As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum / Peace be upon you!
Crescent Moon for the Month of Shaban 1441 AH
There were no verified sightings of the crescent moon by the naked eye at sunset on Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 in any region of North America. Wednesday March 25th, 2020 was the last day of the month of Rajab and Thursday, March 26th, 2020, is the first day of the month of Shaban, 1441 A.H.
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 Mar 28 Wiladat of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (p), 3 A.H.
4 Shaban Mar 29 Wiladat of Abu Fadl al-Abbas (p), 26 A.H.
5 Shaban Mar 30 Wiladat of Imam Ali ibn Hussain (p) , 38 A.H.
15 Shaban Apr 9 Wiladat of Imam al-Mahdi (p), 255 A.H.
Please refer to our events schedules for program details this month.
COVID-19: Stand Together. Stay Apart. Draw Spiritual Strength.
We are beginning to normalize to a new routine in extra-ordinary times. We're all in this together. Just 6 feet apart. Together, we can and must slow the spread of COVID-19.
Physical distancing is about being physically apart from others, to help stop the spread of the virus. However, we aren't being asked to cut down socializing, as a matter of fact, technology today lets us do nearly anything virtually! Socially, we can need to stick together - just in a virtual way!
Yes, you can:
Stay at home and read a good book!
Check in with your loved ones on the phone or via email
Have an online game night with friends
Go for essential needs such as groceries (but stay 6 feet apart from others)
Pick up medication
Take a walk or a bike ride
Call an elderly or a neighbor to check on them
Check out our resources page and make 'staying at home' fun!
No, You cannot:
Get together in person with friends and family
Have a sleepover or a play date
Go to parks and/or other places to 'hang out'
Go out for non-essential needs.
We look forward to everyone joining us via Zoom every Thursday at 8:00 PM as well as resuming our Virtual Sunday School starting this Sunday. Virtual School will have the same weekly time of 10:30 AM but using Zoom from the comfort of your home.
As we face uncertainty, we must remain calm creating a balance between structure and flexibility, use our time to do something joyful and meaningful. Here is an on-line session from our Toronto Jamaat on Protecting your Mental and Emotional Health as we endure the COVID-19 crisis that might be helpful.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are in need of help. To join IMAN Center WhatsApp Group, please click here.
Sunday School
Though our building (IMAN Center) is closed, the Sunday School committee is working hard to make and implement decisions that best support our students, families, volunteer staff and community.
School administrators and teachers met last Sunday to develop a plan to keep your child engaged and connected. They want to provide opportunities for normalcy in our students’ lives during this current situation.
School committee members have been communicating with Madrasah Center of Excellence (MCE) with the Tarbiyah Series book and are obtaining information and recommendation to share with teachers and Students fo on-line classes.
As details get worked during this school closure, a priority is to keep your child engaged in Islamic learning by providing Islamic learning resources.
We believe in the dedication and ingenuity of our volunteer teaching staff. Teachers miss our students and want to help you in innovative ways to support Islamic learning for your student. Starting this week, they will be providing enrichment opportunities in multiple modes for families who choose to participate, in ways such as:
Reaching out to students in interactive formats (examples: Zoom Sessions on Sundays during Sunday School hours)
Providing opportunities for students to keep up on their skills using multiple options such as remote learning technology as well as some traditional strategies (examples: projects, reading assignments, videos etc.)
Please look for communication coming your way this week via email and/or WhatsApp.
Also, a plan for next Sunday wil be presented during Thursday's Celebration of the birth of our Imams. Please join in via Zoom at 8:00 pm for Dua e Kumail program, which will be followed by Wiladat celebrations and a school discussion.
Our guiding principles in our planning are: safety, connection, learning, collaboration, accountability and fun. This is an unprecedented situation that we are all navigating together. We appreciate your partnership for learning. We wish your family health and wellness.
February cloth drive was a great success. 1021 pounds of clothes were collected and donated to Value Village. Thanks to all those who participated and extra thanks to the organizers.
English 1 on 1
One of our up and coming youth, Sister Mariam Kazmi, wants to dedicate some of her new found free time to offer English 1 on 1 online classes over Zoom at no cost to anyone who wants to improve their English proficiency. She urges us to make the most of the time we have been given in this extra ordinary times . In the lessons, she will be covering the vocabulary STUDENTS want to learn along with the grammar corresponding to the vocabulary sets of THEIR choice! Those interested can send e-mail to iman@iman-wa.org. Listed below are some English 1 on 1 social media and online web resources that she has developed for her course:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakingenglish2019/
More online tutoring
Sister Orchideh Esfandiari who teaches college level Biology has offered to provide free online tutoring in college Biology (Physiology and Anatomy) as well as with grades 5-12 school work. Those interested can send e-mail to iman@iman-wa.org.
Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund
Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund (Relief Fund), is a new program intended to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and small nonprofits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. The Relief Fund is open to all qualifying applicants: applicants do not need to be Chamber members to apply. For more information, including application details and information on contributing to the fund, please visit the Chamber’s website
Census 2020
All of us would by now have received an invitation to respond to the 2020 Census. Your help is needed to count everyone in the United States by providing information about all adults, children, and babies living or staying at the address where the invitation to respond was sent.
Results from the 2020 Census will be used to:
Direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
Help our community prepare to meet transportation and emergency readiness needs.
Determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and your political representation at all levels of government.
The Census Bureau is using the internet to securely collect your information.
The census is so important that your response is required by law, and your answers are kept completely confidential.
If you need help completing your 2020 Census questionnaire, please call toll-free 1-844-330-2020.
Visit 2020census.gov for further information.
King County Orders issued related to COVID-19:
City of Kirkland COVID-19 related Resource Pages:
Additional COVID-19 guidelines/resources: