Finally, Ramadan is here, so now what? Do you have a plan?

DateDrive of Ramadan 1430/Sept 2009

Alhamdulillah, this is the 2nd Ramadan for HalfDate. Last year, HalfDaters helped to raise over $20,000 and have completed several projects, see this article. This year, we will have a productivity race among supporters of different projects, because Ramadan is a month of productivity, not laziness.

So, this drive will include:

1. A productivity training for you, click here
2. Volunteer for this drive, just pick the days you want to volunteer, click here
3. A productivity race among non-profit projects (each week only those projects that met certain goals will be advanced to the next round, the finalists will get special prize, inshaAllah)

GET INVOLVED: http://halfdate.com/2009/08/17/my-pro…

Assalamu Alaikum waRahmatullahi waBarakatuh

InshaAllah you are well.

Ramadhan Mubarak, the Month of Quran and feeding the fasting has returned!

http://www.justgiving.com/feedthefasting/

Ramadhaan has a special relationship with the Quran, as Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning: “The month of Ramadhaan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it.” [Quran 2:185)

The word 'so' in this ayah leads to the following paraphrase of one aspect of its meaning: "Fast this month because it is the one in which the Quran was sent down".

Ibn 'Abbaas narrates "that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadhaan because Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Quran with him." [Al-Bukhaari]

This hadeeth contains the following recommendations that we can take heed from:

• Studying the Quran in Ramadhaan

• Coming together for this purpose

• Checking (one’s memory/knowledge of) the Quran with someone who has preserved it better

• Increasing recitation of the Quran in Ramadhaan and

• That the night time is the best time to recite, when other preoccupations decrease and it is easier to concentrate, as in Soorah al-Muzzammil [73:6].

Further, Faatimah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated from her father the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,  who told her: Jibreel would rehearse the Quran with him (in Ramadhaan) once every year, and he did so twice in the year of his death. [Al-Bukhaari]

About the situation of the Salaf (our righteous predecessors) during Ramadhaan,  Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said:

“… Some of the Salaf would complete reciting the whole Quran during the night prayer of Ramadhaan every 3 days; others every 7 days (e.g. Qataadah) and others in 10 days (e.g. Abu Rajaa’ al-Atardi).The Salaf would recite Quran in Ramadhaan in Prayer as well as outside it.

Al-Zuhri would say when Ramadhaan began, ‘It is recitation of the Quran and feeding of people.’

Then Ramadhaan began, Imam Maalik would stop narrating Hadeeth and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the Quran from its pages, while Sufyaan al-Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting the Quran.

‘Aishah would recite from the pages of the Quran at the beginning of the day in Ramadhaan (i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had risen, then she would sleep.

Zayd al-Yaami would bring copies of the Quran when Ramadhaan began and gather his companions around him. …”

“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur’aan, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that which is in your hearts” [Yoonus 10:57]

Allahuma Balighna Ramadan (Oh Allah, Grant us Ramadan)

Jazak Allahu Khair

Abu Affan

Credits: islamweb.net

Email from www.Islamictube.net

Bismillah

As-salaamu alaikum wa’rahmatullahi wa’barakatuh

I hope this email finds you in the best of health and imaan.

Insha’Allah when you get the chance can you take a look at the following website: www.blessedbrides.co.uk

It’s a new initiative, working in partnership with my favourite charity: Ummah Welfare Trust.  It’s a request to all sisters who are married to donate their bridal gowns to our sisters in third world countries who cannot afford to buy nice outfits.  The website explains how the initiative works in detail.  The request is for bridal gowns, however, financial donations are also appreciated – 100% goes to the UWT Wedding Fund.  Please help support the project and circulate the link and video (below) to all of your contacts.

Brothers and Sisters As-salaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah,

Help support the Da’wa and you could also have a free Nokia N96.

Purely for the sake and pleasure of Allah forward this email to everyone on your mailing list and you get the rewards of their donation as well insha’Allah. Especially if one of them needs a new mobile phone.

Would you like to win a Brand New Nokia N96 Mobile Phone??? Yes of course you would! And who wouldn’t in this fragile economical climate! Unfortunately the credit crunch hasn’t only affected the business world but the dawa too!

Al Fitrah has always prided itself in its ability to be at the forefront of helping raise funds for all types of worthwhile causes…from raising funds for the local masjid extension, investing in youth projects aiming to help our young up and coming Muslim as well as global projects such as re building Gaza and our beloved orphan project.

Today this email isn’t calling you to the projects we collaborate on but an email asking for a little help from our friends for Al Fitrah itself. Our bills have piled up while we were busy all year helping other charities and our projects are threatened. We are a small and humble organisation which started off in the back shed! Alhamdhulilah through contributions, sacrifice and efforts by our brothers, families and local community we have managed to establish and equip ourselves to go beyond the shed producing events, workshop, seminars and youth projects as well as national projects. In turn these projects have their many demands and there are many bills to pay!

The da’wa belongs to Allah thus we run it for His sake and spend for His sake.

www.Justgiving.com/alfitrah

We need your support to help us in order to make sure we can still help those who are desperately in need, no doubt Al Fitrah will have carried out Sadaqa Jariya work encouraging others to gain theirs! Now is the time for you out there to share these good deeds with us.

Can you imagine every single good we do through the Al Fitrah projects now and for years to come insha’Allah you will gain all those rewards as well just by being a part of this campaign even with just £2. Can you afford NOT to be a part of THIS many good deeds?

Click this link to read more and find find out about the amazing projects that Al Fitrah are currently undergoing.

www.justgiving.com/alfitrah

Be a part of it with just £2 as we the believers are like bricks one supporting the other else look at the rewards you might miss out on when you may need them most:

So come on people! Are you willing to donate “just” a small amount in return for the chance to win a Brand New Nokia N96 mobile phone worth
350+! Come on try it, it could be yours, the highest donation will win the prize. Please donate the smallest amount, anything from £2 upwards….., you will win either way!

Click on this link to find out how you can win the phone and to be involved in a priceless sadaqah jaariyah.

www.justgiving.com/alfitrah

How does it work? Easy!

1. Donate any amount towards this sadaqa jaariya

2. Watch this page to see if anyone donates more than you

3. Come back and increase your donation by adding more (we will add up multiple donations by one person)

4. Keep doing this until we meet our deadline making sure your donation is the largest. As-sabiqoon us-Sabiqoon (those who compete to do good are nearest to Allah)

5. When we hit our target of 10,000 we will see who made the largest donation and they will win the free prize worth £350+

You can also help yourself win by getting more people to make small donations so we can reach the target quickly before someone else comes donating more than you.

Think of it like this if you get 5000 people to give £2 each and you give £3 you win the phone worth £350+

Nokia N96 Full Spec = http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n96-2253.php

Thanks for visiting.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: If you’re a UK taxpayer Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid plus a 3% supplement are added to your donation.

Please Donate Any Amount -

Please pass this link on purely for the sake and pleasure of our Lord all High.

NEW CLOSING DATE: 5th APRIL 2009

As we are all well aware of the current situation of Palestine.  Over 1500 killed, 5000 injured and nearly 1million homeless. Current events have generated some of the worst conditions man has witnessed in recent history.

With this situation ahead of us, it’s important some effort is made to reach out to the children who have survived the killing. These are children that are at the very least emotionally scared from being witnesses to such devastation, and thus IslamBradford is working with Masjid Al Aqsa to provide some level of emotional support for these children.

Our intervention is a simple one, to reach out to them and show them that the children in Bradford (and any other city that wishes to join the growing list, which now includes; Leeds, Bolton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bury, London) care for them, and are learning about the land which they are losing their lives for.

Therefore IslamBradford have established a three tier project:

Tier 1

To give every participating Madarsah/School a children’s wall chart which, explains the value of Palestine in Islam, and provides some historical overview of the situation in a child friendly manner. The focus being to provide the Madarsah/School teachers with a tool to educate their children about Palestine.

Tier 2

We have established a competition to capture the children’s imagination. The competition will be to do a drawing/ design, depending on the age of the person, on Palestine. The competition will be judged by the Mudaris of Masjid Al Aqsa and there will be some great prizes from a laptop to a collection of books.

Tier 3

We want each competition entry to be accompanied with a donation towards Palestine, thus entries to the competition will only be accepted with a completed Donation Form, with which they need to collect funds. We want the children to feel involved (even if the donation is £1 … or £1000!)

This project needs your support, and therefore we ask all to try and get involved, and work with their local Madarsah/Schools to encourage them to join the project too. For further details please our Information Brochure.

Campaign Packs

For all institutes participating (Madarsah/Schools, etc), please contact us on 01274 395521 / 07973518975 to request for a Free Campaign Pack. The pack will contain:

An Information Brochure, a Poster, a Wall Chart to display in your institute and a small quantity of Donation Forms for you to photocopy.

Individuals who would like to purchase a Wall Chart please contact us. (Size A3 is to be sold for £5, and size A2 for £8.)

All Proceeds To Gaza.

Wall Chart	Information Brochure
Poster	Donation Form

How To Enter?

All you have to do is according to your age group design what has been stated to the best of your ability. Once completed, make sure you add your name, address, phone number, email and all your parents details and return it by the deadline (5th April 2009), to the address: IslamBradford, PO Box 835, Bradford, BD9 6WW.

How Will The Winner Be Announced?

The winner will be announced by Mudaris Bakr of Masjid Al Aqsa (Palestine) on the IslamBradford website and will be contacted directly.

For More Information Please Contact:

www.IslamBradford.com
01274 395521 / 07973518975
info@islambradford.com

Connecting the children of the UK, with the children of Palestine.

Asalamu alaikum Warahmatoulahi Wabarakatuhu,

We greet you all in the name of Allah the most beneficient, the most merciful.

In recent times, the Ummah is faced with alot of trials and tribulations. Some of these trials we blame on non-believers, others, we blame perhaps technology.

Many of us fail to go deeper and find the cause of our trials and tribulations. Yet if we are

truthful and are sincere in seeking the Allah and mercy of Allah, we will but admit the role our very hands have played.

The trials of the ummah can be associate with many things, but the most prominent is the fact that we have strayed from the teachings of the Quran and the examples of our beloved Prophet s.a.w.

‘The nations will summon each other upon you as you call guests to eat from a plate of food,’ they said ‘Will we be few in number on that day O Messenger of God?’ He said, ‘No, rather you will be many on that day, but you will be [disunited and weak] like the foam on the ocean. And God will remove the fear in the hearts of your enemies and place in your hearts al-wahan.’ They said, ‘What is al-wahan O Messenger of God?’ He said, ‘Love of this world and hatred of death. Abu Dawud, Sunan, Kitab al-Fitan wal-Malahim, Hadith no.4297.

Like many other muslim countries, the Gambia is no exception. A large number of Muslim families in The Gambia are facing a dilemma of their children adopting western values and morals. Children have lost their innocence and the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah are becoming strange teachings and concepts. Mostly, we look in shock and wonder what the ummah has become; ask where are the muslims, we mean, where the real muslims are; those who are true to their deen and live the example of a muslim, not people who have simply inherited the religion. Most times, we shake our heads with sad looks and feelings of hopelessness as to what could be done to bring the muslims back to islam. Usually, we make dua and hope for the best.

A group of young muslims in the Gambia (like many others in other parts of the world) have refused settling for the sad look while hoping for the best.

We must fulfill our duty to Allah to change the situation with our hearts and hands.

…. Lo! God changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts. (Al-Ra’ad, 13:11)

It is with this intention that the “The Ansaar’s Humming Bees Early Development Institute’ is established (shortly called Ansaar).

It is the responsiblity of each and every parent to teach their children about Islam, to teach them about the teachings of the Quran and the examples of the Prophet s.a.w. Allah will not listen to any excuses on the day of Qiyaama that we were too busy with work or that our children would not listen to us or that our enviroments were to blame. Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning:-

And know that you possessions and your offspring are only a trial; and that it is Allah with whom there is a tremendous reward Holy Qu’ran 8:28.

The main objective therefore of Ansaar is to preserve the innocence of the muslim child by teaching them Islam in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah as well as subjects from mainstream curriculum. By the will and qadr of Allah, they will grow up as upright and positive future leaders who shall posses the qualities of righteousness and taqwa in their future professionals and careers.

Given that it’s a charitable organisation, Ansaar depends on the contribution of its members and muslims from the community. At present, we are using a mosque which has been given to us by the community to set up the school. Alhamdulilla the compound is very big and has a lot of potential yet funds are required to develope the place.

We are therefore requesting for donations from muslims to help in making Ansaar what we hope it to be.

You may either wish to help Ansaar either in cash or in kind to construct proper classrooms and toilets for the school.

In total, Ansaar requires: £3500 / $4900 / D127, 000 to refurbish the mosque. For more information, please email us for a copy of the budget lines.

As for him who giveth and fears [God] / And believeth in goodness / Surely We will ease his way unto the state of ease. (Al-Layl, 92:5-7).

If you live in the US, you may contribute to Ansaar via Western Union to The Ansaar’s Humming Bees Early Development Institute c/o Brother Abubakar Jeng or to Sister Fatou Barry.

If you live in the UK, you may contribute to Anssar via Bayba UK limited on http://www.bayba.co.uk/ . The commission charge begins at only £5 (pounds).

If you live in Gambia, please contact the Amir Abubakar Jeng on 7712663 or drop your donation at the Old Josh wang mosque.

Inshallah, we thank you all in advance for your contribution in all forms, even simply for your intention and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

If you require more information on Ansaar, you may contact the following people on:-

Brother Abubakar Jeng – (00220) 7712663

Brother Moosa Nyang – (00220 6518400

Sister Fatou Barry – (00220) 6608555 or 7008555

Fatima Jobe – (00220) 6611553 0r 7711555

Jazakallahu Khair

Fatou.

Your Prophet’s (SAW) Invitation Card – Have You Passed On His Message?

Deadline: 7th Oct 2008

UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETED 7TH OCTOBER 2008 – ALL FUNDS RAISED, ALHAMDULILLAH!

Request:

To help raise money towards printing dawah material for non-Muslims. Currently IslamBradford has a book at the publishers produced by themselves entitled: ‘What Is Islam?’. The publisher originally was to print the book for free as it had only been 5 pages, however, after revising and expanding the whole booklet it ended up as 17 pages and the publisher will now have to charge for the project.

1,000 copies – £788 (1,464.60 USD)
2,000 copies – £907 (1,685.32 USD)

Approx 78p (1.45 USD) per booklet

Please donate towards a Dawah Booklet today..if you can’t donate please contribute by passing on this invitation to those you know!

The more money we raise…..
The more booklets we can inshAllah produce and distribute to Non-Muslims.
Don’t miss out on the rewards.. JazakumAllahu khairan!

Please comment to motivate others:

http://halfdate.com/2008/09/09/ramadan-generosity-drive#comment

Contents of the Booklet:

The booklet consists of two chapters, ‘What is the purpose of your life?’ and ‘What is Islam?’

After printing of the booklet, it will InshaAllah be distributed to non-Muslims around throughout several cities around the region of Yorkshire.

Below is a short extract from the booklet which should you give you a better understanding InshaAllah of the theme and contents of the book:

“What then is the basic theme of this amazing authentic book; the Qur’an?

It is the supreme Oneness of Allah including His Names, Attributes, the relationship between the Almighty and His creatures and how man should maintain that relationship. It tells us about the continuity of the Prophets and Messengers, their lives, their messages and their overall mission and it insists upon the following of the final and universal example of Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets and Messengers.

It reminds human beings of the shortness of this life and calls them towards the eternity of the next life. After you die and you leave this earth you are going somewhere whether you accept it not. You are responsible because you have been told even if you have rejected the message, because the aim of this life is not for you to sit around and do nothing and have no effect. Every cause has an effect and you came into this life for a cause and a purpose, therefore it must have an effect.”

IslamBradford is an UK Islamic Dawah Organisation and registered charity (no. 1105942) established in January 2004.

IB Aims

We (IslamBradford) strive to follow the methodology of following the Qur’an & Sunnah, based upon the understanding of the pious predecessors.  IslamBradford is committed to co-operating with other organisations and is open to all, and have the following aims:

1. To invite Muslims back to the true teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]) in both beliefs and practices;
2. To invite to and educate non-Muslims about the true teachings of Islam;
3. To engage and contribute to the community in which we live.

IB Vision

Share Our Vision: To Launch A 21st Century English Language Islamic Centre in Bradford for All

IB Events

IslamBradford strive to organise monthly events where well known shayookh and speakers are invited to give lectures to our community, naming afew: Bilal Philips, Yasir Qadhi, Imam Anwar Awlaki, Tawfique Choudhury, Haitham al-Hadad, Murtaza Khan, Salim Al Amry and more. Alhamdulillah.

InshaAllah you can watch many of IslamBradford events here in audio and video format: http://www.islamictube.net/user/3365/videos/public

Friday Khutbah in English

Well over fifty khutbas have been delivered in English at the IslamBradford Centre since its inception. The response has been tremendous. There has been an attempt to balance both traditional and contemporary content. The Friday sermon is IslamBradford’s flagship programme attracting at times in excess of two hundred people from all genders, backgrounds and walks of life. Khateebs at IB are carefully selected for their adherence to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah and ability to convey the message of Islam in a relevant and lively way in native English. One brother recently commented that not only are the khutbas at IB probably the best in Bradford but also are probably the best in the UK!

“I advise you to go to the centre and attend the Friday khutba and prayer also: it is a very good environment that has made me feel at ease and energised to be a great Muslim. I go to the centre several times in the average week. I believe that you, too, will not regret going, and Allah will be pleased with that”- Abdul Majid Isa [Bradford]

IB also give Khutba Training Seminars (click here).

IB Being Active

IB plays an active part enganging with non-Muslims and Muslims within our community, listing a few of their participations:

• Ramadan Program – Communal iftaars with short reminder before, Tarawih, Qiyamul Layl, Zakatul Fitr collection, and Eid Prayer

• IslamBradford Madrassa
• Various Regular IB classes – Tajweed, Tawheed, Tasfir, Hadith
• Sunday Little Companions – a mothers and toddlers group running for three years
• Helping Japan Madrasah
• IslamBradford visits St. Philips Primary School
• IslamBradford Supports the Kurdish Community
• Bert DeVroey, a journalist from the Belgium Public Radio, visited the IslamBradford Centre as part of a nine day fact finding tour about the Muslim community in Bradford.After attending the Friday sermon at the centre, Mr DeVroey interviewed several members of the IslamBradford management team and expressed his great surprise at what he had observed
• Funday Events, the sisters at IslamBradford hold annual FunDays for women and children. Alhamdulillah, with the help of Allah, raising thousands for the New Islambradford Centre Appeal

• IslamBradford participated in the launch of the Bradford Supplementary Schools Network. The event was attended by a large number of organisations representing schools, mosques and Islamic centres from all over Bradford.
• IslamBradford participated in a second training session in conjunction with the Bradford District Care Trust, NHS. The subject of the training was the use of the Noble Qur’an in curing.
• IB were kindly invited to deliver a general introduction to Islam to the sixth form at Ackworth School, Pontefract.
• IB opening its doors to a range of senior managers from NHS Mental health Services in Bradford seeking to learn about Muslim communities and their sensitivities in accessing healthcare. The NHS managers found the opportunity genuinely useful and this can be appreciated by some of the comments made: “This was a great opportunity to learn about Muslim communities in a relaxed and informal environment” and “I felt I could ask questions, I wouldn’t dare to ask usually”.
• IB hold ‘drop-in surgeries’ to offer an opportunity for non Muslims to find out more about Islam and also for Muslims to seek Islamic advice/counselling.
• The IslamBradford hold Islamic Libraries Exhibition within the UK (Ilkley, Baildon). This project has been a great success, now operational for more than two years. The exhibition has attracted great interest from the public due to the continual interest in Islam and Muslims in the media.

New Shahada’s

Below are afew of the new shahada’s taken at IB

• Stephen Prince from Leeds visited the IslamBradford Centre and declared his shahadah (testimony of faith).
• Billy Kneewshaw took his testimony of faith (shahadah) at the IslamBradford Centre. Billy had been working with Brother Abu Bakr Qasim (who incidentally was one of the Imams at the IslamBradford Centre in Ramadan) and had taken the opportunity to learn more about Islam. His journey was typical of that of many of those guided to the light of Islam. Alongside mixing with practising Muslims he started to study a translation of the Quran.
• Alhamdulillah, by the Grace of Allah another sister has just accepted Islam as her way of life. Sister Saylan Quan, originally from Vietnam, took the Shahadah on Friday just before the Jumuah prayer. Saylan, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, with family in Bradford, had been interested in Islam since she was 16 years old. However, it was only until last October that she started to seriously study Islam and began attending the sisters classes on Sundays at IslamBradford.
• On Eid ul Adha, Sister Vicky McNulty took her shahadah prior to the Eid salah so that she could join her fellow Muslims in worship. She was very emotional and commented afterwards that she felt a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders’. Sister Fran Littlewood accepted Islam on Sunday 6th Jan 2008.
• Brother Nick, Sister Heidi and Sister Elaine, all of who Alhamdullilah accepted Islam at the IslamBradford Centre during Ramadan, 2007.
• At the end of Yusef Estes’s lecture at IB, Brother Steven Cross pronounced the testimony of faith, firstly in English and then in Arabic.. the Shaikh and many in the audience were reduced to tears as.

• “I took my Shahada [after Jumuah prayers at the IslamBradford Centre in front of more than two hundred people] and embraced Islam as my way of life. With the blessings of Allah, I intend to take an active part in spreading Dawah within my community.” – John McGhie

• By giving basic Dawah, meeting on the streets and speaking to others about Islam, Brother Vladimir of Slovak origin gave Shahadah
• Alhamdullillah, two sisters took their Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) at the ‘New Muslim Sisters Gathering’ at IB

We ask everyone to remember us in their prayers and for Allah to bless us and allow us to continue striving in spreading the true message of Islam.

–

The Messenger of Allah (S) said: ‘Whoever gives the amount of a date in Sadaqah (charity) from good halal earnings – and know that Allah does not accept but that which is good, Allah will accept it with His Right Hand and will nurture the Sadaqah for its giver as you nurture your young colts, until the Sadaqah becomes like the Mount of Uhud.’ [Hadeeth, Bukhaari and Muslim]

May Allah accept your Sadaqah and make it grow the size of Mountain Uhud, Ameen.

Assalam alaikum

Let me ask you a question.

What happens… if you with 100 thousand other Muslims gave $1 to ONE project at one time?

Suddenly, your $1 made an impact of 100K dollars!

This is no longer a theory…

Muslims from around the world have experience it through HalfDate.com.

HalfDate.com is a Sadaqa promotion site.

The name HalfDate is inspired by the hadith of the prophet (SAW), where he said: protect yourself from the fire, even with a half a date donation, and if you can’t, then with a pleasant word.

And now, you are invited to take an active role to help HalfDate grow into the BIGGEST Sadaqa engine on the Net, in-sha-Allah.

How? Simple, the least you can do is to join the mailing list.

Okay, so what’s the secret of success for HalfDate?

The simple answer is learning from the Quran and the Sunnah.

Here are the principles that we’ve learned and applied on HalfDate.com

1. Focused volume

At the beginning, I asked you: what happens if you with 100 thousand other Muslims gave $1. But I didn’t stop there. Had I stopped there, it would be called volume, but not FOCUSED.

Focused volume is when a large group of Muslims gives to the same project at the same time.

And that’s what we do on HalfDate. Every month we specify a measurable goal and a deadline within that month.

And we learned this principle from Islam, from all congregational worship, such as Hajj. You perform Hajj with other Muslims, all in the same place and at the same time.

2. Load balancing

Sometimes giving all your money away can’t cover all the needs in your community. So, with HalfDate, the load of your local community is distributed across the Ummah.

And that we learned from the hadith that the believers are like a body, if one organ is sick, the whole body comes to the rescue.

3. Instant gratification

Why is this important? Because Allah, our creator, told us that we are impatient. So, with HalfDate, you know that your contribution makes an immediate difference, unlike other charity work, you may donate $10K to build a masjid and after 5 years, the project still doesn’t have enough funds.

4. Something for everyone

HalfDate drives are not just about donations, because Sadaqa in Islam is a broad concept. With HalfDate, even when you can’t donate half a date, you can still leave a comment as the hadith says a pleasant word.

Also, HalfDate gives you a variety of donation drives, you may help out in a Dua drive or a recycling drive… it all depends on what you are interested in.

5. Grassroots discovery

Remember the story where Abu Bakr (RA) used to check at night on the condition of Muslims? That’s how he discovered who needs what kind of help. Same here, HalfDate discovers projects from the comments that you leave on the site. That’s how we learned about people who shy away from asking.

As in sura al-thariyat and almararij, Allah wants us to give to both, those who ask and those who don’t.

So, if you want to share the success and make an impact with half a date or a pleasant word, join the mailing list at http://halfdate.com

Email from Br Jalal Ibn Sa’eed…

As-salaamu ‘Alaikum – Do you remember me?

I pray you are all in the best of health and upon peeks of piety, Ameen.

http://1eid.net

http://alfitrah.com

http://jamattimes.com

http://alshura.tv

http://dawaart.com

I am writing you because you when I was calling out to the public to give live on Islam Channel to a worthy cause you were one of the few who opened their hearts and gave either a generous donation or words of comfort and support for the pleasure of your Lord. Here I am calling out again hoping you will once again open your hearts and give again either a donation or carry the words, the message on to others. This time it is for a joyous occasion insha’Allah.

Eid is around the corner and we are planning and preparing now. It is so important that we succeed in achieving THREE simple goals.

1. Eid prayer be held away from the masjid (This is the correct method for Eid prayer)

2. Women (majority of them) are invited to join us for Eid prayer as commanded by the sunnah

3. Give the children an exciting, fun and adventurous celebration, one they will never forget.
(its sad our kids love religious celebrations of other faiths because our Eid is boring for them)

We need as much collected as possible by the end of July so we can secure a venue, book the massive marquees which serve as an outdoor prayer hall as well as a later stage tent for nasheeds / lectures and other activities, fun fair rides, bouncy castles, security and all the rest that is needed to make the above THREE a reality.

Please give a lot because it is going to take a lot – www.justgiving.com/youreid

I am hoping that with this email I will be able to convince at least ten blessed believers to donate £1000+, another ten £500+, and as many people to give at least £100 each. If you don’t and I don’t make this happen then who will? We are Allah’s believers, His grateful servants. Besides, I have a really good feeling about writing you and I really think you will definitely do your part because I am doing mine. In fact, my family says I am doing the part of many who for some reason or other have not done their part. I need your help and the Muslim is a supporting brick to another.

Did you know we launched this event last year and it was a huge success? We set a park up as described for about 3 thousand Muslims but we were surprised and overwhelmed by over 12 thousand Muslims. Have you seen the 1Eid DVD? Order your copy today or if you make a sincere donation then request a free copy be sent to you so you can watch how incredible it was and how thousands of children were over the moon and said they would never forget 1Eid 2007.

This is reviving the Sunnah and it is a sadaqah Jariyyah to benefit us all and our long gone loved ones, even those we didn’t know. It is very important for us to engage in such a public event to share our celebrations with those who are not Muslim (yet) so that they may get to know us and see us for whom we are and not what the media portrays insha’Allah. There is so much I want to tell you but I don’t want to carry on until you write back and tell me what you think about this project 1Eid.

I also want you to ask me about ECC (Eid Celebration Committee) which is being launched this August in central London at a dinner gala with Sheikh Salim al Amry and Sheikh Bilal Philips. Many more will be present and many presentations as well as speeches will be delivered insha’Allah so it will be a night you will not want to miss. We are working hard to unite the Eid in this country and hope to do so with your continuous help and support. Email and ask about tickets to this dinner which is not only going to revive a major Sunnah but also impact the nation.

I challenge you to do your part by not only giving as much as you can but also by helping us promote 1Eid with your friends and family. I so badly need you to speak to them because I have no contact with them except through you. If you do not speak to them on my behalf then they cannot know nor can they gain the rewards of this Sunnah revival. Words cannot express how major this is and how exciting it is and I have too many words but I want you to ask for them.

Sincerely,

Jalal ibn Sa’eed
www.1eid.net
info@1eid.net
0208 429 0001

Also ask about:

1. Being part of it (volunteer)
2. Sponsoring (your company exposed to thousands)
3. The Pre Eid Dinner Gala
4. Brother Ameen’s Dream – he passed away at age 26 on Dec 1st 2007, after last eid: http://www.justgiving.com/ameensiddiqui1eidproject [We miss him every day and we ask Allah to grant him paradise, ameen]
5. The Jamattimes.com Project

Donation Options:

1. Prayer area set up for 10 thousand worshipers (£3 per person)
(How many prayer spaces will you sponsor?)

2. Gift bags for children – £2 per bag per child
(last year we gave away 500 blue gift bags and 500 pink)
(they deserve to smile on eid with a wonderful bag full of surprises on Eid)

3. Gift bags for Adults – £3 per bag per adult
(last year we gave away 3 thousand gift bags)

4. Breakfast on Eid – £3 per person
(last year we gave free breakfast to over 2 thousand)
(sisters did not have to stay home and cook for the men)

5. Sponsored Free fun fair rides – £1 per person per ride
(last year we gave away hundreds of free rides)

6. Prizes for children who are Hafith Qur’an £100 minimum each prize
(last years prizes were a laptop, toys and two electric motorbikes)

Please give a lot because it is going to take a lot – www.justgiving.com/youreid

* If you have a company and would like to gain incredible exposure by having a 12 foot banner saying Eid Mubarak from (business name) then get in touch for a company sponsor pack insha’Allah.

Vacancy no longer available.

New Horizon Community School, Leeds, UK.

Start Date: September 2008 or As Soon As Possible There After

Salary: Negotiable

As an improving school in Leeds we are focused on raising the expectations and achievements of our culturally diverse pupils. From September 2008, we need an exceptional, new Head teacher. It is a demanding, but rewarding role.

This is your chance to make an impact and transform our school. Your strong leadership skills will empower our staff and pupils, while your clear vision, commitment and pastoral sensitivity will strengthen the school’s Islamic ethos.

Having headed a complex urban school,’ you will thrive on challenge; have excellent communication skills, experience of change management and a track record of raising standards.

Above all, your high ambitions for the school and strong belief in our children and their futures will move us forward to become the school we have the potential to be.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Application packs will be sent post. Please contact school administrator 01132 624001.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Mrs Sakinah Dambatta, Head Teacher on 01132 624001.

Closing Date: 30th June 2008

Telephone: 01132 624001

Address: Newton Hill House
Newton Hill Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS7 4JE