IMANews: Sha'ban 1444 AH, Feb-Mar 2023
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum / Peace be upon you!
Crescent Moon for the Month of Shaban 1444 AH
Crescent moon for Shaban 1444 AH was sighted in San Diego, CA on Monday February 20, 2023. Based on the possibility of the moon being sight-able on Monday February 20, 2023 (even though it may have required an optical aid to locate it), after consultation with other scholars on the west coast, Tuesday February 21, 2023, is the first of Shaban 1444 AH for us in Seattle.
We ask God, the Most High, for success in performing good deeds and to hasten the Return of Our Master, Imam Mahdi (p).
Important Islamic Events this Month:
3 Shaban Feb 23 Wiladat of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (p), 3 A.H.
4 Shaban Feb 24 Wiladat of Abu Fadl al-Abbas (p), 26 A.H.
5 Shaban Feb 25 Wiladat of Imam Ali ibn Hussain (p) , 38 A.H.
15 Shaban Mar 7 Wiladat of Imam al-Mahdi (p), 255 A.H.
Daily Dhur and Maghreb and Friday congregational prayers are being held in person at the IMAN Center. Congregational Prayer Timings are published on the IMAN home page.
Weekly Qur'an circle is scheduled for every Thursday at 7:00 PM.
Weekly Dua Kumail program also takes place in person at the IMAN Center at 8:00 PM each Thursday.
Wiladats and wafats are observed on the Thursday closest to the actual date.
Additional programs will be posted under ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS on the IMAN home page once all program details are finalized.
Our Shaban 1444 AH Guest Speaker
We look forward to hosting Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina, Professor and Endowed IIIT Chair in Islamic Studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia on March 10-11th, 2023.
Dr. Sachedina, a Tanzania born American citizen who has studied in India, Iraq, Iran and Canada, obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. He has been conducting research and writing in the field of Islamic Law, Ethics and Theology (Sunni and Shiite) for more than four decades. In the last fifteen years he has concentrated on social and political ethics, including Interfaith and Intrafaith Relations, Islamic Biomedical Ethics and Islam and Human Rights.
We often question the validity of the inner state of our faith. We think doubt in religious matters is nothing less than disbelief (kufr). The real test of the truthfulness of our claim to possess faith comes when we begin to doubt the validity of our rare experience of al-ghayb (known and yet invisible). On Friday March 10th, 2023, in his presentation titled "Development of Spirituality in Religious Praxis: A Journey from “is” to “ought.”, Dr Sachedina will undertake to evaluate an important tradition that speaks to all of us in modern times whose major struggle is to understand and devote our life to religious truth in the context of rational modernity – our essential and existential reality today.
In his second lecture on Saturday March 11th, 2023, Dr. Sachedina will discuss the essential challenge to understand the modern advancements in science and applied technology. This period of uncertainties challenges entire humanity; can we afford to remain neutral and inactive bystanders, who have disregarded their essential right to understand the ramifications of advanced technology that is impinging upon their dignity as human person. Without the basic knowledge of the phenomenal scientific progression, whose most appealing application is the possibility of carrying out gene editing to provide lasting cure to incurable diseases; and, whose most negative aspect, without necessary regulatory guidelines might turn out to be the AI Chat-GPT. These applications have the potential of perverting the basic decency of our membership in human global community.
Please refer to our events schedules for program details this month.
2023 membership
It is time to renew annual membership at IMAN if you have not already done.
Membership dues ($300.00 per annum) help cover operational expenses in the running of IMAN. These expenses include utilities, water, sewer, garbage, insurance, parking lot property taxes, kitchen/bathroom/cleaning supplies, landscaping, cleaning and general repairs and maintenance.
Membership dues can be remitted using a personal check to IMAN, 515 State St S, Kirkland, WA 98033 or using Zelle to accounts@iman-wa.org.
Ramadhân Planning
Volunteers are needed to help plan and run programs. e-mail to programs@iman-wa.org if you are willing to help.
City of Kirkland's volunteer leadership positions
“Would you like to contribute your time and experience as a member of the City of Kirkland's advisory Boards and Commissions?
Please review the current Board and Commission vacancies and consider these opportunities to get involved with your community! Visit the Current Recruitment Positions webpage or call the City Clerk’s Office at 425-587-3190 to learn more about each board, eligibility requirements, and to apply.
Members of the advisory boards are appointed by the City Council. Interviews will be scheduled with the City Council at a time and date to be determined.
Sunday School
The second Parent Meeting was held on January 29, 2023. A significant number of parents participated in the meeting. The meeting notes will be shared with all parents and teachers who were not able to attend the meeting in person.
IMAN Sunday school hosted its first post-pandemic Buloogh class for both Girls and Boys on February 11th, 2008. The 1 hour class was followed with Mothers and daughters tea party. Fathers and sons enjoyed a pizza party.
The school will be hosting the annual Imam Ali Art competition during February. Submissions will be due on February 22nd, 2023.
The annual Iman Sunday School Bake Sale will be on March 5th, 2023, from 1:30-4pm.
Sunday School class schedule will shift to Daylight-Saving time on March 12, 2022.
Social Services
Monthly community dinners IMAN hosts with St. John’s is a great opportunity to serve. Those interested to help, please contact Br. Abbas Kazmi or send mail to socialservices@iman-wa.org.
Sr. Sidra Naqvi continues to coordinate meals every other Sunday to the Seattle Tent City. Several spots have been reserved to provide future meals at shelters. If you are interested in helping, please contact Sister Sidra Naqvi (425) 273 1463 or e-mail iman@iman-wa.org.