Hundreds of anxious young Muslims turned out at the Baytul-Iman Academy Annual Qur’aan Qiraat Competition on Saturday, Rabiul Awwal 12, 1431 H (February 27, 2010) at its Old Bridge location. 

The evening sky is a little dimmer now that one of its brightest stars has gone.  With a heavy heart and a reminder that sabr (patience) is at the moment of calamity, I mourn passing of Sr. Aminah Assilmi, who left this world in the early hours today, Friday (the best of days) March 5^th.  She was as a second mother to me, a mentor, and a dear friend.  I will take the liberty (as I know she won’t mind) to say a few things.  I will not talk about her many achievements or the impact she has had on so many lives, as this would only embarrass her, as she did all that she did for the sake of Allah (God).  Those whose lives she touched know of what I speak, and those who did not have the good fortune to meet and interact with her won’t really get it.

A “Center for Human Dignity – Museum of Tolerance” Displaces Centuries of Muslim Graves.

Israel’s determination to subdue and submerge centuries of Muslim and Palestinian history has taken on many forms over the last six decades, beginning with the destruction of over 400 Palestinian villages in the wake of the 1948 war, and continuing today with legislative attempts to erase Arabic from road signs and make illegal discussion of what Palestinians know as the “Nakba,” what was for them the tragedy of the loss of their land and livelihoods in order for the State of Israel to be born.

The Qiraat Competition was a great learning experience for me as well as for others. The place was filled to the brim when I reached my school, Baytul Iman Academy. I was excited and nervous at the same time, and I imagined all the fun and education I would earn. Signs filled the halls, as well as people, and stands, which have pamphlets and flyers about their companies, which mainly help poor and homeless people around the world. It was beautiful, and I was amazed and awed by all the great things there were.

For the first time the Baytul Iman Academy Annual Qiraat Competition held in on last Saturday. (02/27/10) It was overwhelming to experience hundreds of participants from five different states. The aim of this competition is to encourage and motivate the young generation to memorize and recite Quran with proper Tajweed which should be the aim of all Muslims.