As’salaam alaikum (peace be upon you):
Ramadan Mubarak (Best wishes for a Blessed Ramadan)!
The first day of Ramadan will be tomorrow, April 24, insha’Allah (God-willing). Ramadan is the month of fasting and the Quran, one in which we spend most of our time in our mosques being closest to our Creator spiritually. So tonight, we start the month of Ramadan under very different circumstances.
At the core of everything we do, we aim to make you feel connected with the MAPS community and our activities despite the stay-at-home order. With Ramadan starting this evening, this connectedness will become more important as we navigate our way through unchartered waters, experiencing Ramadan – a time of community and togetherness – for the first time without being able to gather and worship as a congregation. Check out this short Ramadan message from Sh. Joban too.
MAPS Virtual Fundraiser
We will have an annual update and virtual fundraiser with Imam Abdul Malik tomorrow, April 24, at 6.00PM. Please join us to learn about what MAPS has been doing, and how you can help. Online link will be updated at our website (https://mapsredmond.org) before the event.
Ramadan Religious Services
- We will start our Ramadan activities with a Ramadan Briefing tonight (Thursday, April 23) at 9.30PM, where I will describe all of our online Ramadan programs and activities.
- This will be followed by Virtual Taraweeh starting at 10:00PM. See FCNA fatwa related to Ramadan, Taraweeh and Eid Salat in this time of COVID-19 and a discussion by Sheikh Yasir Qadhi on the topic of following online Taraweeh.
- We will have a Daily Tafseer (Quran exegesis) during Ramadan at 7.00PM. This will replace our daily Khatirahs that we have been doing.
- Private Quran Lessons with Qari Aslam. We enjoyed Qari Aslam’s Quran recitation last year as he led us in the Taraweeh prayer every night with his soothing, beautiful voice. This year, because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, Qari Aslam is not able to travel and lead us here at MAPS. Instead, Qari Aslam will be offering Private Quran Tutoring Lessons in 15-minute slots. This is a free service for the community hosted by MAPS for Ramadan.
- The Quran Competition will happen online on May 16 and May 17. See attached flyer below.
Daily Iftar Drive-Through Pickup
MAPS will have a daily Iftar Drive-Through for people to pick up an Iftar meal everyday between 7:00-7:30PM. You can sponsor iftar or give Fidya ($10 per person) here (choose the Iftar Sponsorship option).
Ramadan Boxed Food Distribution for Needy Families
MAPS-MCRC will be distributing food boxes to needy families in the Seattle area by delivery to their homes. You can donate $60 for each box here (choose MAPS-MCRC Ramadan Food Drive). We plan to distribute food boxes to 1,000 families in the area. Please make Ramadan for these needy families in this difficult time easy for them. May Allah SWT reward your generosity.
Eid Gifts Distribution for Needy Families
MAPS-MCRC will be purchasing gifts to distribute to children of needy families so they can enjoy a blessed Ramadan and the happy occasion of Eid. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please donate at link.
Summary of Ramadan Programs:
| Program | Dates and Times | Online Links |
| Ramadan Briefing | April 23, 9:30 – 10:00pm | https://zoom.us/j/948427745 |
| Virtual Taraweeh | Daily during Ramadan starting April 23, 10:00pm (time will change; see MAPS Ramadan calendar) | www.facebook.com/mapsredmond.org |
| MAPS Virtual Fundraiser with Imam Malik | April 24, 6:00pm | The link to the event will be updated on our website before the event. |
| Daily Tafseer/Khatirah | Daily during Ramadan starting April 25, 7:00pm – 7:30pm | https://zoom.us/j/99110727844 |
| Private Quran Lessons with Qari Aslam | Daily during Ramadan starting April 25, 5:00pm – 7:00pm | https://zoom.us/j/94583338818 |
| Virtual Khutbah | Every Friday, 1:00pm | https://zoom.us/j/948427745 |
| Quran Competition | May 16 and May 17 | https://forms.gle/qNmFW24EynxNDWeE6 |
MAPS YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/MapsRemond
MAPS Facebook: www.facebook.com/mapsredmond.org
Educational Services
- Sunday School: 10am – 1pm (last day is May 17)
- Quran Classes: Tue/Thu 4:30pm – 5:30pm, Sat 11am – 2pm (until May 12; reconvene May 25)
- Friday Quran Program: See teacher/admin communication for class-specific schedule until May 8
- Part-Time Hifz Class: Moved to Tue/Thu for Ramadan, 3:30pm – 4:30pm (until May 12)
- Precious Hearts: Regular morning hours (until May 14)
- Sisters’ Quranic Arabic Level 4 and 5: Thu 10:30am
- Islamic Studies with Imam Joban: Continuing as usual (online)
We ask Allah to grant us patience and ease as we enter the blessed month of Ramadan in the midst of a pandemic. We pray that, in the face of the inherent challenges, we come together in new ways as a community like never before and, through His guidance and mercy, we experience our most memorable, rewarding and spiritually uplifting fasting month yet.
May we all be protected, especially the people on the frontlines and the volunteers everywhere, helping in whatever way they can. May this virus be eradicated and this scourge be lifted from all areas and countries afflicted. May this be a Ramadan full of gratitude and peace. Amen.
For questions, comments, concerns or feedback, please email me @ president@mapsredmond.org or MAPS Board @ board@mapsredmond.org
Ramadan Mubarak.
Thank you,
Hyder Ali
MAPS President