Gaza Unbeatable: Anchoring through Atrocity | Dr. Farah El-Sharif
2023-11-18 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
How do we make sense of the genocide in Gaza according to Islamic and historical sources? How can we process, support, and uplift one another in these times of immeasurable suffering?

Join us for a post-Maghrib talk with Dr. Farah El-Sharif, who discusses how Gaza is already changing the world for the better and will put into context the Palestinian struggle according to revelation and broader human history.

Saturday, Nov. 18 | 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Conference Room | In person only

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

About the speaker:Dr. Farah El-Sharif is a Visiting Scholar at the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies at Stanford University with roots from Palestine and Sinai. She earned her PhD in Islamic Studies at Harvard University and received her Masters’ at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. She is also a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Her research focuses on Islam and politics.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
2023-11-19 15:30 - 16:30 | CA
Please join us for Interfaith Interconnect’s 9th interfaith Thanksgiving service, offered in collaboration with Livermore-Pleasanton Interfaith Clergy Association, of which MCC East Bay is a proud member. Sr. Heather Conner will be representing MCC East Bay.

The Interfaith Thanksgiving service is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, 3350 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton.

Following the service, there will be a simple reception from 4:30 to 5:00 with light refreshments and the opportunity for attendees and presenters to converse with one another.

MCC is hosting a dinner and program after this event: https://mcceastbay.org/event/interfaith-dialogue/At this time in our world today, we are especially grateful for this opportunity to continue to build on the interfaith relationships we have established since Interfaith Interconnect was founded in 2011 as we strive to fulfill our mission: To enrich, inform, and educate ourselves and others about the great diversity of faiths and cultures in our Valley. There is no cost to attend, but an offering will be accepted to benefit Goodness Village, a local non-profit that provides the unhoused with a safe and supportive community in which to live, heal, and thrive.

Our Mission: To enrich, inform, and educate ourselves and others about the great diversity of faiths and cultures in our Valley. Interfaith Interconnect is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Tax ID # 87-4206222. Find them at: http://interfaithinterconnect.weebly.com and: https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithInterconnect/

Questions? interfaith.interconnect@gmail.com

Interfaith Dialogue: Who is Christ? | Dr. Ali Ataie & Rev. Andrew Lobban
2023-11-19 17:00 - 19:30 | CA
Join two seasoned interfaith speakers for a Sunday afternoon educational chat that examines the role of Jesus, son of Mary (peace and blessings be upon him), in the Bible and Christian theology and contrasts with his role in the Qur’an and Islamic theology.

5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, November 19 | MCC Conference Room | Join in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live

Ahead of the holiday season, this event is intended to show that despite religious differences and worldwide turmoil, people of faith can always find common ground.

RSVP for dinner only (not for panel) required at mcceastbay.org/dialogue

– 5 p.m. – Come early at 5 p.m. and observe the Maghrib sunset prayer (about 10 minutes) in the Prayer Hall. We will serve dinner in the Banquet Fellowship Hall from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.

– 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Interfaith panel discussion with Rev. Andy Lobban and Dr. Ali Ataie

Patricia Munro (Jewish community) & Edlyn Aisha Sammanasu (MCC) will open the program with a few words about the ever-present need to connect faith traditions for mutual compassion.

Sponsored by Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Livermore and the Muslim Community Center – East Bay in Pleasanton.

– More Dr. Ali Ataie: https://mcceastbay.org/ali-ataie – More interfaith events at MCC: https://mcceastbay.org/interfaith – Sign up for periodic community supporter updates: https://mcceastbay.org/community-supporters – More Reverend Andy: https://mcceastbay.org/andy

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service3:30-4:30 p.m. St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, 3350 Hopyard Road, PleasantonSunday, November 19, 2023Following the service, there will be a simple reception from 4:30 to 5:00 with light refreshments and the opportunity for attendees and presenters to converse with one another.

At this time in our world today, we are especially grateful for this opportunity to continue to build on the interfaith relationships we have established since Interfaith Interconnect was founded in 2011 as we strive to fulfill our mission: To enrich, inform, and educate ourselves and others about the great diversity of faiths and cultures in our Valley. There is no cost to attend, but an offering will be accepted to benefit Goodness Village, a local non-profit that provides the unhoused with a safe and supportive community in which to live, heal, and thrive.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

ABOUT THE PANELISTS

Rev. Andrew (Andy) Lobban has served as the Rector of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Livermore since June 2016. During that time, he has been quite active in interfaith cooperation and dialogue throughout the tri-valley. Andy came to St. Bart’s via Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, where he served for four years as associate clergy, overseeing much of the outreach and social justice programming. He also served as Priest and Chaplain at Good Samaritan Community Services in San Antonio, Texas. Reverend Andy completed a Master of Divinity at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. He also studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie is a perennial student and researcher involved in interfaith activities for over two decades. He holds a Master’s in Biblical studies focusing on New Testament and Biblical languages. He also has a Ph.D. in cultural and historical studies in religion from the Graduate Theological Union. His doctoral work focused on Muslim hermeneutics of Biblical texts, especially the Gospel of John. He lives in San Ramon, CA, with his wife Roya and three daughters.

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (in-person) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2023-11-20 11:00 - 12:30, 2023-12-04 11:00 - 12:30 | CA
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. We are currently reading from “The Prophetic Narrative” by Samira al-Zayid and will begin reading Volume 2.

Every Monday in-person & virtual | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | 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 ’24.

Please register online to receive the link to the Whatsapp thread where all communication and updates will be made. In this bookclub, we will be starting volume 2 of “The Prophetic Narrative” by Samira al-Zayid.

Book Purchase:

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

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

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

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

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

Author: Samira al-Zayid

Translators: Susan Imady, Tamara Gray, & Randa Mardini

Binding: Softcover

Pages: Vol 1, 570; Vol 2, 558

Publisher: Daybreak Press

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

Principles of Religion | Ustadha Nihad Hemmoudeh
2023-11-21 12:30 - 13:15, 2023-11-28 12:30 - 13:15, 2023-12-05 12:30 - 13:15 | CA
Ustadha Nihad Hemmoudeh facilitates a 45-minute live Zoom session for sisters on the principles of religion, such as acts of worshipping Allah (swt), the good character of a Muslim, and more. These talks will be recorded and available on MCC’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram publicly.

Ustadha Nihad will be using the book, “The Forty in the Fundamentals of Religion” by Al-Ghazali.12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. PST | Tuesdays | 12 consecutive weeks from Oct. 31 to Jan. 16, 2024 | No pre-registration needed | Join live each week at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom at mcceastbay.org/principles

Watch the prior sessions in this series: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/principle-seriesMore Ustadha Nihad:

– Ustadha Nihad’s “Principles of Religion” series: https://mcceastbay.org/principle-series

– Ustadha Nihad’s “Women Around the Messenger” series: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/women-series

– Ustadha Nihad’s “Forty Hadith Qudsi” series: https://mcceastbay.org/qudsi

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (virtual) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2023-11-21 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-11-28 18:30 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join our weekly sisters’ virtual-only Seerah book club, where we have an active discussion, take away lessons for our daily lives, and inshaAllah fall in love with the Prophet ﷺ. We are currently reading from, “The Prophetic Narrative” by Samira al-Zayid.

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

Event Details:

The discussion takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a break in Ramadan ’24.

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

Book Purchase:

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

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

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

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

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

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

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

Masjid Furqaan Tables @ MCC Jumu'ahs
2023-11-24 12:30 - 14:50 | CA
Masjid Furqaan is beginning Phase 2 of the construction and removing unpermitted construction violations by previous owners. They have an upcoming fundraiser on Friday, Dec.15, at ICC Milpitas.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Dublin Library
2023-11-24 12:30 - 14:50 | CA
For MCC’s Jumu’ah services on Friday, November 24, 2023:

12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Sidi Ibrahim Qureshi delivers this sermon at MCC.

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

– Sidi Shahryar Abbasi delivers this sermon at MCC.

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

– No Jumu’ah at the Library this Friday.

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

– Hafiz Yaseen Mahmood delivers the sermon at MCC.

Please attend at 12:30 or 2:30 p.m. to avoid heavier second-service congestion whenever possible. Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. Please come to the first and fourth Jumu’ah to ease up parking congestion or attend the parallel satellite prayer at 1:40 p.m. at Dublin Library: https://mcceastbay.org/satellite-jumuah-library-update

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

– More Sidi Ibrahim: https://mcceastbay.org/ibrahim

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

– More Hafiz Yaseen: https://mcceastbay.org/yaseen

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Rahma Community Center Tables @ MCC Jumu'ahs
2023-11-24 12:30 - 14:50 | CA
Rahma Community Center of Oakley aims to meet the needs of Muslim youth and elders, male and female through many different services such as senior living units, masjid, Islamic school, and sports facilities.

Women's Tafseer Class in Farsi | Ustadha Nooria Musleh
2023-11-24 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-12-01 16:00 - 18:00 | CA
For Farsi and Pashto-speaking women who want to learn or brush up on Qur’an, join this two-hour class every Friday after the third Jumu’ah to connect with the Book of Allah (swt).

Fridays | 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Women only | Classroom 1 | In-person only | Join in person or virtually at mcceastbay.org/farsi-tafseer

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

East Bay Tahajjud Tigers: Tahajjud, Witr & Fajr in Congregation
2023-11-25 05:00 - 06:30 | CA
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted is He, descends (i.e., His mercy and concern descends) to the lowest heaven when the final third of the night remains and says, “Who is there to call on Me so I may answer them? Who is there to ask of Me so I may give them? Who is there to seek My forgiveness so I may forgive them?” [Bukhari]

Join us on a Saturday morning before Fajr to pray 4 units of Tahajjud (Night Prayer) & Witr Prayers in the congregation, followed by Fajr prayer and then light, yummy snacks. Hafiz Taha Abdullah, Hafiz Hassam Alhajaji, and Hafiz Zaid Syed will lead the prayers.

There is no better way to start a day than to pray Tahajjud and Fajr in congregation along with your loved ones!

Saturday, Nov. 25 | 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. | MCC Prayer Hall | All ages welcome | Join in person, no registration required

Light snacks will be provided after the Fajr Adhan in the Banquet Hall.

Tentative Schedule:5:00 – doors open5:10 – Tahajjud starts5:42 – Fajr adhan5:45 – Snacks are served6:15 – Fajr iqamah6:30 – cleanup

Masjid Abu Bakr is also hosting Tahajjud Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 4:45 a.m. to 5:45 a.m.

Blood Drive @ Jumu'ah
2023-12-01 10:30 - 16:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
As people of faith, it is in our blood to help. With a 15-minute blood donation, you can be part of a lifesaving journey that could save up to three lives.
The MCC community has saved nearly 350 lives! This is our 25th blood drive during Jumu’ah, and each one has always been fully or near-fully booked!
Let’s continue that trajectory at this blood drive and keep all our American Red Cross guests busy when they set up in our Banquet Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a Friday. Sign up at: https://mcceastbay.org/blood-drive
In 2023, MCC will proudly host these quarterly blood drives during Jumuah services from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with our friends at the American Red Cross:

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

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

MECC Bay Youth Tables @ MCC Jumu'ahs
2023-12-01 12:30 - 14:50 | CA
MECC (Middle Eastern Country Care) Bay Youth will be selling cafe and tea drinks. All profits raised will go to Palestine.

Jumu’ah Services @ MCC & Rosewood Conference Center
2023-12-01 12:30 - 14:50 | CA
For MCC’s Jumu’ah services on Friday, December 1, 2023:

12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Sidi Abdullah Qureshi delivers this sermon at MCC.

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

– Shaykh Faraz Khan this sermon at MCC.

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

– Hafiz Yaseen Mahmoud at Rosewood Conference Center this Friday.

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

– Br. Mohammed Abdul Baseer delivers the sermon at MCC.

Please attend at 12:30 or 2:30 p.m. to avoid heavier second-service congestion whenever possible. Please note that the former HP lot (now Pleasanton School District) is no longer available to our congregation. Please come to the first and fourth Jumu’ah to ease up parking congestion or attend the parallel satellite prayer at 1:40 p.m. at Rosewood Conference Center: https://mcceastbay.org/event/rosewood-jumuah/

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

– More Sidi Abdullah: https://mcceastbay.org/abdullah-qureshi

– More Shaykh Faraz: https://mcceastbay.org/faraz

– More Hafiz Yaseen: https://mcceastbay.org/yaseen

– More Br. Mohammed: https://mcceastbay.org/mohammed

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 with young children. The mothers/fathers prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Off-site Jumu'ah @ Rosewood Commons Conference Center
2023-12-01 13:40 - 14:10 | Rosewood Commons Conference Center, 4432 Rosewood Dr, Pleasanton, 94588
On Friday, Dec. 1, our weekly off-site Jumu’ah (1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.) will be at the Rosewood Commons Conference Center in Pleasanton (4432 Rosewood Dr, Pleasanton). Please attend this Jumu’ah to help ease parking congestion at MCC. Fulfill your religious obligation while helping your local masjid.

Starting Friday, Dec. 8, we will move back to Dublin Library.

Dr. Rania Awaad’s Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa
2023-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 | CA
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly Friday evening women’s gathering about 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 October 6, 2023, to May 24, 2024 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania

– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Evening Halaqa recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa

– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4

The fall session runs from Friday, Oct. 6th to Friday, Dec. 15th, with Thanksgiving Break on Friday, November 24.

After winter break, we continue in the winter from Friday, Jan. 26 to Friday, March 8, with then a break for Ramadan (March 15, 22, 29, April 5 & April 12), and we restart from April 19 to May 24.

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

This halaqa is hosted parallel to our girls’ program in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.

Ustadha Rania AwaadRaised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive 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, and is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh, women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.

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

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

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

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

Bay Area Islamic Home Financing Information Open House
2023-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 | CA
Many Muslim families are looking to explore various options in regard to Islamic home financing and Shariah-compliant mortgages.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 1 | MCC Prayer Hall | Join in person or watch virtually at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/live

This ‘Open House’ is for all for-profit and nonprofit companies serving Bay Area Muslims. Representatives will get 10 to 15 minutes to introduce their organization, have an information table, and field questions from interested families.

Br. Zeeshan Mukhar will facilitate the program and moderate the Q&A.

This is not necessarily a demystifying session about all the intricacies of Islamic home financing, although some of that may happen with individual company presentations and during the Q&A.

Participating organizations (in order of presentation):

Devon Bank (Ali Farooq) | Presentation deck

American Finance House LARIBA (Mike Abdelaaty) | Presentation deck

Guidance Residential (Munther Qtaish) | Presentation deck

UIF Corporation (Anwer Mangrio) | Presentation deck

Ameen Housing (Mohamed Mostafa) | Presentation deck

Invited organizations not attending:

Ijara Community Development Corp

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Dr. Rania Awaad’s Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa
2023-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 | CA
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly Friday evening women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues. This program runs in parallel to the Friday night girl’s halaqa. After Dr. Rania’s weekly Halaqah this Friday, join us for a Qiyam and Dhikr along with reflections on Palestine with a special guest, Anse Sumayya.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Every Friday from October 6, 2023, to May 24, 2024 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania

– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Evening Halaqa recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa

– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4

The fall session runs from Friday, Oct. 6th to Friday, Dec. 15th, with Thanksgiving Break on Friday, November 24.

After winter break, we continue in the winter from Friday, Jan. 5 to Friday, March 8, with then a break for Ramadan (March 15, 22, 29, April 5 & April 12) and we restart from April 19 to May 24.

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

This halaqa is hosted parallel to our girls’ program in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.

Ustadha Rania AwaadRaised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive 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, and is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh, women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.

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

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

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

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

Women's Qiyam Program: Dhikr, Reflection, & Prayer for Palestine
2023-12-01 19:00 - 23:00 | CA
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly Friday evening women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues. This program runs in parallel to the Friday night girl’s halaqa. After Dr. Rania’s weekly Halaqah this Friday, join us for a Qiyam and Dhikr along with reflections on Palestine with a special guest, Anse Sumayya.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 1 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania

– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Evening Halaqa recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa

– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4

The fall session runs from Friday, Oct. 6th to Friday, Dec. 15th, with Thanksgiving Break on Friday, November 24.

After winter break, we continue in the winter from Friday, Jan. 5 to Friday, March 8, with then a break for Ramadan (March 15, 22, 29, April 5 & April 12) and we restart from April 19 to May 24.

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

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

This halaqa is hosted parallel to our girls’ program in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.

Ustadha Rania AwaadRaised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive 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, and is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh, women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.

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

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

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

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

Dua for our Brothers & Sisters | Qari Amar Bellaha
2023-12-01 20:00 - 20:30 | CA
“The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Join us to supplicate for our brothers and sisters in Palestine on Thursday and Friday evenings. After the Isha Prayers (8 p.m.), Qari Amar will recite the Dua Al-Nasri (Prayers of the Oppressed).

8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Fridays | Prayer Hall | Join in person or watch live at https://mcceastbay.org/liveIn the enormity of this moment, MCC is responding to our sisters and brothers in Palestine by:

– Our Jumu’ahs are dedicated to our sisters and brothers. Our Khateebs will make dua and encourage worshipers to give generously for humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza. MCC will absorb the credit card processing fees and send collected funds to Islamic Relief & UNRWA. Donate at https://mcceastbay.org/palestine

– Our MCC youth are baking goods and selling in the MCC lobby during the Jumu’ahs for humanitarian relief efforts during Jumu’ah.

MCC will cover the credit card processing fees so that 100 percent of our community’s donations go to two reputable organizations providing on-the-ground relief efforts in Gaza. Donate: mcceastbay.org/palestine

The Nasiri Dua is from the pen of the renowned Sufi Shaykh ibn Nasir ad Dari Rahimahullah of the Shadhiliyya Tariqa. Faced with the military power of France, who were bombing villages in Morocco, the Shaykh Rahimahullah wrote this Dua, which was recited in every Masjid in the Maghrib in various different styles. This Dua had such an effect that the French President issued a law banning its recitation. Due to the barakah of this beautiful Dua, Morocco gained independence from France.

The power of this Dua of Imam Muhammad ibn Nasir al-Dar’i lies in its simplicity, its purity, and its sincere supplication. It is essentially a plea to Allah that our transgressions be overlooked, that divine mercy be bestowed upon us, that social justice be restored in spite of us, that wrongs be righted, and that righteousness reigns once again in our lands so that the destitute may no longer be in need, the young may be educated, the animals’ purpose fulfilled, rain restored, and bounties poured forth. It is a plea to be freed from the aggression of foreigners in lands over which they have no right – a plea much needed in our modern world, rampant as it is with invasions and territorial occupations. Ultimately, it asks not to destroy our enemies but simply to halt their plots and the harm they cause. Its essence is mercy, which in turn is the essence of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him: “And We have only sent you as a mercy to all the worlds.”

PDF copy of the Nasiri Dua

https://youtu.be/rLvq6nyi_w8?si=v6s6IXqHsMZtqOKr

Monthly Sisterhood Hike | Sisters in the Outdoors
2023-12-02 07:30 - 10:30 | Lafayette Reservoir Loop, Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area, Lafayette, CA, 3849 Mount Diablo Blvd,, Lafayette, California, 94549, United States
Join us from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, for a Saturday morning hike at Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area in Lafayette 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

Also, after the hike, we plan to have a potluck breakfast so join us!

If sisters want to walk around more, they can do it depending on their interest/time. The hike will be cancelled if there are not enough RSVPs depending on the weather.

– When: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

– Time: 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Please arrive a little early to park and find the group. The group can wait till 7:40 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. Carpool encouraged others on this hike.

– Parking:

– Location: Lafayette Reservoir Loop

– Distance: 3 miles

– All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/lafayette-reservoir-loop

– Difficulty: Easy

– Misc: Wear hiking shoes if possible. There will be a small water crossing, and your shoes might get wet. Bring a small breakfast/ Lunch sandwich or something to eat. Carry enough water, a hat, and a light jacket. Please download All Trails map (free version) in case you decide to return in the middle of the hike. This will be very helpful in navigating back to the parking lot.

– RSVP: By Friday, Dec. 1, 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:

Discover this 3.0-mile loop trail near Lafayette, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 2 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, fishing, and road biking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

A Healing From the Heart Out | Sr. Rooya Ayubi
2023-12-02 10:30 - 12:00 | CA
Do you ever feel like you just don’t matter or that people don’t see you for who you truly are?

Do you ever feel discouraged even when good things happen to you?

This sense of unworthiness often leads to self-suffering, which, in turn, can cause us to project suffering onto others, contributing to the pain and destruction in the world. Success and self-worth are closely intertwined. We are more likely to strive for success if we perceive ourselves worthy of that success.

Join Sr. Rooya Ayubi to gain insights on how to strengthen our connection with Allah(swt) and use that to overcome our feelings of unworthiness and fear of success to find ultimate success in this life and the hereafter.

Saturday, Dec. 2 | 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Conference Room | Join in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

As Muslims, we view our connection to Allah (swt) as the ultimate success. However, how do we attempt to find it when we can’t see ourselves worthy of any success? This, in turn, leads to avoidance of that connection due to our unworthiness dilemma. Consequently, many Muslims may either not practice their faith or, if they do, still grapple with a deep sense of disconnection, ultimately preventing them from fulfilling what Allah (swt) truly created us to do, to gain God-consciousness.

The workshop will use interactive storytelling, contemplative breathing meditation, and Zhikr, which focuses on the heart to bring real change, internal and external inshaAllah.

Rooya Ayubi is a storyteller, life coach, wife, and mother. An immigrant woman who walked across the desert from Afghanistan to Pakistan when she was only 6 years old, Rooya is a survivor of trauma. Because of this, Rooya grew up with a deep sense of unworthiness, which led to a decade of depression.

After embarking on a major self-healing journey, she emerged strong and healthy. Her dream and mission now is to guide women who have felt beaten down by the challenges in their lives to reawaken hope, reclaim their power, and begin to live a life of honor. Her work combines a vast array of diverse skills such as Powerful Non-Defensive Communication™, Storytelling, Way of Joy Qigong™, contemplative breathing methods, and Zhikr (remembrance) that focuses on the heart in order to help her clients make the shift necessary to embrace a life worth living.

She is also an admin for the East Bay Muslim Homeschooling group for almost 9 years and frequently hosts workshops titled “Chasing The Dunya Effect” and other workshops on self-worth.

Here is a video of one of her storytelling sessions on her journey walking across the desert and eventually ending up here in California:

Private Event
2023-12-02 11:00 - 14:30 | CA
Prayer Hall & Banquet Hall

Fight for Your Why: How to Change Dunya Mentality Into Prophetic Intentionality | Ust. Adnan Wood-Smith
2023-12-02 13:00 - 15:15 | CA
Do you struggle with being inconsistent in your commitments you make to others, to Allah, and to yourself? Are there unhealthy habits in your life you can’t get rid of? Does the day-to-day grind of the Dunya leave you overwhelmed and exhausted?

Join us on a Saturday afternoon with Ustadh Adnan Wood-Smith to hear his personal journey of discovering his “Why” and to learn the importance of clarifying your unique mission in life, what internal and external forces are intent on taking you off that mission, and what techniques you can use to fight back and live an inspiring life oriented around your unique purpose.

Saturday, Dec. 2 | 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | Free; Join in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

By the end of this talk, attendees will leave with practical strategies to regain passion and discipline in their lives, find confidence in the face of uncertainty, and live a life they are prouder of.

Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith is an award-winning educator, speaker, and author on Qur’anic spirituality.   After graduating from his Ivy League college as valedictorian, he learnt the hard way that his desire for academic and career success must not override his true sense of mission in life. Since then, he has been committed to helping others define and defend their purpose so that they can find true community with others who share their deep intentionality in the world.

He has mentored hundreds as a denominational counselor at Harvard Divinity School, Muslim Chaplain at Brown University, and Student Life Coordinator at Zaytuna College, as well as through various volunteer positions, including his tenure as President of RICMA, the umbrella organization for the Muslim community in Rhode Island.   Adnan is nearing completion of his PhD in Religion at Harvard University and has received numerous traditional licenses (ijāzāt) to teach Islamic spiritual mentorship, jurisprudence, Qur’anic Arabic, and other subjects from master teachers in West Africa, Syria, and California.

More Ustadh Adnan: https://mcceastbay.org/adnan

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

#TeamFajr Monthly Sunday Breakfast & Qur'an Khatam
2023-12-03 06:15 - 07:15 | 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 (6:15 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.
Fall & Winter ’23 Sunday Monthly Khatam with Qari Amar:

– August 6, 2023
– September 3, 2023
– October 1, 2023
-November 5, 2023
-December 3, 2023
-January 7, 2024
– February 4, 2024
-March 3, 2024

The benefits and virtues of reciting the Holy Qur’an and sending Salawat upon Rasulullah (S) are numerous. 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 and Salawat individually, there is strength in our numbers. Join your MCC community in our goal of collectively completing a completing 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 Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.”
