Jun 2, 2012
“Whosoever builds for Allah a masjid, Allah will reward him similar to it in paradise.” (Bukhari)
Unfortunately, As-Salam mosque was devastated by a dreadful flood three days ago. Everything has been completely destroyed and we are in dire need of renovations
Please help by contributing whatever amount you possibly can, because this Masjid needs all the help we can get! Keep in mind that this is the only mosque in the heart of downtown! May Allah swt bless you for your all your help, Ameen!
The damages (other than walls, doors, and wooden floor):
- 2500 sf of under-carpet padding
- carpet installation and padding
- 400 books (Qurans, Quran translations, and da3wa materials)
- Office desk and chair
- Advanced Camera
- Laptop
- Audio Amplifier
- Portable MIC
- Stand Mic
- Interac Terminal
- Carpet vacuum (2)
- Commercial vacuum
- 30 abayas (men, women)
- Outdoor security camera
- Indoor security camera
- Dewalt drill and other power tools
- Router and Modem
- Entrace carpet
- Prayer time wall clock
Donation information
Online at http://www.salam-mosque.org/
Bank transfer:
Charity name: As-Salam Mosque / IQRA Foundation
Bank: RBC – institution number 003
Branch number / Transit: 05981
Account number: 1004779
For any information, please call at 514-545-5466 or email donate@salam-mosque.org
May 28, 2012
This is to let you know that the moon for the month of Rajab, 1433, was sighted on Monday, 29th Jumadi II, 1433, 21st of May, 2012, in North America by two Muslim families. Therefore, Tuesday, May 22nd, was the first day of Rajab, 1433.
Please note that moonsighting is monitored by the Muslim Council of Montreal at the end of each Hijri month throughout the year in accordance with our criteria. Please let us know if you wish to receive the moonsighting report for other months.
May Allah SWT make us all reach Ramadan in high degree of iman, happiness and good health.
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal, President
May 23, 2012
A Treasure Hunt (rally paper) is a unique and interesting youth competition where people solve puzzles and find some treasures to collect points and ultimately win a prize.The 1st Al-Salam Mosque Rally Paper will be taking place on Saturday, May 26, 2012. This year’s theme is “Together for a Healthier Community” in downtown Montreal.
General information
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- Al-Salam Mosque treasure hunt consists of 5 stages. Each stage contains a general knowledge questionnaire / bet / treasure hunt.
- Each group consists of 3 members. A member can participate in the rally paper on foot, bike or metro.
- The competing groups will earn points for every stage they unlock (answering questions and collecting treasures).
- The competition starts in front of Al-Salam Mosque at 9:00am sharp to get all teams ready for the race at the smae time.
- The Race starts at 9:30am SHARP. Any team that reaches the starting point later than 9:15am will be disqualified unless they have previously notified the organizers.
- At each stage of the race, the groups will receive a code that they have to solve to figure out the next stage of the race and a set of questions to be answered.
- The prizes are offered by the organizing team. Registration fees will be used to cover the competition expenses.
- Prizes: $250 for the first team, $200 for the second team, $150 for the third team.
Registration Information
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- Each team is made up of 3 members.
- Registration Fee = $10/member (to cover the lunch and other expenses)
- Contact: info@salam-mosque.org or 514-545-5466
- https://www.facebook.com/events/403283466359466/
- http://www.salam-mosque.org
Feb 24, 2012
Allaah Almighty Says what means:“You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allaah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.“ [Quran 3:110]
Islam is the best tool for relieving humankind of its ills. When we look at one another as individual beings with our diverse capacities and ideas we should be able to see the beauty of Allaah’s handiwork. But too often we fall into the trap laid by Iblees (Satan) when Allaah created Aadam. Iblees (Satan) became haughty and arrogant and felt that he was the best of creation. Allaah Almighty Says what means: “And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Aadam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.“[Quran 2: 34] Here Allaah Almighty mentions that rejection of faith lies in refusal to obey Allaah’s command through haughtiness. Many of us are haughty due to having pride in our accomplishments, our acquisitions and our positions in comparison to our fellow human beings. But is this what Allaah placed us on earth to do?
He, Almighty, tells us in Quran (what means): “…Had Allaah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allaah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.“ [Quran 5:48] Obviously, His plan was to make us different types of people so that we could realize our diversity and put forth every effort to lead one another to the Almighty. Being different only obliged us to work as one people to promote the good and forbid the wrong.
To work as one people striving to Allaah we must overcome our desire to use our ethnicity or race as a means to divide us. Every race struggles to hold on to, their inherited identity but in so doing, in the long run, we may encounter the risk of eliminating an aspect of our lives that will make us better people.
Poverty syndrome
Poverty separates people. At times we look to display our accomplishments in ways that glamorize and tickle the fancy of others. Everything looks well put together and organized, but when we take an in-depth look behind the scene, we may have overlooked some critical factors. Why aren’t there more people of color present at the event? Were they included in the planning stages? Was every effort made to get their input? As an observer of this phenomenon, all too often, I notice that more times than necessary, poverty is a factor. The fees to attend many programs are out off the scale for poor Muslims. Also, location plays a pivotal role in attendance. Every Muslim does not have a car and many rely on public transportation to get around. And, in a predominant white America, how does this apply to Muslims? The reality is that many Muslims of fair complexion are more comfortable being recognized as Caucasian rather than people of color.
Consciously, our brethren don’t use this as a factor but subconsciously it is used in the workplace, in the public sphere and in the most sacred place for the Muslim, the Mosque. If one grew up in America during the 50s, 60s and 70s, it was emphasized that the one with the lighter skin complexion would have a better chance of being mainstreamed in with their Caucasian counterpart and therefore apportioned some of the fruits of that community. The stigma that was placed on the darkness of ones’ skin became synonymous with failure. This was also taught to people of other countries before they came to America. The mantra was “stay away from the black Americans”.
Unfortunately, people of color tend to be among the poorest around the world. Their struggle has been documented throughout history. But, the one theme among this impoverished group has been to strive in the fact of adversity.
If you can read you can learn and if you can learn you can succeed. Yet the opportunities for success do not always be within the reach of all.
A community that is largely Caucasian has a greater chance of opening the door to advancement for its residents than a community wherein the population is primarily African-American. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. If the prosperous community took their ideas into a seemingly hopeless community as a means to inform them of the potential for success rather than deride them for their lack of motivation, working with them and pushing them to see that they too can thrive, a step toward equality can begin.
Now, let us substitute Muslim for prosperous and look at ourselves to see how some of us have neglected the less-fortunate in our midst and we will see where the genuine work of a believer belongs.
Knowledge
“What you don’t know can kill you” is a saying attributed to ignorance. Allaah, the Almighty, tells us in the Quran (what means): “And [mention O Mohammad] when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.” They said, “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?” Allaah said, “Indeed, I know that which you do not know.” And He taught Aadam the names – all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, “Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.” They said, “Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.”“[Quran 2:30-32]
Clearly, without a true understanding of why we do something we will continue to have impoverished souls. The example of Aadam before the angels can be compared to the truly intelligent and the analytical among us. A scholar made the point that the intelligent one is aware of Allaah’s mercy to His creation, submits to it and obeys wherein the analytical one has not yet grasped the glory of Allaah and still questions His Omnipotence seemingly looking for a way out. Knowledge enlightens the soul and nurtures humility. Taking the position of slave/servant to Allaah broadens our perspective and invokes in us the will to submit willingly to His commands. Acknowledging our similarities and differences as assets rather than losses will bring us closer to Allaah and closer to one another.
In order to remove subtle racism there has to be an admission that it exists. Then steps must be made to heal and rekindle a relationship that predates modern man. Our community can regain its place as leaders of the world, but only if we accept our destiny as a unit of one Ummah in a race towards the everlasting bounties of Allaah.
Feb 21, 2012
Forgive?!?!
(But I can’t let go!)
Sometimes we get offended, and even though we have
the opportunity to forgive, our pride/honor gets in the way.
The Prophet (s.a.a.w) said:
وما زاد الله عبداً بعفو إلا عزاً
…Allah doesn’t increase a slave in anything when he pardons except honor / respect…
(Part of a larger hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim: Book #032, Hadith #6264)
So fear of a decrease in honor should never be an
obstacle because forgiveness does just the opposite!
