As Ramadan draws near, we are reminded of Allah’s infinite mercy and the numerous ways we can attain it. The multiple gates of Jannah exemplify this mercy, each acknowledging the varied paths we take in our journey toward Allah. 

In Ramadan, the blessings are magnified, and the nights are filled with divine light. This blessed month offers us a unique opportunity to renew our intentions, to cleanse our hearts, and to embark on a path that leads to Jannah.

4 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Saturday, February 24 | $20/person | MCC Prayer Hall | Limited space (please join waitlist once full) at https://mcceastbay.org/paradise

Sponsored by Miftaah Institute & MCC East Bay

Community vendors, please sign up here.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Imam Khalid Latif is the University Chaplain for New York University and Executive Director of the Islamic Center at NYU. Imam Latif has not only managed to solidify the basis of a strong Muslim community at NYU that seeks to emphasize inclusiveness and understanding of others without compromise but has also worked tirelessly to foster dialogue with people of other faiths to clarify misconceptions and encourage mutual education.

Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith is an instructor at Qalam. Shaykh Mikaeel previously served as a resident scholar at the Islamic Society of Annapolis and the Islamic Society of Baltimore. He continued his studies in Jami’a Abu Noor in Damascus, Syria. In 2012, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Studies at the Dar ul-Uloom Canada in Chatham, Ontario. He is the author of With the Heart in Mind, a book exploring the moral and emotional intelligence of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He resides in Dallas, TX, with his wife and three children.

Shaykh Mohamed Almasmari, of Yemeni descent, was born and raised in Michigan. He memorized the Qur’an early and left to study at Sana’a University after high school. He has led Taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadan since the age of 18. Now, Shaykh Mohamed Almasmari is the Imam and Khatib at UMMA.

Alauddin El-Bakri began his study of Islam at a young age in North Africa and continued his education in the Islamic sciences in Jordan, learning from predominant scholars in the Muslim world. He has also served as a founding board member of IMAN (Inner City Muslim Action Network) in Chicago, as a book editor for IQRA, and is an advisory board member in many Islamic organizations. Having been trained in both the Islamic sciences and secular education; Shaykh Alaeddin can appeal to various audiences, and his main focus is in helping Muslims develop a deep understanding of the self, life, and faith. He currently serves as Khateeb at Saratoga Masjid in California.

Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi is an educator, author, public speaker, active content creator, spiritual counselor, and mental health advocate with over 25 years of experience serving the Muslim community. She began her Islamic studies at the renowned Zaytuna College, where she was blessed to study with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, Imam Zaid Shakir, and other visiting scholars. She offers year-round classes on spiritual and self-development for adults and youth through local and national organizations. Ustadha Hosai is a wife and mother of two and resides in California.

Mufti Abdul Rahman Waheed is the Co-Founder, President, and senior instructor at Michigan Islamic Institute, a full-time boarding school. He is also the Co-Founder and instructor at Miftaah Institute, a part-time Islamic Studies seminary that aims to make traditional Islamic scholarship accessible to the masses. In addition to Mufti Abdul Rahman’s role as a Fellow at Yaqeen, he also serves as an Associate Editor on Yaqeen’s Editorial Review Board.

Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed was born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He began Islamic studies at Jaamiah al-Uloom al-Islamiyyah in Canada, where he became a Hafiz at 11. He later started his studies at Al Ihsan Institute located in Vancouver, B.C., specializing in Islamic Jurisprudence and Iftā’ under his professors while teaching Fiqh and Hadith in the same school. Mufti Abdul Wahab is a Co-founder at Miftaah Institute and a Co-Founder and Director at Michigan Islamic Institute.

Mawlana Hamza Mehter was born and raised in New York. He completed his hifz and pursued an education in the Islamic sciences. He dedicated nine years to these studies in Canada, after which he continued to study at Madrasa Arabia Islamia Azaadville in South Africa. He had the good fortune of spending a lot of time in the company of Mawlana Fazlur Rahman Azmi. After that, in 2012, he served as imam at the Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County, Masjid Al Rahman, Richmond, CA, where he remains today. He currently serves as the principal of Universal Mercy Academy.

Shaykh Navaid Aziz is a keynote speaker and recognized subject matter expert. He lectures on current and relevant topics from an Islamic perspective. His workshops focus on best practices in sensitivity and diversity training for those engaging with Muslims. He shares his expertise on Muslim extremism, the history of Muslim extremist groups, and community-based intervention and prevention with the courts, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and law enforcement.

Shaykh Tariq Musleh graduated from the prestigious Madinah University, where he attained his Associate’s degree in Arabic and bachelor’s from the College of Sharia. He completed his memorization of the Quran at the age of 13 and received an ijaza from Palestine. He studied Classical Arabic at the Fajr Center in Egypt. Shaykh Tariq has worked as a part-time instructor for Islamic Learning Foundation Chicago, teaching Quran and Arabic studies. He has served in Young Muslims (YM) as a coordinator and murrabi for many years. Shaykh Tariq has also served as the Youth Director for the Islamic Center of Naperville in Chicago and became the Youth Director and Assistant Imam of Mecca Center in Willowbrook, Illinois, in July 2017.

Program Logistics

Check-In

Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. We highly encourage you to arrive early to ensure you get the most suitable seat for yourself, as chair seating will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You don’t need to print your e-ticket. Our volunteers will have your name on electronic check-in devices.

Parking
Volunteers will direct you to the park in the Pleasanton School District parking lot, next to the MCC parking lot. Here is a map. After parking, please walk to the registration tables at the school entrance (marked prayer space on this map).