Fostering Community & Islamic Literacy
In this Fajr Club session, Imam Marc leads a discussion on how the collapse of meaning has led to, amongst many things, the inability of people today to navigate and experience all aspects of human existence, especially grief and pain, as he continues his class, “Islam In-depth”.
Al-Hamdulillah, God blessed us with the opportunity to experience another Ramadan. This was a really special year and its memories will last a lifetime. I would also like to express my thanks, on behalf of Middle Ground, to the LA Times’ Frank Shyong for the nice write up on Eid. Also thanks to Ifran Khan for the great photos:
Ma sha’Allah. #Eid celebration at @mgmccali makes the news:… https://t.co/X8V2lsxtNd
— Middle Ground (@mgmccali) June 26, 2017
Twitter 1
Ma sha’Allah. Nice write up on #Eid, including some Middle Ground folks!, by the @latimes‘ @frankshyong – Thank you Frank! pic.twitter.com/ogJ73gPKCA
— Middle Ground (@mgmccali) June 26, 2017
Twitter 2
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Love this family: #EidMubarak #MiddleGroundEid
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#madamebutterfly #EidMubarak #MiddleGroundEid
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#MiddleGroundEid #EidMubarak #madamebutterfly
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#EidMubarak #MiddleGroundEid #MiddleGroundFamily
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#chess #brothersinfaith #EidMubarak
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#EidMubarak #brothersinfaith #chess
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#EidMubarak #fathersanddaughters #muslimdads #blackfathers
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كل عام وأنتم بخير وعيدكم سعيد
“May every year find you well and may you have a blessed Eid.”
إِنّا أَنزَلناهُ في لَيلَةِ القَدرِ
وَما أَدراكَ ما لَيلَةُ القَدرِ
“We sent it down on the Laylah al-Qadr. And how will you know Laylah al-Qadr?” —
Qur’an, 97: 1-2
Qadr – what does it mean? Is it “measurement”? Is it “power” (qudrah)? Is it “worth” or “rank”? Certainly one of its qualities is,
خَيرٌ مِن أَلفِ شَهرٍ
“[It’s worth is] better than a thousand nights!” —
Qur’an, 97: 3
So let me ask you: If it is the night of measurement, of power, or worth, than ask yourself, “What is my self-worth?” “What am I worth?” “What is my soul worth?” Can our souls be bought for a few dollars? A few million? Can they be measured by brand names? How powerful is our soul? Is it weak? Is it strong?
Seek those answers in the Night Worth A Thousand Months.
“Liberals welcome believers insofar as religion can be deployed in service of liberal causes, to be sure. But any expression of theological or moral judgment is met with hostility.” — Sohrab Ahmari, Liberalism: Believers Need Not Apply
In recent comments made by Bernie Sanders, progressives, an extension of modern liberalism, have revealed their true colors: complete hostility towards any tradition or moral system that does not espouse total relativism. The above quote from Ahmari’s timely article lays bare the Left’s attitude: either you’re with us (meaning you buy into our relativism hook, line, and sinker) or you’re against us. For communities of faith, this is a lot more serious than what might appear at first blush. Certainty the Muslim community is being heavily courted to adopt these totalizing, morally-relativist positions. But the question remains: can there be an Islam if we cannot maintain the right to believe in the exclusivity of Islam? Can any faith survive this hostile environment?
We want to thank everyone who came out for our really amazing Open House. We could not have asked for better support or a bigger crowd! Also a big thanks to Super Smash Buns for dishing up some amazing food and keeping everyone fed and happy. Enjoy some shots and zany videos and stay tuned for me!
The food is here!
Look at our Middle Ground kids!
#mgmcopenhouse Middle Ground kids! A photo posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
Myself, Shaykh Chef Yasin and brother Jamaal anxiously await the food (video)!
Middle Ground reporter, Imam Marc Manley, getting the scoop (video):
#mgmcopenhouse @supersmashbuns #shaykhchef A video posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
Do we need a special occasion? Yes (video)!
Welcoming our visitors (video).
#mgmcopenhouse #shaykhchef A video posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
Getting a selfie with the Super Smash Buns crew. These guys are incredible!
There’s just one question: beef or chicken (video)?
#mgmcopenhouse #shaykhchef @supersmashbuns A video posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
Super Smash Buns delivers food big as your heart but meant for your heart.
Don’t mess with the Imam’s burger, yo (video)!
@supersmashbuns #mgmcopenhouse #shaykhchef A video posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
We here at Middle Ground are all about serious business (video)!
A beautiful day with beautiful people and beautiful food. Did I mention beautiful?
#mgmcopenhouse @supersmashbuns #shaykhchef A photo posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
The Middle Ground News Crew goes behind the scenes (video):
After Paul Bunyan took his shahadah, he takes a moment to enjoy a halal burger (video)!
#mgmcopenhouse @supersmashbuns #shaykhchef A video posted by Middle Ground Muslim Center (@mgmccali) on
More photos (slide show):
