As salaamu ‘alaikum Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We pray that you and your family are in the best of spirit of Islam and good health. Over the past couple of months, the Islamic Center of Nashville Board of Trustees & Shura have taken great strides in order to address some of the concerns in the community. We would like to keep you informed of these changes on a regular basis, and invite you to become involved in the process.

As a result, we have started a “What’s Happening in the Community” newsletter that will be sent out to the community on a monthly basis with updates on steps we are taking at the ICN.  We feel that the newsletter will also help to increase transparency, improve communications, and provide more accountability to all of you. In addition, we will be posting a hard copy of all minutes for the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee (Shura) meetings.  The postings will be placed on the board next to the ICN office as well as on the sisters’ side.

Below are UPDATES for the month of March 2010:

I. SEARCH FOR IMAM POSITION VACANCY

The ICN Board of Trustee understands the importance and urgency of hiring an IMAM for our community.  We are looking to find a qualified IMAM who will fulfill the spiritual needs of our diverse community.  Through careful review of our hiring guidelines, we have restructured the hiring process in our Imam Search Committee. The Imam Search Committee is currently in the process of reviewing other applicants, and are accepting any additional referrals or applications for position of IMAM.  For more information, please contact imam_search@muslimeen.org.

II.  RETIREMENT OF BOT MEMBER

We would like to announce the RETIREMENT of Dr. AKM Fakhruddin from the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Center of Nashville last month (February).  Dr. Fakhruddin, a founding member of ICN, has dedicated over 30+ years to the service, dedication, and vision of the ICN. May Allah (SWT) reward him for his life-long commitment to our community.

III.  RESIGNATION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS

Several members resigned from their position as Board of Trustee in January 2010:

Br. Yasser Arafat

Br. Kamel Daouk

Br. Ahmad Shakil

Br. Jamshedur Rahman

Br. Hossam Bahour

May Allah reward these brothers for their service, commitment, and contributions to ICN.

IV. NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS

Over the last couple of months, nominations were made to fill the vacancies on the Board of Trustees.  Many members (20 or more) were asked to serve the BOT from a diverse list of members (i.e. from different backgrounds and ethnicities) who met the requirements. After careful consideration, the following brothers and sisters have accepted the offer and responsibility to join the Board of Trustees to complete the terms of the members who recently resigned.  The Board of Trustee members are [*  - indicates newly appointed members]:

Br. Sayed Kamal*                                                       Br. Michael Sawyer*

Br. Muhammad Ajmal*                                              Br. Ayman Sader*

Br. Khalid Chaudhary*                                              Sr. Amal Adam*

Br. Mohamed Maleque – Chairman Sr. Tamara Shehadeh – Secretary

Br. Khalid Shaikh                                                       Br. Saeed Fakhruddin

Br. Rashid Ahmad                                                      Sr. Rokeya Farooque

Br. Shuaib Mohyuddin                                                           Sr. Berthena Nabaa-McKinney

May Allah (SWT) guide us with the purest of heart, the greatest of deeds, and best of intentions for our Ummah in accordance with Qur’an and the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

V.  GENERAL BODY MEETING & ELECTIONS

The Board of Trustees will have the General Body Meeting and Board of Trustees  Elections in OCTOBER 2010. All Members for two year terms (six members) will be open for election this year. Information on nominations, submission date, and eligibility for these positions will be announced soon.

We also have two interim Board of Trustee positions currently OPEN.  If you are interested in, have a recommendation, or require more information, please contact Br. Mohamed Maleque, BOT chairman, at (615) 403-4858 or mmaleque@mmc.edu.

VI.   EXECUTIVE BOARD (SHURA) MEMBERS

Br. Abdelghani Barre – President                                           Br. Hisham Elqadi - Officer

Br. Amir Arain – V.P./ P.R.                                                    Br. Zohair Elmaliki - Officer

Br. Ghani Hashimi – V.P./ Operations

Br. Baseer Kabir – Secretary

Br. Sajid Usmani - Treasurer

VII.  RENOVATIONS

Renovations for the ICN Masjid and the Imam’s House next door to the masjid have been completed.  A special thanks to all of the community members who worked tirelessly to make this possible. As for the Masjid – The entire building was painted, new flooring was placed in the office, repairs to the roof, sisters’ restroom renovated, painting of the dome, new chandelier, main entrance tile replaced, and parking lot resurfaced. As for the Imam’s” House – The House next to the masjid was completely renovated.  It has now been transformed into two fully functioning apartments:

1)      One-bedroom w/ closet, living room, full bath, and dine-in kitchen. (600 sq ft.)

2)      Two-bedroom w/ closets, living room, two full baths, dine-in kitchen, washer/dryer hookup.  (1350 sq ft.)

The following is the total cost of the renovation (Masjid & House) project:

Donations Collected:    $ 48,625.00

Insurance Collected:    $   9,029.15

Total Collections:          $ 57,654.15

Renovation Expenses: - $ 62,282.78 (Expenses include Renovations for the Masjid and House)

- $    4,628.63

VIII.  ICN SPORTSPLEX

Per completion of the school building in 2008 and the masjid & house renovations in 2009-10, we are now on the process of completing another project associated to the overall vision of the Land Development Project on our 11 acre land – Outdoor sportsplex: Soccer field, track, basketball courts, volleyball court and picnic shelter.  A committee headed by Dr. Essam Hamido, met in March and bids are currently being taken.  After completion, we plan to have soccer leagues and all sorts of leagues for children, youth and adults, and bring the community together through social recreations.  Presently, a basketball league will begin at the masjid’s new full court on April 10^th.

IX.  DA’WAH NEWS

Over the last 30 days, we have had visitors from the following schools: Currey Ingram Academy, Belmont University, and Ensworth.  Overton High School and David Lipscomb  University (Leadership) are scheduled to visit next week. Otter Creek Church members visited last Saturday. An exchange visit with Congregation Micah and West End Synagogue took place on March 7^th with our Muslim youth. We have also had hospital requests as well: Meharry, Vanderbilt (100 Oaks), Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital (which a musalla was incorporated into their present chapel).  Communications with Mr. Regalado of the Airport Authority regarding prayer places at the airport is being held.  In February we held an Open House, along with formation of Media Relations group in Mid. TN. Br. Amir was a panelist on the East-West Center Senior Journalists Seminar in March.

X.  GETTING INVOLVED

Your suggestions, feedback, and involvement are important to us!  If you are interested in becoming more involved or have any suggestions, please talk to one of us or email us (icn @muslimeen.org).

Please email icn@muslimeen.org to be added to the ICN emailing list (include your full name and phone #).

WEBSITE - Please visit  www.icntn.org Features: Online Pledge Form, Volunteer Form, Online Secure Donation,  PodCasts, etc.

DUPLEX FOR RENT – The house next to the ICN has been completely remodeled and ready for occupancy. Rent is very reasonable for each unit. ONE Unit left! If you are interested, please fill out an application form in the office.

EDUCATION CLASSES: Please note that Tues – Friday classes will be held between Maghrib & Isha.

QUR’AN CLASSES FOR KIDS ON TUESDAYS @ICN – Level 1 through 4, Children ages 5 through 18

QUR’AN CLASSES FOR WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS @ICN – Beginner’s Adult Qur’an classes for sisters taught by Imaam.

QUR’AN CLASSES FOR MEN ON THURSDAYS @ICN – Qur’an reading classes for brothers.

FRIDAY FAMILY NIGHT HALAQA (between Maghrib and ‘Isha)

· TAFSEER - 1st Friday of each month Tafseer Class with Br. Fadi Ezzeir (Abu Layth).

· FIQH - Friday night lectures will be based on questions submitted by email to Shaikh Osama throughout the week and he will choose questions to answer.

· SPECIAL TOPIC – A guest speaker  (local or outside) will present a halaqa once a month.

SUNDAY NIGHT HALAQA w/Dr. Amin (b/w Maghrib and ‘Isha)

BELLEVUE (NIA/ MUSALLA) CLASSES – Sunday Weekend Schools, Qur’an Children evening classes Mon & Fri.

DINNER PROGRAMS – FRI APR 9  (Maghrib – Isha w/ Shiekh Osama)  & SAT APR 17  (NIA COMMUNITY PROGRAM)

Sheikh Mohammed E. Ahmed is coming to Nashville as an Imam Candidate for the ICN on the weekend of Friday, April 16, 2010.  He will give the Friday Khutba, deliver a very inspirational halaqa on Friday night from Maghrib to Isha, and be the keynote speaker for the NIA Appreciation Dinner to the Community on Saturday night at ICN, April 17, 2010, from 5PM - 7PM. Please come out and welcome the Sheikh to our community!

NIA Students cordially invite you to the

Community Appreciation Dinner

(Hosted in honor of all members of the Muslim community)

Location – ICN (Islamic Center of Nashville)

Date -  Saturday, April 17^th at 5 P.M.

This presentation covers the following: Terms and Definitions, Statistics, Beliefs, 5 Pillars, Misconceptions - Jihad, Tolerance, Women, Knowledge & Muslims in America.

Presentation of Islam - 2010

Click for more pictures from the event.

We hope you have had a chance to hear or speak directly to Sheikh Abd'Allah Al-Ansari (Eid Khutba, Jumu'a Khutba, or Saturday Halaqa).

If you have not heard him yet, please visit the Podcast section of our website to hear the recorded "live" halaqah from Saturday, November 28.

IT'S EASY TO SUPPORT YOUR MASJID - WITH NO MONEY FROM YOUR POCKET!!

That's right! Did you know that you can shop at Kroger like you normally would, and 4% of everything you spend will go to the Masjid? But to take advantage of this, you will HAVE TO use the specially-coded, reloadable Kroger Cards from the ICN.

They come pre-loaded with a $10 balance (so you pay $10 for the card at the ICN - ask for this at the office after Jummah.) This card is rechargeable for any amount that you choose (up to $500 each time). If you need to recharge it, just be sure to reload it BEFORE you scan your groceries at the checkout counter, and be sure to use your Kroger card to pay - it's that easy!

Kroger will donate 4% of everything you spend to the ICN. For instance, for every $100 you spend at Kroger on anything (food, supplies, pharmaceuticals, etc. - even gas!), Kroger will donate $4 to the ICN through your card. So if you spend $500 each month, you will (indirectly) be donating $240 a year! Remember that this did NOT even come out of your pocket!

Please take advantage of this Hasanath today!

Join every Friday evening from Maghrib to Isha (or after Isha in the winter) as we watch an assortment of eman-boosting, 'ilm-packed video/live lectures in order to revive and refine our connection with the One to Whom all our 'ibadah is directed to and the One to Whom we will return, Allah (SWT).

Education Resource Committee for Muslim Students

Per our last update on the meeting with Dr. Register by representatives from Islamic Center of Nashville, Salahadeen Center, Masjid Al-Farooq and Masjid Al-Islam, an official committee has been formed to act as a liason and educational resource for Muslim families and Metro Nashville Public Schools to meet the needs fo students while maintaining their Islamic identity.  For more information you may contact any of the centers or Sr. Berthena or Sr. Kasar.

Prayer Accommodations at School

For your children's interest, accommodations for students taking a few minutes to catch their Dhuhr prayer are available.  Please contact your child's appropriate teacher of that particular period  via email (emails can be found on metro's website, www.mnps.org) and copy your school's guidance counselor. Your child can also personally request the teacher as well. Letters for prayer arrangements during Ramadan (along with PE and lunch alternatives such as the  library) have already been sent to all the schools.  Letters for other specific accommodation have been revised and will be sent out.

Alhamdulillah, there is now a musalla for the men and one for the women on the 11 acre land on Charlotte Pk, alongside the new Islamic school building.  This project is just upon completion and the place is being utilized for tarawih prayers along with Fajr, Maghrib and Isha jamats, as well as Dhuhr jamaat by the children of the Islamic School.  Around 75 people have been reported to have attended the tarawih prayers, which are held at the same time as at the ICN.  This project was part of the Islamic Center of Nashville overall Land Development Project, which recently completed the new school building.

An activity room/ youth type center is also being redisigned as the last portable renovation.  The playground is scheduled to be set during the weekend of Eid insha Allah. The soccer field is being assessed for further development to make it operational for leagues for the kids and adults.  Other recreational activities will include a volleyball court, basketball court and picnic shelters.  Anyone interested in donating for this project should contact Br. Sajid - 400-4956.