President: Pre-Ramadan message
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
As you are aware, the current pandemic (epidemic) COVID 19 has spread across the world affecting a substantial number of countries and its population.
We here in the United States of America have not been spared and have been instructed to obey and abide by the laws, instructions and advisories enacted by the State of New York.
As such, our Masjid is closed and will remain closed during this period until we are legally instructed that it is safe to reopen for Salaah. In the interest of our safety we are advised to practice the following health instructions: –
- Remain at home.
- Do not venture outdoors unless you have to purchase necessities for yourselves.
- Always wash your hands and sanitize your surroundings.
- Wear a facemasks and gloves when leaving your homes.
- Do not shake other peoples’ hands.
- Adhere to social distancing – keep six (6) away from others.
- Seek immediate medical assistance if you feel unwell.
- Call and speak via our phones to family members and neighbors to maintain contact as to their well-being.
Our Imam and the Executive Board are here for you. We can be reached via our mobile phones for advice, support or religious guidance as it pertains to your individual needs. Our Ameera is also available to our Sisters seeking assistance.
We have also lost some members of our Jamaat and community through their contraction of the virus – Inna lillahi wa inna illayhi rajioon. May Allah forgive them and bless them and their families. Although we were unable to attend their Janaaza, we can include their names in our daily duahs.
In Shaa Allah, the holy and blessed month of Ramadan will soon be with us and our daily fasting. However we cannot host daily Iftars and dinners, neither can we congregate for nightly Taraweeh Salaah. We are all saddened and heartbroken by our present conditions but Allah knows best and we do not question his actions.
We still have to fast, pay our Zakaat and Sadaqah, and fulfill our individual obligations during this blessed month. We can use the different forms of payments such as checks mailed to our masjid address etc and (pending) electronic applications. We will also accommodate your cash contributions, please contact the following Brothers: Secretary Wazir, Treasurer Fazil or myself to make arrangements. So there is no excuse to evade these rules.
Brothers and Sisters, this advisory forms part of our obligations to our Jamaat.
We are always here for you and your family and we would implore you to reach out to us. The Masjid’s closure should not be viewed as an abandonment of our Jamaat. This period is a challenge for all humanity to individually bring us closer to our Creator and Sustainer, Allah Subhanallahu wata’ala.
May Allah continue to bless us as we seek his forgiveness and favors.
Yours in Islam
Aftaab Ali.
President