Dear Brothers and Sisters, السالم عليكم, On behalf of MCC, Ramadan Mubarak to all of you. I hope you are all in good health and are keeping safe in this trying time for mankind. May our duas during this month be the source that leads to finding the cure for this pandemic. At the MCC, I ask that you all realize that our world does not stop as Muslims. Maybe our day to day activities have changed in terms of work and our daily routine, but our duties as Muslims have not changed. Perhaps there is no prayer at the masjid, nor are there community iftars; however, our responsibilities as Muslims continue. We are still fasting, we are still making our daily prayers, and in Ramadan--- we may pray more and read the Quran more because that is what we do. Instead of feeling sorrow that we cannot go to the masjid to worship Allah, let us think about how we can make this month even more spiritual. We are confined to our homes with our family. Only Allah (S) will know that we are fasting, only He will know that we are praying our prayers and staying up during the night to pray. Only He will see if we wake up for suhoor and pray Fajr. This may be the purest form of worship. Of course, in an ideal world, we want to pray together and eat together--- but this month, by necessity, will be different. And let us

(Continued on page 3)

President’s Report

The Message A Publication of the Muslim Community Center, Chicago, ILA Publication of the Muslim Community Center, Chicago, ILA Publication of the Muslim Community Center, Chicago, IL

Vol. 50 / No. 5/ RamadanVol. 50 / No. 5/ RamadanVol. 50 / No. 5/ Ramadan———Shawwal 1441/ May 2020Shawwal 1441/ May 2020Shawwal 1441/ May 2020

This Ramadan, our challenges will test our character and imaan. Given the COVID-19 situation, it may seem disheartening to think the masjid doors are closed. However, Believers do not become disheartened, but instead, look to strengthen their resolve and imaan. You, too, can strengthen your resolve and imaan by donating towards MCC this Ramadan. You cannot thank Allah swt enough when you stop to think of His countless blessings. Allah SWT blessed you for having this masjid. While we may not be able to attend at the moment, here you pray obligatory prayers, Jummah prayers, and Taraweeh prayers in congregation, thus receiving 25 times more blessings. You can learn Tajweed, Tafseer, and Ahadith to strengthen your imaan. Here you can attend public events that spread the word of Allah SWT and bring communities together. Ramadan programs are still happening now though virtually. Imam's halaqahs, sisters' halaqahs, and various events for families and children are there for all to partake. Allah SWT also allowed you to get more blessings when you contribute towards the upkeep of this masjid. By the grace of Allah SWT, this masjid facilitates close to two million sujoods by musalees like you every year. On the Day of Judgement, this masjid will testify to you performing salah and fulfilling your obligations to contribute your fair share for its maintenance and upkeep. In Sha Allah. You will get more blessings when you make the intention to invoke Sadaqatul-Jariyah for your parents, who raised you to be a practicing Muslim, to be successful in this life and the Hereafter. In Sha Allah, you will set an example for your children, your future. Quran: The person who lends to Allah, a good lending will receive many times more”. (2:245) This Ramadan, while you are in the safety and comfort of your home, please donate generously towards MCC to be able to bring these programs to you until we can all meet at the masjid again very soon. Please donate here:

MCC Ramadan Drive

Ophthalmologist, Dr. Rand Diab Explains “Blue Light”

With so much of our lives “online” now eyesight is a concern with the increased amount of blue light exposure, mainly if it causes blindness. Dr. Diab explains: In short, no. Blue light from screens doesn’t cause blindness. Some misinformation spread after research was conducted about the effect of blue light on retinal - a chemical present in the eye. But the results cannot be extrapolated to the real world bc the study doesn’t reflect what happens in live eyes. *Retinal is toxic to some cells even when not exposed to blue light. *Human retina cells are protected from these possibly toxic effects by proteins.

*There were other cells that were exposed to retinal & blue light in the study that would not be exposed to blue light in the human body. (Blue light only reaches the skin & eyes -nothing deeper.) If you are concerned about the effects of screens on your eyes, the most common issues are dryness & strain. Screens suppress our blink response & keep us focused at one distance. So remember the 20-20-20 rule: look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, and blink a lot!

Follow Dr. Diab on Instagram @randdiabmd

https://mccchicago.org/mcc-ramadan-drive/

The Qur’an says, “…And do not waste [God’s bounties]: Verily, He does not love the wasteful!” (Al-Anam: 6-141). So we should avoid wasting time, water, food, energy, wealth, and even our words (by avoiding useless talking and arguing). As a result of our excessive consumption, human pollution causes much destruction and disharmony in the environment with our carbon footprints. Take a holistic approach by going green this Ramadan. While we refrain from food and drink, let’s all make an intention to also refrain from mindlessly buying, regularly replacing, and casually disposing of with what we are blessed. Here are some ideas to reduce, reuse, recycle, and re-think. In a hadith, the Prophet (SAS) says: “Never waste water even if you were at a running stream.” (Ahmad) While brushing your teeth or washing your

hands for twenty seconds, turn the faucet down to just a trickle. Perform an eco-wudu, which is simply following the sunnah. Rather than let the water run while performing wudu, the sunnah is to use the equivalent of two handfuls of water. With a wet hand, consciously wipe each body part, making sure each prescribed part is made wet. When you slow down and pay close attention like this, you truly get into the mindset for worship. Avoid wasting food & overeating: The Prophet (SAS) advised us to fill ⅓ of our stomach with food, ⅓ with water, and ⅓ air. Meat was not a daily part of His diet. He (SAS) never wasted a morsel of food. So carefully take only the amount of food you are sure you can finish. Avoid disposables: Buy stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic water bottles for your family to use repeatedly. Don’t use many dishes. If you use a cup and a plate for iftar, consider using the same one for dinner. It saves water and energy. Buy disposable dishware and utensils, made from bio-degradable, compostable or recycled materials. Then, recycle all the materials that your city accepts. Be careful with the food you buy: Your stomach is only 6” wide, so just because “it’s on sale” doesn’t mean you have to buy it, especially if it’s not good for you. Did you know our food travels over 1000 miles to get to our stores, using fossil fuel and creating pollution all along the way? Buy fresh food that is locally grown or from local markets. Even better, plant a garden. It is the safest and most nutritious to grow your herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Even if you have no outdoor space, get containers and go for it! There are many step-by-step tutorials online. Reduce excessive consumption: Shop responsibly. Use tote bags or plastic bags for groceries. If you do bring home plastic bags, use them as long as you can. Half a paper towel does most jobs. Ask restaurants not to use Styrofoam boxes. You will only use it for 20 minutes, but it will still exist for hundreds of years from now after you throw it away. Share the message of waste reduction and environmental responsibility with your family. If children learn these values from the start, they will establish

moderation in what they consume and live more holistically. In the Qur’an, we learn, “He has raised up the heaven and has set a balance that you may not transgress in the balance but weigh things equitably and do not be deficient in the balance. (55:7-9). Each of us bears this responsibility. If you want to learn more or get involved with MCC’s Green Team, email Dr. Sam at tulipboke@gmail.com.

MEC Women’s Committee is at work with online Zoom classes and events. On April 11th, we had a live session of Ladies Ramadan Prep. It had three parts, spiritual by Sr. Maryam Salman, getting organized by Sr. Khadija Ahmed and cooking demo by Srs. Thazneem Faiz and Melida Skenderi. Alhamdulillah, it was very beneficial and interactive, 76 ladies attended this session. Mommy and Me has been doing great work. Community children are memorizing surahs online. Surah Rahman memorization with Sr. Rania Abdulbari, and 30th juz memorization with two community teachers. If you or anyone you know who is interested in helping kids memorize surah’s voluntarily, please contact us at mecwomenscommittee@gmail.com.

Sign outside MCC Elston location

thanking front line heroes.

MCC Publication Committee is

starting a campaign using the above

hashtag #MCCTogether. To showcase

how our community is coming together

during this lockdown we request all of

you, our community, to use the

hashtag above when you post your

photographs, on any social media, of

your daily lives: online schooling, online

classes, halaqas, etc. There will be a

button on the website with this

hashtag where all the photos and posts

will be. Together we will support each

other through this. These photos will

archive how we came together as a

community. In Sha Allah.

#MCCTogether

MCC Publication Committee:

Syed Mahmood—Chair Shabnam Mahmood—Co-Chair/Editor-in-chief

Hafiz Ikhlas Ansari—Prayer Timetable

Mohsin Bhatty—Distribution

Anam Yakoub — Staff The Message is a monthly publication of the Muslim Com-munity Center that informs members of administration, organization and committee activities of MCC/MEC. Submit your questions and comments editormccpublica-tions@gmail.com. The opinions expressed in The Message do not necessarily represent those of the Publication Com-mittee. The editor reserves the right to edit all material.

Since this is an Islamic publication, please dispose of it in a respectable Islamic manner. Disposal bins available at MCC Elston.

The Youth Committee prays you and your family are staying healthy safe during this time. We understand that this is a difficult time for all and we are here to help in whatever way we can. · Quarantine Conversations on Instagram with Umair Haseeb; Wednesdays from 8:30pm - 9:15pm · Lessons from the Life of the Prophet Muhammed with Omer Lateef has moved to Instagram; Sundays from 2-2:45pm · Instagram #Quarantivity Challenge encourages the community youth to share what they have been spending their time during the quarantine. · Youth of MCC is offering Grocery & Medicine Free Delivery service for all elders and families in need in the Chicagoland area. Youth of MCC has partnered with Zakat & Welfare committee to serve people requesting

financial assistance. Since the launch of the service project on March 21st, we have taken 71 calls: - 13 were inquiries about the service - 51 were grocery & medicine orders - 7 were transferred to MCC Zakat & Welfare committee for financial assistance approval. *** · Sisterhood Circle has moved online and holds its weekly halaqa on Zoom from 7:30-9pm. They also started a Quran recitation group for ladies ages 13-30 every Friday starting at 1:00pm. To RSVP for either program, please visit them on Instagram @sisterhood.circle. · Sisterhood Circle, along with YMS Morton Grove, held a virtual paint night with artist Latifah Mustafa. · Youth of MCC will be holding live cooking demonstrations on Instagram featuring local youth showcasing their culinary talents. · Youth of MCC #muslimtiktok challenge went live at the beginning of April, and winners will be announced at the end of the month. · Please follow us on Instagram/

Facebook at @mccchicagoyouth and

@youthofmcc. If you have questions,

concerns, suggestions, or comments,

please reach out to our youth

coordinators: Sarah

Kadir, skadir@mccchicago.org & Aminah

McBryde-

Redzovic, aminah@mccchicago.org.

*** At the time of printing this program

has been suspended due to the

increased numbers of COVID-19 patients

and risk to the youth and their families.

Masha’Allah, the program ran five weeks

with approx. 100 orders delivered.

MCC Youth In ActionMCC Youth In Action

take advantage of it and use it as a positive experience as opposed to feeling sorry for ourselves. In Sha Allah, when this is over, we value our relationships even more, and we value our masjids even more and realize the emotional connection we have with it. With that being said, all of our masjids are in potential crisis as we are not holding prayers on Fridays or Tarawih prayers, and we will lose out on plenty of donations throughout the month. Also, we may lose plenty of opportunities to give zakat. But the MCC is still working on distributing zakat, and when we open up, we want to be ready for you. So, I urge you to please donate to the MCC to keep up with the maintenance of the masjid, our employees, our zakat program, and our schools. You can Quickpay to Treasury@mccchicago.org or go to our website and donate at mccchicago.org. We also have a

(President, Continued from page 1) Launchgood pay with our link attached. In Sha Allah, we will meet again and until then have a blessed Ramadan as well a wonderful Eid with your family. Regards, Kamran Hussain

president@mccchicago.org 847-452-5811 A new fence at MEC docking area

Send address corrections to: Muslim Community Center 4380 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60641 Phone: (773) 725-9047 Fax: (773) 725-1616 Membership Questions Alber42@gmail.com

Muslim Community Center 4380 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60641 www.mccchicago.org

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U.S. Postage PAID

Skokie, Illinois Permit No. 165

The Interfaith & Outreach Committee honored first responders by dropping off food packets on the first of Ramadan. The grateful staff at Swedish Covenant Hospital responded as follows: “To our friends at the Muslim Community Center, THANK YOU!!

On April 24th our very excited staff received an

amazing afternoon snack of spinach/cheese/meat pies from Libanais. We love our local restaurants and Libanais is one of our favorites. Thank you for your generosity and for thinking of us here in the Emergency Department at Swedish Hospital. The outpouring of love and support is awe-inspiring. Not all Hero’s wear capes and scrubs our Heroes are people like yourself that are

thinking of us and keeping us fueled. Sincerely, A very appreciative ER staff Jona Sorrisso Administrative Assistant Emergency Department” I&O delivered packages to not only Swedish Covenant Hospital ER, but also The Skokie Police Department , The Chicago PD 17th District, Skokie Northshore hospital ER with the following message on the card: “A gift from Muslim Community Center on the first day of Ramadan. Thank you from all of us! www.mccchicago.org” The Al-Fateh family donated boxes of snack and candy towards this cause. I&O is also compiling a gratitude video from the community’s youth which will be released soon. Masha’Allah. May Allah swt accept it as a goodness from everyone involved, ameen.

Interfaith & Outreach Committee: Honoring First Responders

Swedish Covenant Hospital ER Staff