy Amine is a Zaytuna College alumnus and practicing attorney. He also teaches Islamic Studies at ILM Tree and he serves as Convert Care Coordinator for Ta’leef Collective. “I want people to feel the true beauty of Islam when they encounter Ta’leef. Was not our Prophet (upon him peace and blessings) the radiant embodiment of outer and inner beauty? One who saw him was in awe, and one who knew him fell in love. I hope Taleef translates that experiential beauty to a relevant American context while honoring the ethos and principles of the rich Islamic tradition.” Ustadh Mahdy Amine was born and raised in Chicago. Attending Universal School, he served as captain of the high school basketball team, then graduated from Loyola University Chicago at the age of 19 with a double bachelor in economics and political science, and after that from the University of Minnesota School of Law-all while serving as President of the Muslim Students Association at each respective institution. Concurrent with his studies and work, Mahdy helped found CAIR Chicago, has been teaching for nearly 20 years, and served as a member of the band Noorification, which released two albums, and four music videos, and performed at over 100 national and international venues. Mahdy is married, has three little girls, and is blessed to be a survivor. In 2012, Mahdy resigned from his job as Corporate Counsel for Dell Corporation to attend Zaytuna College, the first-ever accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the US, graduating with the first class in 2014. He then visited and studied briefly in Tarim, Yemen. Mahdy currently works as Senior Vice President, General Counsel of a global cancer diagnostic and research laboratory, teaches Islamic Studies at Ilm Tree, a home school co-op in Lafayette, CA, regularly delivers sermons at various communities, and serves as Convert Care Coordinator at Ta’leef Collective in Fremont, California.

More Sidi Mahdi: https://mcceastbay.org/mahdy

Sidi Shaan Mukhtar was raised in the MCC community and from a young age had been involved in youth programs throughout the Bay Area. He has helped start various high school MSA and youth Halaqas at different mosques. He is currently a senior at UC Davis where he is finishing up his undergraduate degree.

– More Sidi Shaan: https://mcceastbay.org/shaan

– More sessions for Muslim teenagers: https://mcceastbay.org/teens
