The first Town hall meeting of 2019 was on Sunday Jan 27th from 10am to 12pm at the IFN Banquet Hall. The main purpose of this Town hall meeting was to provide the opportunity to voice our communities opinions, ask questions and provide suggestions to the Executive Committee. These suggestions will help the Executive Committee to improve Programs and Operations of the masjid. Please take note of Br. Rafiq Rakhangi's words –" We should make our masjid and community more stronger with bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood. INCLUSIVE, RESPECT, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT and TEAM WORK should be our motto. As we fight islamophobia and other challenges, it is critical that we do not waste valuable time fighting each other. Keep in mind that the best idea wins regardless of the author. Once we make a decision, it is our decision collectively, and we move forward full-speed".

Some of the Questions/Suggestions from the Townhall meeting held on January 27th are as follows:

1. Change flooring in classroom on the 2nd floor.

2. Membership - Consider providing Lifetime Membership so renewal is not required. Consider Premium or Gold Membership. Raise Membership fee and provide discounted rate to members who actively participate in any committees.

3. Do a Volunteer drive to engage fresh people helping out at the masjid. There are skilled resources that we need to utilize.

4. Have supervision on the YM activities, Imam should lead few of the sessions and participate in activities.

5. Why is their poor participation and engagement of the community in these meetings?

6. Can we increase Terms from 2 to 4 year of the members of the Executive Committee?

7. Quran Academy leads and staff should be more engaged with the community to highlight and market the program. Consider quarterly meetings with parents and community members.

8. Improve the process of expense reimbursement and possibly digitize.

9. Have IFN Family Day and IFN Picnic

10. Start the Qirat Competition program

11. Is the WhatsApp group "Masjid News" the official group of IFN?

12. Have literature available for people coming to learn and know more about Islam.

13. Open mosque hour is low in attendance.

Out of the 400+ members, only about 12 people attended the meeting.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please email rafiqrakhangiifn@yahoo.com

The IFN Membership Campaign for 2019 is currently in-progress, and we urge all community members to actively acquire or renew their annual membership. The membership contributions directly support the expenses of our Masjid and is a Sadaqa Jaariya..

• The membership goal for 2019 is 500 Members
• The strength of the membership enhances the voice of IFN. It brings the attention of local elected leaders and officials to support our community. Some of the benefits of becoming an IFN Member by March 31st, 2019 :
• Right to vote in the General Body Meetings and be a part of making important policy decisions.
• Right to vote and provide approval for capital development projects.
• Right to vote in the IFN Elections.
• Participate in setting up the vision and direction of the Masjid by promoting and electing people to offices of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.
• Right to run for a post in the Executive Committee or Board of Trustees.
• Right to nominate a person for the election process.
• Education discounts for students in Saturday and Sunday Schools.
• Funeral fee discounts.
• Eligible to receive a free yearly IFN Calendar.
• Eligible for discount on renting the Banquet Hall.
• Discounts at IFN Coordinated Events.

Above information is provided by the membership team who are Br. Faisal Abedin , Br. Zeeshan Humayun, Br.Vaseem Khan and Br. Aamir M. Ahmed

Membership can also be renewed online at: http://ifnonline.com/membership

You can also complete the membership form in the IFN office and pay by cash/check/credit card. Payments can also be made at the Kiosk in the IFN lobby.

It has been known for a couple of months now that the people who live in Waukegan and surrounding areas are being affected by a carcinogen gas known as Ethylene Oxide. Two facilities (MEDLINE & VANTAGE) in Lake County, IL are emitting Ethylene Oxide (EtO) emissions into our air, as reported by Chicago Tribune on November 2, 2018. This gas is a direct factor that causes breast cancer and blood cancers as well. This gas is being emitted into the air for several decades now. It is a scary possibility that our health could spiral down due to this poisonous gas. Not only is it affecting our air it is affecting our foods, and water supply. For this reason Humera Khaleel a young college student and several others from our IFN Community attended the Gurnee /Waukegan Village Hall meetings on Jan 7th to express their concerns about the matter. They want everyone from our community at IFN to attend their local Village Hall meetings to show their concerns about this poisonous gas. If we show our strengths in numbers then this serious problem could finally be resolved.

An informational session was conducted on Sunday January 27th from 12pm-1pm at IFN Banquet Hall.

Sr. Sara Ali Khan, Sr. Breera Rihman, Sr. Alvia Moid, Sr Robina Khan took the lead to organize this Awareness Session.

The guest speaker was Mr. Dan Huntsha from Faith in Place organisation. He is the Outreach Director for the North and West Suburbs. He grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, currently resides in Palatine and is a member of the Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist.

His B.A in Communications is from DePauw University and he previously volunteered with environmental education and advocacy organizations including The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Connections for Action, and The Climate Reality Project.

By living his philosophy, "Try to learn something from everyone", while spending time with many climate organizations, he's been able to develop a creative climate communication style that produces action. He strives to be a catalyst for positive healthy change by connecting people's existing passions with Faith in Place's action focused programs. Faith in Place focuses on four program areas, they are energy and climate change, sustainable food and land use, water preservation, advocacy.

February 4th 2019, Village of Gurnee Board Meeting

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ltTpfFdyE#dialog

'We don't want EtO'

http://digitaledition.newssunonline.chicagotribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=18a1adf9-58f0-483d-9955-a5375983361a

Here is a link with information on the EtO emission: Stop Etylene Oxide in Lake County

Stop Etylene Oxide in Lake CountyStop EtO in Lake CountyGurnee, IL citizens demand clean air. Ethylene oxide emissions by Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee and Medl...

There was a presentation on Home Buying & Islamic financing by Br. Maaz Shahid of UIF (University Islamic Financial) on the 13th of January from Noon to 1pm in the IFN Banquet Hall. Br. Maaz Shahid is a financial banker with UIF. He is able to use his education in accounting to direct and assist his clients in all phases of the residential home ownership process. His goal is to help his clients realize the dream of owning a home and providing financing that is tailored to fit their individual needs. UIF is a Partner In Shariah Finance and makes it easy to finance your home. UIF's goal is to serve the financial needs of the American Muslim community with competitive costs and excellent service.

NorthBridge Church teamed up with IFN for an evening at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville on Saturday, January 19, 7pm-9pm. Br. Amir and Helena (abushamaa@yahoo.com) from IFN Outreach organized this event.

Islamic Foundation North was represented by over 40 volunteers, who braved the snowy roads to give their time and energy and pack food for the needy. Everyone had tons of fun and we are hoping for more events like this in the future, In Shaa Allah.

The High School Youth Core Program runs every Sunday at IFN and is specifically designed for Muslim high school students. Their faculty and staff is run by the HSYC Chair Sr.Oghay Khirzai. The mission of HSYC is to foster a sense of Islamic identity in the youth so that they can engage and empower themselves to actively practice their faith in our society. On January 6th, Sr. Oghay organized a presentation by Sylvan Learning Center at IFN Banquet Hall. Sylvan Learning Center prepares students for standardized testing such as SAT or ACT to get ready for their college of choice. Attached is a flyer for more information regarding Sylvan Program at IFN.

Our Guest Speaker on January 20th was Imam Karim Abu Zaid who is the Imam of the Colorado Muslims Community Center in Aurora, Colorado. His studies are concentrated in Fundamentals of Islam and Quranic and Hadith Sciences. He is the producer and lead presenter for workshops aimed at strengthening the understanding of Islam as a faith. His love and passion for teaching Islam led to his founding of Tafseer Al-Qur’an Institute(TAQI), a full-time Hifz, Arabic and Islamic Studies Program.

He gave a wealth of beneficial advice and guidelines on raising children in the West. He presented in a way that was easy to follow as he took evidences from the Quran and Sunnah.

IFN Toastmasters Club hosted a meeting on January 27th, 2019 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the LRC. IFN has started a toastmasters club which runs every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Come join our club so you can build your communication, public speaking and leadership skills. Please participate or bring a guest and benefit from this program to become a better speaker, to develop your leadership skills, communicate with confidence and listen effectively. Come and join IFN Toastmasters club where you can learn these skills in a supportive, self-paced, fun atmosphere. Please feel free to reach Khaudeja Bano at khaudeja@gmail.com or Liz at l.sachnoff@gmail.com and/or Patti Anderson at patti.anderson.d30@gmail.com.

Br. Irshad Khan (Ex President) of IFN has been elected as the Chairman of Council of Islamic Organization of Greater Chicago (CIOGC). Br. Mohammad Sarwar Nasir (Ex President) of MCC who is also an IFN member has been elected as the Treasurer of Council of Islamic Organization of Greater Chicago (CIOGC). This is a proud moment for the IFN community that two of the IFN members Br. Irshad Khan and Br. Mohammad Sarwar Nasir have been elected as Chairman and Treasurer respectively.

Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (United Voice of Muslims of Greater Chicago) promotes civic change through educating, engaging and empowering people.

Br. Irshad Khan's message is as follows :

Assalamu’alaikum

I’m thankful to Allah (swt) for giving me the opportunity to serve our community.

I am very humbled and thankful to all the HR members for their support, trust and confidence by electing me as chairman of CIOGC Inshallah I will stand up to the challenge and will do my best to serve the community by maintaining Islamic values. I have committed myself to work as the servant of Allah and will do what pleases him.

I would like to thank Brother Azam Nizamuddin for his passion, dedication and willingness to serve Muslim community. I will continue to work with him and rely on his services to community.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Election Committee Brothers Tariq Malhance, Shoaib Khadir, Bassam Osman and Sisters Naheed Adami and Nida Shouri and CIOGC staff Brothers Abdullah Mitchell, Masood Quadri and Sister Rita Sutton for their hard work and dedication to ensure that elections are fair and transparent. May Allah reward them for all their efforts

Special thanks to Br Bassam Osman and outgoing board members Brothers Muhammad Kaiseruddin, Halil Demir, Zahid Mohsin, Saleem Shaikh, Alaa Fahmy and Sisters Tasneem Osmani and Alia Hirzalla for their vision and leadership we thank them for all there efforts, May Allah accept their hard work and reward them ameen

I want to congratulate fellow CIOGC Board members, Vice Chairman Abraham Antar

Secretary Jehad J.Matariyeh

Treasurer Mohammad Sarwar Nasir

Director-At -Large Tariq El-Amin, Kamal Eldeirawi, and Syed Shahnawaz Khan for taking responsibilities and together we will continue to dedicate our efforts and work as a team towards the betterment of our community.

I assure that Newly elect CIOGC Board will make every effort to work seamlessly with community and HR members in fulfilling Muslim community growing need to take CIOGC to the next level.

In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to many of you to brainstorm ways to accomplish goals that we promised. We will be open for your advice and constructive feedback.

In summary I will use my passion and be dedicated to serve the community. I pray to Allah to keep me humble and honest, in everything I do. And above all guide me to govern and unify our community and organization to keep this wonderful Muslim community of Chicago united

Ameen

JazakAllah Khairen

Irshad Khan

Chairman CIOGC

On February 24, 2019 HSYC will be attending a field trip to Tilt Studios Gurnee at the Gurnee Mills mall. This will be an arcade event for the members of HSYC to enjoy. The program will include unlimited arcade time, laser tag, mini-golf, and lunch.

Location: Tilt Studios Gurnee

6152 Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL., 60031

Date: February 24, 2019 Arrive at IFN: 11:00AM IFN Departure: 11:10AM

Tilt Studios Departure: 1:30PM IFN Arrival: Approximately 1:50PM

If you have any questions regarding the field trip feel free to contact the HSYC leads Nooriyah (nooriyah@hsycore.com) or myself (omar@hsycore.com).