On behalf of the IFN Executive committee I wish a very happy Eid and EID MUBARAK to you all. May Allah SWT accept the Haj of all those who performed the Hajj this year and bring back safely all the Hujjaj including those from IFN.

Alhamdulillah we are blessed with a beautiful and diverse community and in fact this diversity is our strength. I am thankful to entire community for the trust and support you have shown in us and giving us a chance to serve you. I would like to draw your attention that we are living in a time where hate and racism is being injected and white supremacist terrorism is on the rise, please be vigilant and attentive in the shopping malls and other places outside and this is the time we should stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder with our muslim brothers, sisters and fellow human beings and show the unity, love and respect among each other. We ask Allah SWT to bring the peace and the prosperity to entire ummah and the humanity and ease the sufferings of all those in Kashmir, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Burma, China, India and all other places.

We are so pleased to inform the IFN Community that Sister Ayesha Quadri presented a 5 session course on Spiritual Parenting at IFN ! The focus was on children from birth to age 13.This was held on Wednesday evenings so all moms and moms to be could benefit from this program.

Sr. Ayesha Quadri was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She attended the University of IL in Chicago and Argosy University. She earned her degree in Psychology with a focus in women's counseling. Currently, she is working towards completing the Alima Program, in which she has studied subjects such as Hadith, Quranic Tafseer, Arabic and more in Islamic Institutions since 2006. Since high school, she has been involved in many youth groups and activities and has taken an interest in establishing a connection with Muslim sisters. She conducts weekly women's halaqahs, youth lectures, children programs and teaches online. She currently lives in Milwaukee with her husband and four children.

Attached is the 2019 Hajj Seminar that was presented on July 12th.

https://ifnonline.com/resources/Religious%20Director/Hajj%20seminar%202019.pdf

The Maktab Program led by Imam Azfar mixes fun with learning. Every other week there are activities done as a group. Some of the activities include a Bike Ride at Independence Grove, Swimming and Zip Lining

In the Summer, Imam Azfar created a weekly post Fajr jog team to help the community come for the Fajr prayer at the masjid after Ramadan. They cleaned the beach together, jogged together and had breakfast together.

Paint nights are a fun way to socialize, and have fun in a friendly and supportive environment. This was led by Sr. Wardah Arif for a sister's paint night at IFN on Monday, July 29th from 7pm to 9pm. This event was for for ages 15 and above. All skill levels were welcome.

Young Muslims Shayaan Shaikh and Amaan Rakhangi held a School Supply Drive By ICNA Relief from July 18-19. ICNA Relief holds a nationwide back to school drive in order to raise school supplies and funds for children in need. IFN set up a box at the masjid to raise these supplies. Thanks to our amazing volunteers #OneNationOne Cause.

The back to school campaign is all summer long. You can join their team at icnareleif.org/back2school

Alhamdulilah YM Midwest Retreat took place this past month.

We had Young Muslims from all over the Midwest meet up at our very own IFN for departure. At the retreat, everyone was involved in activities such as swimming, canoeing, late-night bonfire talks, sessions led by our speakers Mufti Haroon and Sheikh Ibrahim, and many sports such as Soccer, Basketball, Frisbee, and much more! The bonfire talks and sessions were centered around "Holding on to the Rope of Allah" which was the Retreat theme for this year, inspired by the 103rd ayah of Surah Al' Imran. The amazing talks, the fun activities, and the overall environment allowed for a very enjoyable experience that brought us closer to Allah swt and also created brotherhood that will continue to develop for years to come inshallah!

Family Day/Eid Bazaar was held on Saturday August 10th, 2019 at the Libertyville Sports Complex from 5pm to 10pm.

The Bazaar featured Food, Fashion Jewelry & Clothing, Arts & Crafts, Henna/Mehndi.Lots of fun activities for kids such as Rock Climbing, Moon Walks, Face-Painting/Balloons and Sports (Cricket, Volley Ball & Basketball) was also arranged.

Community members in hundreds gathered at the Islamic Foundation North on August 11th to celebrate Eid. Eid-Ul-Adha is the second Islamic festival of the year. Eid al-Adha usually begins on the last day of the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Every year Muslims gather in thousands for this festival to commemorate Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam's) willingness to sacrifice his son on the command of Allah SWT. Ibrahim(Alayhis Salam) was eventually given a lamb to sacrifice instead.

Eid Salah was held on Sunday August 11th, at the IFN Masjid in 3 Jamaats.

The 1st Jamaat at 7:00am was led by Imam Azfar Uddin

The 2nd Jamaat at 9:00am was led by Shaikh Farid Fahmy and

The 3rd Jamaat at 11:00 am was led by Br. Ahmed Amin

An evening of fun and recreation was organized by WAC Lead Sr. Loubna Kilioune just for girls and women. This was an opportunity for women and girls to have exclusive use of the pool. A ladies-only swim night where girls and Women enjoyed an evening of swimming and chatting with other girls and ladies in our community.

Here are the important dates and events leading to the opening of the school on Sunday, September 8, 2019:

August 18 – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm On-site Registration.

August 25 – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm On-site Registration

September 1 – Labor Day Holiday

September 8 – First day of Sunday School – School starts at 9:45 am.

Parents’ orientation (to start at 10:30 am)

Many community members were present at the Islamic Foundation North on August 18th to welcome our beloved Linda Sarsour and support the Muslim Legal Fund of America.

The Muslim Legal Fund of America envisions an America in which constitutional rights and liberties are upheld equally for all, regardless of ethnicity, religion or cultural heritage.

Linda Sarsour is an award-winning racial justice and American civil rights activist, and community organizer. She is a Palestinian-Muslim-American born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is the former Executive Director of the Arab American Association of New York and the co-founder of the first Muslim online organizing platform, MPower Change. Most recently, she was one of the national co-chairs of the largest single day protest in US history, the Women’s March on Washington. She has been named amongst 500 of the most influential Muslims in the world. She has won numerous awards including Champion of Change from the Obama Administration. She was recognized as one of Fortune’s 50 Greatest Leaders and featured as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2017.

St Lawrence Church in Libertyville is inviting all IFN families for an Interfaith Prayer Vigil For Peace And Reconciliation In Response To The Human Crisis At The Border. The Prayer Vigil will be held at St Lawrence Church next Sunday evening, August 25, from 5:45-6:15 PM.

Winter registration is now open for Self-defense classes at IFN for all age groups.
Please see the flyer attached and contact Najimu Sanada

(847) 406-7277 for any questions.

najimusanada@gmail.com

Ethylene Oxide is a toxic gas and tests show higher levels in the air of Lake County.

A community update regarding the Ethylene Oxide Issue will be held on Sunday August 25th ,1:30 pm IFN banquet hall.As this is a Lake County issue, neighboring congregations will also be invited. Please see the attached flyer and attend.