MCC East Bay

Saturday Morning Flag Football Sessions for Boys
2025-09-27 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.

Lead the Way!: How to Serve On Your City's Local Boards & Commissions | Moina Shaiq (Bay Area Muslim Council)
2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join a longtime East Bay-based Community Activist and Civic Leader, Moina Shaiq, to learn how to apply for city and county boards, understand their roles and responsibilities, and explore ways to make a meaningful impact through public service.
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Saturday, Sep. 27 | MCC Conference Room | Free | Join us in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Moina Shaiq is an East Bay-based community activist and civic leader recognized for promoting inclusion, fostering interfaith dialogue, and encouraging political engagement.
She helped shape the policies & projects that affect our everyday lives, as well as connected with local officials and neighbors.
For under 10 hours a month in local civic leadership, you too can leave a lasting and meaningful legacy. Join us to learn how to apply.
This workshop is open to all who want to strengthen Muslim representation and advocacy in decision-making spaces. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks.
Sponsored by Bay Area Muslim Council & MCC East Bay.
The Bay Area Muslim Council’s mission is to empower local Muslim representation in politics 🗳️🤝. From city councils to school boards, they’re building a future where Muslim voices are not only heard — but lead. 💪🏽📢 They focus on community organizing, civic education, and coalition building across the Bay Area 🤲🏽🌁. They’re here to ensure our communities are informed, mobilized, and represented in the places where decisions are made.

About the Speaker:
Moina Shaiq is a longtime community activist and civic leader in the East Bay, California. Since immigrating from Pakistan in 1978, she has dedicated herself to strengthening democracy through civic engagement, interfaith dialogue, and public service. She founded the Muslim Support Network and is best known for her “Meet a Muslim” initiative, which fosters open conversations to break down stereotypes and build trust. Moina has served on numerous city and county boards and commissions, advocating for inclusion, equity, and representation. Her work highlights the importance of everyday citizens stepping into civic and political spaces to create lasting change.
Bay Area Muslim Council (BAMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating civic-minded Muslim Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through education, leadership training, and community partnerships, they prepare individuals to serve on local boards, commissions, and civic initiatives, while building bridges across diverse communities.
Their mission is to foster ethical leadership, strengthen representation, and promote service that benefits the common good. By investing in leaders at the neighborhood level and creating pathways for long-term civic engagement, they aim to ensure that Muslim Americans are recognized not only as part of the civic fabric but as leaders who give back and contribute to the well-being and progress of all.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Bay Area Muslim Council’s mission is to empower local Muslim representation in politics 🗳️🤝. From city councils to school boards, they’re building a future where Muslim voices are not only heard — but lead. 💪🏽📢 They focus on community organizing, civic education, and coalition building across the Bay Area 🤲🏽🌁. They’re here to ensure our communities are informed, mobilized, and represented where decisions are made.

Please also join the Bay Area Muslim Council for an inspiring evening of Empowering Hyperlocal Representation with influential voices shaping civic action and political change!
📅 Saturday, October 4, 2025
📍 Fremont, CA | 🕔 5:00 PM
🎤 Featuring:
• Mehdi Hasan – Founder of Zeteo
• Josh Paul – Former US Official
• Lateefah Simon – US Representative
• Imam Tahir Anwar – Civic Leader
✅ Register now at BAMCouncil.org/RSVP
#BayAreaMuslims #CivicEngagement #Representation #communitypower

Monthly Sisters' Mawlid
2025-09-27 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
– Saturday, Sep. 27, 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.

Monthly Special Needs Support Circle | Clinician Wajma Nasir (Virtual)
2025-09-27 14:00 - 15:30 | mcceastbay.org/wellness-circle
For parents, families, and caregivers of individuals with special needs, join us every third Saturday of the month for a wellness circle with a trained Maristan clinician. We will discuss challenges, resources, and strategies for providing the best care for our families and ourselves.
These wellness circles provide a safe space for caregivers with special needs to connect and share their experiences. It allows caregivers to share their joys and frustrations, ask questions, form friendships, and more.
Saturday, Sep. 27 | 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Virtual only, session will not be recorded | RSVP at mcceastbay.org/wellness-circle
Co-sponsored by Muhsen, Maristan, & MCC East Bay
These special needs wellness circles are held every second Saturday of the month (dates might change depending on the clinician’s availability):
Saturday, June 14
Saturday, July 26
Saturday, August 16
Saturday, September 27
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Wajma Nasir is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She graduated from University of San Francisco with a Masters in Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is currently employed at Wellness Together, a non-profit organization that provides school – based therapy services. She specializes in serving children grades TK to 6th grade. She utilizes modalities such as ACT, CBT and solution focused in order to serve the needs of her clients. She is a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor.

Exploring AI Together: Insights, Stories, and Live Experiences | MCC East Bay AI Program Event
2025-09-27 19:00 - 20:45 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us for an inspiring evening that combines expert insights, student stories, live demos, and interactive discussions to deepen your understanding and engagement with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whether you’re a beginner curious about AI, a developer, or serious about immersing yourself in the topic, this talk welcomes everyone.
Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7 p.m. to 8:45 pm (Maghrib to Isha) | MCC Conference Room | Join us in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
We will learn:

Decode the Transformer:

Watch a clear, engaging walkthrough of the Transformer architecture, the powerhouse behind modern AI models, explained by experts in accessible, real-world terms.

Community Success Stories:

Hear firsthand how two of your peers leveraged AI in their personal and professional journeys, showcasing real-world impact from our own community.

Try Cutting-Edge AI Demos:

Interact with state-of-the-art models and agents in action. Test their abilities on meaningful tasks and see AI’s possibilities in real time.

Interactive Q&A + Strategy

Ask your burning questions, share your perspective, and take away tangible guidance for how to “ride the AI wave” while grounding yourself in AI fundamentals.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Muslimah Girls Flag Football Team
2025-09-28 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.

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (in-person & virtual) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2025-09-29 11:00 - 12:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join our weekly sisters’ in-person & virtual Seerah book club, where we have an active discussion, take away lessons for our daily lives, and inshaAllah fall in love with the Prophet ﷺ. This year, we are reading from Our Lady Fatima al-Zahra (R.A.) by Muhammad Abduh Yamani.

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

Event Details:

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

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

Book Purchase:

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

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

For those local in the Bay Area:

Rumi Bookstore
Zaytuna Bookstore

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

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

Mommy and Me Fall '25 Session | MCC's Mommy & Me Program
2025-10-02 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

Maitri Bay Area Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2025-10-03 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.

———–
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Let’s remember that Islam enjoins kindness and mercy and forbids oppression.
Domestic violence happens everywhere all the time and affects everyone. Women are the principal victims. Help us bring awareness.
During the MCC Jumu’ah services this month, MCC will invite various local Bay Area DV organizations to table. Our Khutbahs will also focus on raising awareness of domestic violence.

Asian Women Shelter Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2025-10-03 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Arab Women Services, a branch of Asian Women Services, provides support services to Arab Speakers who are survivors of Domestic Violence. Visit their table this Friday to learn more about how you can support their efforts.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Rosewood
2025-10-03 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, Oct. 3, 2025:

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

Sidi Ahmed Khan delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

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

Sidi Hashim Mir 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.

Sidi Mahdy Amine 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 only a five-minute drive from MCC.

Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. The District graciously provides the MCC congregation a limited number of parking space. 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 Sidi Ahmed: https://mcceastbay.org/ahmed-khan
– Ustadh Mohammed: http://mcceastbay.org/mohammed
– Ustadh Mahdy: mcceastbay.org/mahdy

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

Invitation! Interfaith Worship Experience Visit MCC | Sidi Mahdy Amine
2025-10-03 15:40 - 16:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Interfaith Worship Experience Visit:

Muslim Community Center East Bay
Friday Prayer, October 3, 2025 at 3:40pm
5724 West Las Positas Blvd.,#300, Pleasanton

Please arrive by 3:30 p.m. to find parking in the MCC parking lot.* Overflow parking is in the Pleasanton Unified School District parking lot next door. Volunteers will be stationed in the parking lot to direct you. Modest clothing requested. There will be head scarves available for women who wish to wear one. You can choose to sit on the ground or seats in the Prayer Hall for the 20-minute sermon. The congregation stands for prayer at 4 p.m. followed by community announcements. Afterwards, there will be light refreshments and an opportunity to meet with Mahdy Amine and some MCC outreach members in the Banquet Hall.

Flyer attached.

If you would like to attend: RSVP to interfaith.interconnect@gmail.com.

*Parking lot map: http://mcceastbay.org/district

Interfaith Interconnect is offering this series of visits to allow members of our different faith communities share their traditional worship services. All are welcome. We hope you can join us on October 3rd!

Marcia Elchesen, Coordinator
and the Interfaith Interconnect Leadership Committee
2025 Oct3 MCC Friday Prayer Interfaith Visit

"Allah Tested Me With Basketball" Dribbling Down Barriers: Basketball & Faith | Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir
2025-10-03 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Meet the first hijabi to beat President Barack Obama in a pickup basketball game.

Join us for an empowering evening with trailblazing athlete and activist Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir (the first Muslim woman to play NCAA basketball in a hijab), where young girls will be inspired by her powerful story to embrace their identities, pursue their passions, and break barriers in sports and beyond.
Bilqis will share her inspiring journey as a former Division I basketball player, record-breaking high school athlete, and founder of the Muslim Girls Hoop Too movement.
Friday, October 3, 2025 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | MCC Prayer Hall | Free; join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Bilqis will lead a Girls Basketball Clinic for girls ages 12-17. Register for the clinic here: https://mcceastbay.org/event/basketball-clinic/
About Bilqis
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir is a trailblazer in the world of Islamic education and women’s rights. She is the first Muslim woman to play NCAA Division I basketball while wearing a hijab, making her an inspiration to people of all ages. Bilqis has spoken and shared her personal story on national stages, including The White House and The United Nations, and has also been featured in multiple publications and appeared on TV shows.
Throughout her career as a basketball player and later as a public speaker and activist, Bilqis has consistently emphasized the importance of representation, being a positive role model, and paving the way for the next generation of Muslim women athletes. She has dedicated her time to empowering and inspiring young girls and women to reach their full potential and overcome any barriers that may stand in their way.
Nowadays, Bilqis continues to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports, actively working on increasing access to sports for Muslim girls and women. She is also a motivational speaker who encourages young girls and women to pursue their dreams, tackle obstacles, and make history in any field they choose.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Bilqis’s talk is part of MCC’s monthly Family Night series, where we invite insightful American Muslims who are making a positive impact on our community.

Women's Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa | The Rahmah Foundation
2025-10-03 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 women’s gathering on Friday evenings to discuss navigating contemporary issues. This program runs in parallel to the Friday night girl’s halaqa.

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

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

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

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mommy and Me Fall '25 Session | MCC's Mommy & Me Program
2025-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For our Toddlers and Preschoolers (ages 1-5): Join us on Saturday mornings for a Mommy & Me session where children will develop a love for Islam, Allah (swt), and RasulAllah (saw) through book reading, sing-alongs, Parachute Time, activities, and more!
Saturday, October 4 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Prayer Hall | $20 per session | Register at mcceastbay.org/happyhearts
These Mommy & Me sessions are designed for girls and boys ages one to four who are accompanied by a female guardian. Moms, grandmothers, and so on are welcome. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other moms and caretakers in the MCC community.
Our Mommy and Me sessions begin with dua and a salaam/greeting song and end with the Fi-Amanillah song and kid-favorite parachute time.
Questions? Happy Hearts Playgroup Facilitator Sr. Khadija at mommyandme@mcceastbay.org
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any activity held in the community center. To request a financial waiver, please complete our financial waiver request: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Basketball Clinic with Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir
2025-10-04 11:00 - 14:00
Girls Ages 12-17! Join us on the court with trailblazing athlete and activist Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir (the first Muslim woman to play NCAA basketball in a hijab), for a hands-on basketball clinic focused on building skills, confidence, and leadership.
Participants will practice fundamental skills such as dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. This is a beautiful opportunity for girls to pursue their passions and build meaningful connections with peers, families, and the community.
Come ready to be inspired—and to play!
Saturday, Oct. 4 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Fallon Middle School Gym | Girls Ages 12-17 | $50/person;capped at 50 girls | Register at mcceastbay.org/basketball
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
Sister Belqees will also speak at MCC on Friday night: https://mcceastbay.org/event/basketball-and-faith/
About Bilqis
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir is a trailblazer in the world of Islamic education and women’s rights. She is the first Muslim woman to play NCAA Division I basketball while wearing a hijab, making her an inspiration to people of all ages. Bilqis has spoken and shared her personal story on national stages, including The White House and The United Nations, and has also been featured in multiple publications and appeared on TV shows.
Throughout her career as a basketball player and later as a public speaker and activist, Bilqis has consistently emphasized the importance of representation, being a positive role model, and paving the way for the next generation of Muslim women athletes. She has dedicated her time to empowering and inspiring young girls and women to reach their full potential and overcome any barriers that may stand in their way.
Nowadays, Bilqis continues to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports, actively working on increasing access to sports for Muslim girls and women. She is also a motivational speaker who encourages young girls and women to pursue their dreams, tackle obstacles, and make history in any field they choose.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Inner Dimensions of the Qur’an | Sheikh Mokhtar Maghraoui
2025-10-04 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Amongst the pearls of the Qur’an are those verses which carry profound spiritual importance in addition to their external practical meaning.
In this session, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui will reflect on several Qur’anic verses, exploring how they play a crucial role in our understanding of the process of self-purification and the development of good character.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Saturday, October 4, 2025 | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
The program begins right after Maghrib prayers at 6:49 p.m. We will go until Isha at 8:45 p.m. and then continue after we pray Isha in congregation with 30-minute Q&A after Isha.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui
Originally from Algeria, Shaykh Mokhtar is thoroughly versed in the Islamic sciences and holds a doctorate in physics and engineering. His expertise encompasses the disciplines of Tazkiyah and Fiqh, and he is best known for his enlightening retreats and seminars that empower Muslims on their spiritual journey. His full biography can be found here.
Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui is the main scholar at AlMadina Institute (AlMadina.org).
Originally from Algeria, he is thoroughly versed in the Islamic sciences and holds a doctorate joined between the fields of physics and engineering. His expertise includes the disciplines of Tazkiyah and Fiqh, and he is best known for his enlightening retreats and seminars empowering Muslims on their spiritual quest.

#TeamFajr Monthly Sunday Breakfast & Qur'an Khatam
2025-10-05 06:30 - 07:30 | 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 (6:30 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.”

Monthly Sisterhood Hike | Sisters in the Outdoors
2025-10-05 08:00 - 11:30 | Mt. Diablo State Park
Join us at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, for a hike at Mt. Diablo State Park to get to know other sisters in the community and enjoy the great outdoors. No children, please (female teens, okay). Let us know you are coming: https://mcceastbay.org/rsvp
If sisters want to walk around more, they can do it depending on their interest/time. The hike will be canceled if there are not enough RSVPs or depending on the weather.

– When: Sunday, Oct. 5
– Time: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Please arrive a little early to park and find the group. The group can wait till 8:15 a.m. and will start the hike. Please be on time, since we cannot hold the group.
– Carpool: We highly recommend carpooling. No carpool is available from MCC for this hike. Carpooling encouraged others on this hike. Please note that cell phone service is not available at the parking lot, so we kindly request that you arrive on time.
– Parking: There is a $6 parking fee this time. 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: Macedo Ranch Staging Area
– Trail: Secret Valley Loop
– Distance: 5.9 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 Saturday, Oct. 4, 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:
This trail has numerous vistas of Mt. Diablo, much of the East Bay, and up into Napa Valley. Walking the ridge right after a storm with crystal clear air would make for fantastic views of the East Bay cities. A visit in the spring should be particularly beautiful when the flowers are in bloom.
Watch for mountain bikers on the dirt road portions of this hike.

Sisters' Self-Defense/Boxing/Fitness/Awareness Seminar | Amber Leibrock
2025-10-05 14:00 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Sisters! Join Us for a Sisters-Only Self-Defense / Boxing / Fitness / Awareness Seminar!
Build confidence, discover new ways to move with strength and purpose, and understand how proper safety goes beyond physical techniques. This two-hour self-defense, boxing, fitness, and awareness seminar at MCC East Bay is designed for sisters, whether it’s your first time trying something like this or you’re already on a fitness journey. You’ll leave feeling informed, inspired, and empowered with MCC Fighter Amber Leimbrock.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 5 | Sisters only; ages 12+ only | Conference Room | $20/person | Register at mcceastbay.org/ready
Max 32 attendees.
What to Expect:

– Self-Defense Basics: Learn practical techniques that make a real difference, from protecting yourself in unexpected situations to understanding the power of awareness.
– Boxing & Fitness: Explore movement and skills that build strength and resilience, enhancing physical and mental well-being.
– Safety & Awareness Tips: Real safety isn’t just physical—develop skills in awareness and confidence that extend beyond the gym.
– Please wear comfortable clothes that are movable and can work out. We will be doing close partner-to-partner drills, so make sure the clothing is secure so it doesn’t slip or fall during the workout sessions.

Bring your friends, meet new ones, and join a community of sisters focused on health, growth, and fun. Come as you are, work at your own pace, and leave feeling stronger, more secure, and ready to take on the world.
No experience is needed—just an open mind and a desire to learn and grow!
Please note that the class will start on time. You cannot join the class if you are more than 30 minutes late. Please be respectful of the instructor’s time.
Cancelation policy: If you cannot make it, please let us know ASAP so we can give your spot to the next person on the waitlist. You will not be eligible for a refund if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice.
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never prevent a person from attending any event or class held within the community center. To request a financial waiver, message scholarship@mcceastbay.org
About the Presenter
Amber Leibrock is a mixed martial artist who competes in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Featherweight division. Born and raised in the East Bay, she trains with M.J. Hamid, an MCC congregation member and trainer. After her fight with Larissa Pacheco, she went through a tough time. Br. Hamid introduced her to Islam. She took her Shahadah at MCC on July 21, 2023. Since then, she’s been attending Jumu’ah (Friday prayer services) regularly. Ahead of a fight, ESPN did this profile on Sister Amber. Learn more

“I just see it (Islam) spilling over to my everyday life. How I feel inside, how I feel about myself, how I feel and interact with other people.” – Amber Leibrock in an ESPN fighter profile
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

*Canceled* Fall Arabic Calligraphy Classes | Zubair Simab
2025-10-07 17:00 - 19:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Children & Adults Ages 13+: Join a six-week calligraphy session with Calligrapher Zubair Simab for beginner & intermediate students. The class will be divided into two sessions:

From 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., students can learn the popular Thuluth style of calligraphy. Register for the one-hour session here.
From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., students can learn the Dewani style, 16th-century Ottoman script, which will be offered for the first time! Register here.

In both sessions, students will learn the following:

Understanding of pen, paper, and ink
Preparing the traditional calligraphy pen
Technically analyzing alphabet letters in Thuluth style
Introduction to the fundamentals of composition

Students can attend one or both sessions.
Tuesdays | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Oct. 7 to Nov. 11, 2025 | MCC Banquet Hall | $115.00/session ($35 calligraphy kit, can be purchased separately)
Each session is capped at 20 attendees.
Register at mcceastbay.org/calligraphy
No previous experience is necessary.

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
About the Instructor:
Zubair Simab is a Danville-based and award-winning traditional calligrapher and Silicon Valley engineer. He is an active traditional arts practitioner and teacher in his local community. Zubair has exhibited, lectured, and demonstrated throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. His initial passion for calligraphy was sparked in his birthplace of Kabul, Afghanistan, where he began training in calligraphy as a young boy. Twenty-five years ago, Zubair returned to the serious study and practice of traditional calligraphy. Zubair is influenced by the Afghan and Turkish master calligraphers. His pieces are based on Farsi poetry, verses from the Quran, and traditional Afghan and Arabic proverbs.
http://www.simabcalligraphy.com
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Private Event
2025-10-09 18:30 - 23:00
MCC Conference Room & Banquet Hall

NISA Tables @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2025-10-10 13:30 - 16:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
NISA (North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused), established in 2002, was founded to alleviate challenges related to abuse and domestic violence within the Muslim community. Their primary goal is to reduce incidents of domestic violence and achieve domestic harmony among families through collaborative efforts with the community and other established organizations.
Visit their table this Friday to learn more about their efforts and to support them.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Rosewood
2025-10-10 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, Oct. 10, 2025:

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

Sidi Muhammad Elmarouk delivers this sermon at MCC East Bay

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

Hafiz Atef Arabi 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 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 only a five-minute drive from MCC.

Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. The District graciously provides the MCC congregation a limited number of parking space. 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 Sidi Muhammad Elmarouk: http://mcceastbay.org/muhammad
– More Sidi Atef: http://mcceastbay.org/atef
– 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

Sacred Knowldge Night: Pursuing Islamic Studies in America
2025-10-10 19:00 - 21:00
Many in our community wonder how they can deepen their Islamic studies and pursue knowledge of the deen. But with rising costs, political instability, and many other challenges, where do we turn?
This event will bring together a circle of our younger community’s Imams and students of knowledge under one roof:

– Hafiz Muhammad Elmarouk, who studied at Bayan Islamic Graduate School
– Ustadh Basil Farooq, who studied at Qalam Seminary
– Sidi Ahmed Khan, who studied at Zaytuna College
– Sidi Shaan Mukhtar, who studied at The Islamic Seminary of America (TISA) (Also, the event MC)
– Sidi Hassan Khawaja, who studied at DUA Seminary (Dārul-‘Ulūm al-Ashrafiyya)
– Hafiz Afraz Khan, who studied at AIM Seminary (The Majlis)
– Ustadh Quran Hodge, who studied at Al-Maqasid

Friday, October 10, 2025 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | MCC Prayer Hall | Join us in-person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Seeking Islamic knowledge during dark times is a form of protection. “How to Pursue Islamic Studies in the West” is a valuable information session, particularly for Muslim women and men aspirants (of any age) who have considered pursuing Islamic scholarship alongside another career. The speakers will discuss their experiences at their respective alma maters, including their missions, curricula, teachers, enrollment processes, etc.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The evening will feature:

– Introductions to each seminary: mission, programs, and opportunities for study.
– Guidance on pathways of learning for different stages of life—full-time, part-time, and online.
– Q&A and community discussion on how we can strengthen sacred learning here at home.

This talk, “Studying Islam in America: An Open House with US-Based Islamic Seminaries,” is intended for parents, teens, and young professionals exploring Islamic Study options available in the U.S. and Canada.
Sidi Shaan Mukhtar
Sidi Shaan Mukhtar was born in the Bay Area and raised in the MCC community from a young age. Shaan has actively contributed to establishing MSAs at high schools and community colleges, as well as youth halaqas, at various mosques in the San Francisco Bay Area. Shaan holds a BA in Political Science from UC Davis and has pursued a passion for Islamic learning. He attended the Ilm Tree Homeschooling Cooperative during middle school, where he studied Islamic Sciences under Shaykh Rami Nsour. During college, Shaan took a gap year to study Arabic in Jordan. He is currently pursuing his MA in Islamic Studies at the Islamic Seminary of America (TISA), where he studies alongside senior American Muslim scholars, including Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, Shaykha Tamara Gray, and Dr. James Jones. He currently works in tech and resides in the Bay Area with his wife, where he continues to engage in community building and outreach.
Sidi Muhammad Elmarouk
Hafiz Muhammad Elmarouk is a professional calligrapher and student of knowledge.
He was born and raised in the Bay Area. At the age of 14, he moved overseas to Mauritania, where he memorized the entire Holy Quran. From Mauritania, he traveled to Jordan, where he studied the Islamic sciences and traditional Islamic calligraphy for four years, receiving Ijazas in Tajweed and Hadith narration. From Jordan, he moved to Turkey, where he completed his calligraphy training and studied Fiqh under the guidance of renowned Syrian scholars. Muhammad continues to study privately and has taught the Islamic Sciences for six years. He now resides in Toronto, Canada, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Islamic Theology. Sidi Muhammad trained and competed in BJJ and wrestling for ten years in the USA and Jordan.
Imam Basil Farouq
Ustadh Basil Farouq grew up in the UAE and the Bay Area. He completed memorizing the Quran at the age of 14. Later, he completed his study of the ten canonical qirā’āt of the Quran and received authorization (ijāza) to transmit and teach them at Recite with Love. He completed a BA in Economics and Applied Mathematics from UC Berkeley in 2019 and worked full-time as an economist in the antitrust litigation industry.
Sidi Basil Farouq has pursued higher Islamic education for over five years and is currently an ‘Alimiyyah student at Qalam Institute in Dallas. He has studied Tafsīr, Hadith, Fiqh (Shāfi’ī and Hanafī), Usul al-Fiqh, ‘Aqīda, Tajwīd, ‘Ulum al-Qur’an, and Arabic Literature. He is also conducting research and writing on various topics within Quranic Studies and Tafsīr under the guidance of his teachers. He recently published a short book titled “Within Its Depths: How the Canonical Recitations Affect the Meaning of the Qur’an.”
Hafiz Afraz Khan
Hafiz Afraz Khan is an organizer and faith worker. Upon completing his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, he transitioned into social impact consulting, supporting nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. He now works at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), leading legislative advocacy campaigns across states to help build legal protections in areas such as immigration and free speech. Afraz memorized the Qur’an after 8 years of study and conducts tajweed classes for the local community.
Afraz expanded on his studies by attending Zaytuna College’s Summer Quranic Arabic Intensive, completing a classical Arabic course through Studio Arabiya, and studying under Imam Khalid Latif for several years. He is currently a seminary student at The Majlis in their Community Servants Program. As part of his community work, Afraz serves as a teacher at Lighthouse Mosque in Oakland, where he conducts weekly classes on Qur’anic engagement and spiritual development. He volunteers as a chaplain for incarcerated populations and supports student programming at colleges such as Los Medanos and Stanford. Afraz delivers khutbahs across the Bay Area and has led taraweeh at Berkeley Masjid and Lighthouse Mosque, and has also conducted nightly talks on the lessons in each section of the Qur’an.
Qur’an Hodge
Qur’an Hodge is a Bay Area native. He began his Islamic education in 2019, studying Arabic at the Al Maqasid Seminary in Pennsylvania. Sidi Quran continued to Dar Al Mustafa, a Yemeni Islamic university in Tarim, Hadhramaut. At this Islamic seminary founded by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Sidi Qur’an studied Ibtidaiyya, Hadith, Aqida, Seerah, Nahw, Quran Hifzdh, Kitaba, and Tafseer in classical Arabic. Sidi Quran has completed certificates in Taleef Collective’s Refining the Core and Zaytuna College’s Permaculture Program. He is passionate about creatively working on community issues, particularly the challenges Muslim youth face. He lives with his wife and children in Castro Valley.
Hassan Khawaja
Hassan Khawaja studied Data Science at UC Berkeley. After completing his degree, he worked in corporate for a year before moving to Sacramento, where he helped run a woodworking business with an artist.
Though he had no intention of pursuing Islamic studies, nor had he ever considered it, by Allah ﷻ’s grace, the door to study opened.
He is now in his fifth year of the seven-year ʿĀlimiyya program at DUA Seminary, while also working in the tech field, Alhamdulillāh.

– More Sidi Shaan: http://mcceastbay.org/shaan
– More Sidi Muhammad: http://mcceastbay.org/muhammad
– More Imam Basil: http://mcceastbay.org/basil

Monthly Men's Hike | Mount Diablo State Park
2025-10-11 08:00 - 11:30 | Mt. Diablo State 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, October 11 | 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Mount Diablo State 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 with insufficient RSVPs, depending on the weather.

When: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 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: $6
Meeting Point: Mitchell Canyon Parking Lot
Trail: Back Canyon Loop
Distance: Around 5.9 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, October 10, 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:
This trail begins at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center and climbs Donner Canyon Road and descends Back Canyon Trail to create a somewhat challenging loop. There are lovely views of the surrounding hillsides and oak trees along the way. In the spring, the trail can be quite muddy, with a few creek crossings. There are also wildflowers and waterfalls along the route. During the summer months, this trail can get hot, as there is little shade. Bring lots of water and sun protection and start early in the day.
There is an alternative starting point on Regency Drive. Although, keep in mind the parking at the trailhead is for residents only and you may get a ticket.

Your Teen Already Has Burning Questions — Who's Giving Them the Answers? | Hafiz Muhammad Elmarouk
2025-10-11 10:00 - 18:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Parents & Teenagers (Boys & Girls) Ages 14 to 18: We are losing our children in a sea of ideologies that encompass them at school, through their phones, on Netflix, and via friends or social media. Our standard, go-to solutions are not working.
Join Hafiz Muhammad Elmarouk as he talks to parents and Muslim teens about how to:

– Develop a Rational Islamic Worldview
– Anchor one’s thinking in this rational Islamic worldview
– Make their Islam and study of it relevant to the world they live in through this critical rational lens

– Critically be able to think and analyze all aspects of modern culture
– Develop deep long-lasting friendships with the right people

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025 & 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025 | MCC Conference Room | $10/in-person and $5/watch live online | Register at mcceastbay.org/burning
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
About the Presentor
Hafiz Muhammad Elmarouk is a professional calligrapher and student of knowledge.
He was born and raised in the Bay Area. At the age of 14, Sidi Muhammed moved overseas to Mauritania, where he memorized the entire Holy Quran. From Mauritania, he traveled to Jordan, where he studied the Islamic sciences and traditional Islamic calligraphy for four years, receiving Ijazas in Tajweed and Hadith narration. From Jordan, he moved to Turkey, where he completed his calligraphy training and studied Fiqh under the guidance of renowned Syrian scholars. Muhammad continues to study privately and has taught the Islamic Sciences for six years. He now resides in Toronto, Canada, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Islamic Theology. Sidi Muhammad trained and competed in BJJ and wrestling for ten years in the USA and Jordan.
Why This is Important?
In short, they need to experience the rational basis of Islam, be able to clearly articulate it and understand how to bring that into conversation with the Modern World through a critical thinking approach that stimulates their minds and satisfies their souls.
To become part of a group of like-minded individuals with whom they bond, share both intellectual and recreational experiences, and form life-long friendships that will provide them happiness in this world and the world to come.
Why Islam is True: Clarity in a World of Confusion and Contradiction
In a time when doubts are viral and convictions are rare, this course gives your teen the tools to believe with evidence and speak with confidence.
Through the four powerful Quranic arguments, students will build a rational framework for belief in God, revelation, and the truth of Islam, not just what to believe, but why.
This is more than just a class on Iman as the Prophet (SAW) taught it, but it’s more intellectual armor for your teen—training them to tackle life’s toughest questions, respond to common challenges, and engage in meaningful conversations about Islam with clarity, respect, and confidence.
Burning Questions: Your Teen Already Has Burning Questions — Who’s Giving Them the Answers?
This course trains them with the Tools to Think Clearly, Critically, and Confidently About Their Iman.
You can’t always control what your teen hears at school, on social media, or from friends. But you can prepare them.
“Burning Questions” is a transformative course designed to meet teens where they are — and take them further.
It empowers them to tackle the most difficult questions they’re already asking (or being asked), with answers that are:

– Rational
– Evidence-based
– Spiritually fulfilling

From “Does God really exist?” to “Why does Islam say that?”, this course doesn’t dodge the hard stuff.
It trains your teen to think deeply and critically, so their faith isn’t just inherited, it’s understood, owned, and defended with confidence.
This is more than a class. It’s intellectual armor for the modern world.
Meet the Teacher Who Connects With the Youth
Raised in North America, Muhammad Elmarouk traveled the Muslim world in search of sacred knowledge, studying with renowned scholars, memorizing the entire Qur’an, and earning credentials in classical Islamic sciences and the art of Islamic calligraphy from top teachers in Mauritania (Northwest Africa), the Arab world, and Turkey.
Muhammad brings over five years of experience teaching Muslim teens across the continent. He connects with them in ways that stick—whether he’s explaining logic, guiding them in Qur’an lessons, helping them refine their calligraphy strokes, or showing them how to defend themselves in a jiu-jitsu session.
From leading hikes to weaving sports analogies into a seerah lesson, he speaks their language.
As a trusted mentor, he brings the depth of classical Islamic learning into the lives of modern Muslim youth, equipping them with critical thinking skills and the confidence to face today’s challenges, rooted firmly in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
More About Muhammad Elmarouk
Hafiz Muhammad Elmarouk is a professional calligrapher and student of knowledge.
He was born and raised in the Bay Area. At the age of 14, he moved overseas to Mauritania, where he memorized the entire Holy Quran. From Mauritania, he traveled to Jordan, where he studied the Islamic sciences and traditional Islamic calligraphy for four years, receiving Ijazas in Tajweed and Hadith narration. From Jordan, he moved to Turkey, where he completed his calligraphy training and studied Fiqh under the guidance of renowned Syrian scholars. Muhammad continues to study privately and has taught the Islamic Sciences for six years. He now resides in Toronto, Canada, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Islamic Theology. Sidi Muhammad trained and competed in BJJ and wrestling for ten years in the USA and Jordan.

Private Event
2025-10-11 19:00 - 22:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Conference Room

Purification of the Heart – Men’s Book Club
2025-10-16 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 purify our hearts and grow closer to Allah through understanding and treating the spiritual diseases that afflict us all. We will read and reflect on Hamza Yusuf’s translation and commentary of Imam Mawlud’s classical work, Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart.
Each session will cover one chapter, including group discussions and reflections on the diseases of the heart and their cures.
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 October 16 | Thursdays | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Room 24 | In-person only
Class Schedule: Tracking Chapters: Purification of the Heart– Men’s Book Club

Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not to teach deen. It is not a fiqh or aqidah class.

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:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Purification-Heart-Symptoms-Spiritual-Diseases/dp/1929694156
Zaytuna Bookstore: https://bookstore.zaytuna.edu/products/purificationoftheheart
About the Book
This exploration of Islamic spirituality delves into the psychological diseases and cures of the heart. The causes and practical cures of these diseases are discussed, offering a penetrating glimpse into how Islam deals with spiritual and psychological problems and demonstrating how all people can benefit from these teachings.

Author: Imam Mawlud (translated and with extensive commentary by Hamza Yusuf)

About the Translator
Hamza Yusuf is an American Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. He is one of the most influential Islamic educators in the Western world, known for his ability to bridge traditional Islamic scholarship with contemporary issues.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Gathering of the Hearts | Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi
2025-10-16 19:30 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi for our monthly in-person and online gathering for women (ages 18+) to commune, reflect, discuss, and gain strength and support from each other.
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Monthly on Thursdays | Free; no registration required | Conference Room or watch live online at https://mcceastbay.org/live
In this class, we use “Purification of the Heart” and “Foundations of the Spiritual Path” By Sidi Ahmad Zarruq, Translated by Hamza Yusuf. Download the book at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/foundations
Watch past session recordings at https://mcceastbay.org/muslimah-purification
We discuss spirituality, self-development, relevant and contemporary topics, and issues related to Muslim women’s roles and responsibilities in today’s knotted-up world. We also examine “Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart” by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.

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

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

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

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