LearnAboutIslam.org is encouraging donations to Dar-us-Salaam’s Haiti Earthquake Relief drive. All donations will go to Islamic Relief USA, which is working with various other aid groups to help the survivors.
Islam is growing rapidly in Haiti, with about 5000 Muslims living in the earthquake-devastated nation among a population of 8 million.
Read more…
Did you know that the modern check comes from the Arabic saqq, a written vow to pay for goods when they were delivered, to avoid money having to be transported across dangerous terrain? In the 9th century, a Muslim businessman could cash a check in China drawn on his bank in Baghdad. This innovative idea, and many other everyday modern conveniences originated in the Muslim world. Discover the forgotten history of this and many other inventions at 1001Inventions.com.
Source: article in The Independent about Muslim inventions.
Sharing a few beautiful pictures and some articles on this year’s annual pilgrimage to Makkah, known as “hajj”. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is a rite that is required of all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of it. The rituals of hajj bring together Muslims from around the world in worship of God, who is called “Allah” in Arabic. Through these actions we are also reminded of Abraham (known as “Ibrahim” in Arabic), who built the first house of worship to Allah, which is the Kaaba in Makkah. The Kaaba is a square stone structure covered with a black cloth. It is a direction point for Muslims worldwide when they pray, and to walk around this house of worship is part of the rituals of hajj. The rite of walking around the Kaaba is one of the well-known images of hajj.
For those who are volunteering today at the Thrive DC soup kitchen as part of our Help the Hungry program, below is the address and info on how to get to the new location.
By metro:
It’s at the Columbia Heights metro stop on the green line.
Metrorail map:
http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm
By car:
The address is: 1525 Newton Street NW, Washington DC, 20001.
Driving directions from the church’s website: http://www.saintstephensdc.org/directions.html
Here are the files for this year’s hajj workshop, available in two parts as pdf files.
Dar-us-Salaam’s Hajj Workshop is next Saturday, November 7th from 10am to 6pm at PGMA, taught by Br. Safi Khan. The workshop is free. For directions to PGMA, see www.pgmamd.org. The address is 9150 Lanham Severn Rd., Lanham, MD 20706.
This class covers pre-hajj preparations, what to do (and not do!) during hajj, and tips to enhance one’s hajj. To register, contact us with your name and email address, and state that you are registering for the Hajj Workshop.
Came across the following article on the USA Today Opinion section, sharing with all.
Let stereotype go
By Harris Zafar
Close your eyes and picture this: A jet with 111 passengers and crewmembers is about to land when a religious fanatic stands up and declares that he has a bomb.
Now open your eyes. Was your first thought anger that Muslim terrorists were at it again? Or perhaps you wondered why Muslims do this so often? Or maybe you’re frustrated that we haven’t done enough to stop these Arab terrorists from hijacking jets? Read more…
We are holding an Islam 101 class at Dar-us-Salaam / Al Huda School in College Park, MD on Saturday, November 7th, 11am – 1pm. (This is a date change; previously advertised for 10/25.) Basic beliefs of Muslims and current topics will be covered, such as women in Islam, and whether violence is a part of Islam. (Short answer: no!) All are welcome.
Light refreshments served.
RSVP on our contact page, to help us plan, but even if you don’t get a chance to RSVP, still come!
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