Building Blocks for Muslimas

Reflection: Almaghrib-izing with the Sisters

23 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by bb4muslimas in Notes & Reminders Tags: Almaghrib Institute, Events, Masjid, Reflections

Assalamu Alaykum Wara7matullah,

Alhamdulillah, the outcome of our very first BB4Muslimas event of the summer turned out to be an amazing success! In terms of numbers, 20 Muslimas–their ages widely ranged–attended to “Almaghrib-ize” with us although many more promised to come. Nevertheless, our success is measured by quality rather than quantity; we received exceedingly positive feedback from our attendees and we praise Allah (swt) for that.

 Here’s the layout of our event for those of you who couldn’t make it:

At 3:00 :: Set up of powerpoint presentation & refreshments table by Srs. Hina, Chaltu & Ayah

At 3:30 :: Introductory speech about Almaghrib Institute by Sr. Rania

At 4:00 :: Official “Almaghrib-izing” begins; screening of six 10-15min videos by Almaghrib Institute Instuctors; introductions to these Instructors given by Sr. Nadia

At 5:30 :: Short intermission for Crescent Moon Pizza and Asr Prayer

A 5:45 :: Screening of a seventh short video by an Almaghrib Institute Instructor, followed by a discussion/reflection and clean-up

If you wish to view the selected videos from our powerpoint presentation, click on the hyperlinks below:

• Muhammad Alshareef :: Leaving a Legacy
• Riad Ouarzazi :: Valley of the Seekers
• Yasir Qadhi :: ‘Ilm Summit’s Poetry Face-Off
• Navaid Aziz :: Trials & Tribulations
• Abdulbary Yahya :: Narrating Father’s Death
• Abu Eesa Niamatullah :: Boys & Girls: A Love Story
• Saed Rageah :: Story of Abu Dahdah

We originally intended to watch one last video (45 min long), but we ran out of time in the end. Insha’Allah we will screen this longer production during our next Almaghrib-izing Event. We hope to see you all then!

Comment from Attendee:

I wanted to take a minute and share some moments and testimonials from yesterday’s BB4Muslimahs Almaghribizing Event.

First off, the sisters who planned this all did such a wonderful job.. They really did their homework and presented Almaghrib and the instructors with passion and supported everything with facts. We have to recognize the sisters who did all the effort behind the scenes as well- planning, advertising, taking care of refreshments..etc. May Allah (swt) bestow His barakah on all of them.

The best part of this entire event was how educational it was. The videos they picked were phenomenal, insha Allah they can send the list out so everyone can benefit from them. They also passed out index cards before we started and encouraged everyone to write down something new or impacting they learned from the videos.. what a great idea! It lead to some great discussions afterward and it made sure everyone took something new to add to their knowledge before they went home!

One of the sisters who attended yesterday said “I can feel the sisterhood in this room”, she also said she can see these same sisters who are so enthusiastic to learn from these shyoukh one day will be teaching gatherings of sisters just like the one yesterday.. may Allah (swt) truly bless and guide them to make that happen!

Whether Almaghrib comes to the TwinCities or not, I can already see that lives have been transformed! I am reminded of the hadeeth in which the Prophet (s) described the seven whom Allah will shade on the Day when there is no Shade except His.. the sisters yesterday fulfilled at least 2 of those seven types: Youth who grew up in the worship of Allah and sisters who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that.

Insha’Allah we will have more events like this…

And Insha’Allah we will! Jazakum Allah to everyone who attended and/or supported our Almaghrib-izing efforts. May Allah swt reward us all.

Wassalamu Alaykum Wara7matullah,
–BB4Muslimas Youth Team