IN HIS NAME THE MOST HIGH ABSN MAY /JUNE 2014 NEWSBOX

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,Salam un Alaikum,The months of May and June have been quite hectic, these are the activities.

Homes and Gardens Exhibition, Sarit Center. 14th-18th May 2014

The aim of this exhibition was to market their hand made products to a wider audience. ABSN sisters from various areas displayed handbags made from recycled plastic bags. Many other items were made from waste materials. There were also packets of charcoal, bed covers and table clothes. Ladies from Kawangware made small rugs, sweaters, socks, crochet baby clothes amongst other things. All these items and Quranic wall carpets are still available at Aristocrats House, First Floor.

Rays of Light Exhibition-23rd May 2014

ABSN members were invited by the Ismaili community to their Rays of Light exhibition which was to mark the Golden Jubilee year of their current Imam, Imam Mawlana Hazar. The Imam was only 20 years old and a student at the Harvard University when he took over as the leader of the community. Rays of Light included rare photographs from Mawlana Hazar Imam’s public and personal life, and examples of the development work carried out during his Imamat. Designed to provide a personal experience for each person who visited, the exhibition portrayed the dual elements of the institution of the Imamat. The Ismaili community live in over 25 different countries, mainly in Central and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Europe, North America and Australia and are over 15 million. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.The exhibition had toured other countries also and we were amazed to see the educational and humanitarian work achieved by few over such a short time.

Me’raj iftar at Centers -27th May 2014/ 27th Rajab 1435.

We received a donation during the month of Rajab to do Iftar in few of our centers. The iftar was done on the 27th of Rajab as it is one of the days that have many rewards for fasting, and it is also the day that Prophet Muhammed (saw) received Prophet hood and went for Me’raj. Six centres, Majengo, Malakisi, Kawangware, Lukume, Samburu and Sagana participated in this programme followed by lectures. The centers were very grateful for the iftar and pray that such programs can continue.

Majengo Members.

Commemoration of the 25th Death Anniversary of Rohullah Khomeini (ra)7th June 2014.

The Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran held a seminar at the Ja’fari Islamic Center to commemorate the 25th death anniversary of Rohullah Khomeini (ra). Among the speakers were Hassan Kariuki from Kawangware, Sheikh Noor, the Imam of Jaffery mosque, Mr Shakeeb the cultural councilor of Iran, His Excellency the Ambassador of Iran Mr Malik Givzad. The M.C was Mwinyi and he gave a brief history on Imam Khomeini (ra) and said that the name Rohullah means inspired by Allah (swt). The speakers enlightened the people on the Imam and his contribution towards the world today. Imam Khomeini (ra) was born on the 20th of Jamadiul Akhir 132. He became the Supreme leader of Iran until his soul departed from this world. Due to his opposition of the Shah rule Imam Khomeni (ra) spend over 15 years in exile.He always preached peace among Muslims and he even one day wrote a letter to the Pope inviting him to Islam. The speakers insisted that we should keep the message of Imam Khomeini (ra) alive and maintain peace among the Islamic countries and stop fighting each other. And that we should not just remember him once a year but in everything through his teaching.

Visit to Madrasatul Noor al Islamiya in Githurai-21st June 2014

ABSN was invited to participate in their prize giving day. The madrassa children entertained us with lovely qasidas and poems and gave us a background on their madrassa classes. There are 50 children, some are in secondary school and still find time to attend the madrassa. Children were rewarded with prizes.The speakers urged Kenyans to remain calm and maintain peace especially

during this coming month of Ramadhan. ABSN gave the children Mujtaba magazines and biscuits.

Preparations for the month of Ramadan. 22nd and 24th June 2014

Most of the centers organized lectures simultaneously for the coming month of Ramadhan. The Maalims spoke about the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (atfs) which was on the 15th of Shaaban. The women were grateful to ABSN for the program as they got to ask questions about Ramadhan and they said that they can now fast without doubts. On 24th June a seminar was held in Kawangware at the old Al Ghadir clinic. Our guest speakers were Sister Fatma Chagpar and Sheikh Salim.

Sheikh Salim said that the Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadhan and if one recites even one verse of the Quran, one gets the reward of reading the whole Quran. Laytul Qadr nights are important and we should stay awake during these nights to perform the Aamals. He also talked about Imam Mahdi (atfs) who is the Imam of our time. Prophet Muhammed (saw) left us two weighty things, the

Holy Quran and the Ahlul Bayt (as), who ever follows them will never go astray. He said that we should prepare ourselves for the coming of Imam Mahdi (atfs).He is the twelfth Imam and is the son of Imam Hassan al Askari (as). He (atfs) became the Imam at the age of 5 years after his father died. He is in occultation and will come to the world to bring peace at a time when the world will be filled with oppression and corruption. He also talked about the Quran competition which will be held during the month of Ramadhan. There will be two sections, one for age twelve and below, the other for thirteen and above. The competition will be on recitation, memorisation and knowledge of the Holy Quran.

Sister Fatma Chagpar talked about the month of Ramadhan and the important of cleanliness during this month.She said that the four holy books were revealed on this month. In this month it is wajib for every Muslim to fast as long as he/ she is of sane mind and healthy. Demons are locked up in this month and Allah (swt) forgives sins and accepts our dua’s. The

things that can break a fast are voluntary vomiting, menstruation, eating or drinking, emerging the whole body in water, smoking and remaining in the state of Janabba. People who should not fast are the weak and sick, breastfeeding and expectant mothers.One should pay back for the days missed by fasting before the next Ramadhan.The ladies really benefited as they had an opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

Lukume Members. Malakisi Members.

SADAQA CASESHafsa Hassan was assisted to move from Nairobi to Ravine which is beyond Nakuru as she could no longer afford to continue staying in Nairobi without a steady job. Halima Idd a member from Majengo was also helped with food as she is taking TB medication. Three more ladies from Majengoarea; Saumu, Swalha and Halima also received spectacles.

Sagana Members.

Hafsa Hassan

Swalha RamadhanSaumu Saidi Halima Hajj

Halima Idd

Samburu Members. Kisumu Members.

Conference on Imam Hassan (as) 22nd June 2014For more details please go to their website, www.sebtonnabi.com

The Ahlulbayt (AS) World Assembly in collaboration with other organizers held the first “Sibt-un-Nabi” International Congress in Tehran. (June 22) was the opening ceremony of this two-days congress. The main objective of the international congress is to introduce the virtues of Imam Hassan (AS), the second infallible Imam, to the world.

Visit to Emdad Releif Committee 23rd June – 29th June

Sister Nazneen and Sister Zahida attended the Imam Hassan (as) conference held in Tehran organized by Ahlul Bayt (as) World Assembly this was followed by an invitation to visit the Emdad relief comitee to see how this amazing organization helps people to help themselves. It is a huge organization that at one cannot even begin to imagine the work carried out.More news of this in the next news box Inshalah

Talking to one of the beneficiary (a widow) who has been helped by Emdad relief commitee.

We are extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to meet such dignitaries and staff. We send our sincere appreciation to them all. Sister Zahida, Sister Nazneen and sister Fatema from U.K were invited.

ABSN is now preparing the annual food packs for its members, any contributions are still welcome. Thank you to all of you who have contributed towards the food packs for our members.We pray for all those whose Ramadan is going to be very difficult this year due to the atrocities carried out by the oppressors.

“O people! A month has approached you laden with blessing, mercy and forgiveness; it is a month which Almighty Allah regards as the best of all months. Its days, in the sight of Almighty Allah, are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, its hours are the best of hours. It is a month in which you are invited to be the guests of Almighty Allah and you are regarded during it as worthy of enjoying Almighty Allah’s generosity. Your breathing in it is regarded as praising Almighty Allah and your sleep as adoration, and your voluntary acts of worship are accepted, and your pleas are answered………”

Prophet Muhammed (saw).

Yasmin Wangui: secretariat@absn.co.keZahida Mazahir: zahidama@hotmail.com

Nazneen Karim: safinaz@aristocratskenya.com