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By :Nanees Salama-Radwan
Families and friends of New Horizon Elementary School students
gathered on the school’s campus in Irvine last Tuesday, November
24th to observe their performance of an elaborate Hajj simulation
that embodied both the material and spiritual rites and rituals of
the Hajj that takes place in the holy city of Mecca. Hajj is the
annual pilgrimage to Mecca performed by millions of Muslims
worldwide; it is also the fifth pillar of Islam and performing Hajj
is obligatory upon each able-bodied Muslim at least once in his/her
lifetime.
Children of all grade levels from preschool to 6th grade dressed in
the special white attire representative of the pilgrims who perform
Hajj. New Horizon children began to simulate the rites and rituals
of the Hajj by first circling a black cubic structure resembling the
Ka’aba and loudly accepting the call for Hajj by repeating the words
of takbeerat Al Hajj. Circling the Ka’aba is an integral part of the
Hajj ritual in Mecca. The children of New Horizon then proceeded to
walk briskly seven times between two points that signified the two
hills of As-Safa and Al-Marwah. Following that rite, the children
gathered together around a structure designed to resemble the
mountains of Arafat, where they sat down to listen attentively to
the Khutbah that was given.
After that, the children proceeded to an area symbolizing Muzdalifa
(an important place between Mina and Arafat) to collect seven
crunched up balls of foil paper which represented pebbles. They then
headed to an area which represented Mina, and went to Jamarat
Al-Aqabah where they stoned the make-shift stone pillars (called
Jamarat) with the previously collected pebbles glorifying Allah
“Bismillah, Allahu-Akbar” at each throw.
After the stoning ritual of Jamarat Al-Aqaba, the children were
handed symbolic tokens of money, which they paid out. This
illustrated the practice of paying money for the purpose of
purchasing a ram to be sacrificed. This requirement that a ram be
sacrificed is to commemorate the historical event of Prophet Ibrahim
(pbuh) who was commanded by Allah (swt) to sacrifice his only son,
Ismael, and after he willingly agreed to do so, Allah sent a ram
instead to be sacrificed. This momentous event demonstrated Prophet
Ibrahim’s strong belief and his willingness to submit to Allah’s
command, which is why he is so revered to this day by Muslims around
the world.
After offering the sacrifice, the next rite the children engaged in
is to simulate the cutting of their hair, as required by all
pilgrims towards the end of the Hajj. Following that the children
drank from a water fountain which represented Zamzam water. Finally,
the children returned to the structure resembling the Ka’aba where
they circled it seven times. This farewell tawaf signified the end
of the state of Ihram and the final rite of Hajj.
New Horizon Elementary School, Irvine strives to provide its
students with a firm education in Islamic studies, Quran and the
Arabic language in addition to strong academic excellence in
California state curriculum. The school is located at 1 Truman
Street, Irvine 92620. The school’s principal is Mrs. Dina Eletreby.
For more information on the programs being offered, you may contact
the school at (949) 552-5411; or visit their website at
www.newhorizonirvine.org
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By Nanees Salama-Radwan
The Islamic Society of Corona-Norco (ISCN) attracted approximately
2,000 Muslim worshippers on Friday, November 27th for Eid prayers
and supplications at its facility located at 465 Santana Way in the
city of Corona. With faces of joy and jubilation, Muslims of
different ages and from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds
congregated together shoulder-to-shoulder united in their devotion
and offering their prayers, and giving thanks for the multitude of
blessings and provisions that have been bestowed upon them by Allah
(swt).
Worshippers gathered together to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on the 10th
day of Zul Hijjah, which coincides with the conclusion of the main
Hajj rites performed in Mecca. Adha is the Arabic word which means
sacrifice. Eid Al-Adha is the Feast of Sacrifice and it commemorates
the historically momentous event that took place when Prophet
Ibrahim (pbuh) was commanded by Allah (swt) to sacrifice his only
beloved son, Ismael. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was willing and ready to
perform the sacrifice as a direct result of his piety, devotion and
submission to Allah (swt). However, Allah (swt) with His Grace and
Mercy, spared Ismael, and instead offered a ram in his place for the
purpose of sacrifice. Each year, Eid Al-Adha is celebrated by the
world’s Muslim population which recount, reflect, rejoice and
reminisce about the spirit of sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim so
remarkably displayed.
The speakers at the ISCN Eid prayer included Br. Kalim Farooki who
encouraged members of the community to become more involved in the
various committees of the ISCN, and to take a more active role in
the betterment of the Masjid.
Additionally, Br. Ahsan Baseer, current president of the ISCN, spoke
about the on-going progress that has been made in the way of
completing the construction of the project and that the weekend
school is in full operation for the community’s children.
Br. Ahmed Radwan focused the topic of his speech on the importance
of the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) and his central role to the Muslim
faith. He reminded everyone that Prophet Ibrahim is the father of
all prophets, and he also spoke about all the great things that he
prepared for us before he left this world, including the building of
the Ka’aba. Furthermore, Br. Radwan stated that Muslims pray in the
direction of the ka’aba - the first place of worship on the planet
Earth, and the analogy was made that the members of the Corona
community are following the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), and
building the first house of Allah in the city of Corona.
Br. Radwan also reminded worshippers that Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was
willing and ready to sacrifice his only son, Ismael and that if
Allah had requested him to donate all his wealth in the way of Allah
(instead of sacrificing his only son), Br. Radwan stated that he
would have done so in a heartbeat. Br. Radwan further mentioned that
no one is asking anyone to sacrifice their son, or to donate their
entire wealth, but to just donate generously if possible because the
ISCN’s objective is to break ground for Phase III of the project
before Ramadan, and this cannot happen without the financial support
of the community.
Lastly, Imam Mustafa Umar provided an enlightening Eid khutbah to
worshippers regarding the importance of dedicating a daily
designated amount of time in the way of Allah, and for the cause of
Allah (swt). He further mentioned that Allah (swt) has prescribed
excellence in anything and everything that a Muslim does, so for
example even when an animal is ready to be slaughtered, it should be
done in the best manner possible by sharpening the blade and putting
the animal at ease. The notion that Imam Mustafa articulately
expressed is to develop an inner sense of quality of excellence
which entails going beyond being culturally or ritually Muslim. Imam
Mustafa also briefly spoke about Islam’s ability to combine the
material and spiritual, and the fact that it is probably the only
religion in the world that has ever succeeded to do so. The Imam
further discussed that Allah (swt) is deserving of all praise, and
that whomever He guides, no one can misguide, and whomever He allows
to deviate, no one can bring him back. In closing, Imam Mustafa
informed his congregation that Allah (swt) made Prophet Ibrahim
(pbuh) a role model that everyone must follow and the reason for
this is that the Prophet willingly surrendered and readily submitted
himself to the will of the Lord of the worlds.
Members of the Muslim community in Southern California are
encouraged to donate for the purpose of building Phase III of the
construction project. If you are interested in being a part of this
noble cause, please contact the ISCN at (951) 736-8155, or visit
their website to donate online at www.coronamuslims.com
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