ISOMER NEWS
____________________________________________
J. AL-ULA 1428 May 2007_
Islamic Society of Melbourne Eastern Region Inc.
P.O. Box 160, Glen Waverley, Vic., 3150
Table of Contents
- President's Message p. 1
- Special General Meeting p. 3
- ISOMER Weekly Programme p. 3
- ISOMER Sunday Islamic School p. 4
- Isomer Retirement Home News p. 5
- Society News p. 6
- Janaza Burial Services p. 7
- Lives of Sahaabah Series:
Abdullah Ibn Masud, Part 2 p. 7
- Announcement by Minaret College p. 9
- Important Contact Numbers p. 10
- ISOMER Membership p. 10
Message from Our President
It has been a long time since we last sent out a News Letter.
Hopefully this will be a beginning of a new period in the history of ISOMER Insha Allah.
Over the last year we have gone through some difficult times fighting the Knox City Council on various fronts. The Council slapped us with an infringement notice and requested that we move all the soil that had been dumped on the site over the last 28 years. We were also told that the portables that we had were only going to be temporary buildings and would have to be moved within two years. After looking at all our options the committee decided that should we go to court with this matter we would have to pay out large sums of money fighting the Knox City council. A decision was taken and the portables have now been sold to the Victorian Education Department and moved off our land. Al hamdu Lillah we feel that this was our best option.
The matter concerning the excess soil has not yet been finalised with the Council , however the Committee of Management has made an application to the Knox Council showing a new car park on the site, landscaped gardens and proper drainage of the land . After lengthy discussions with the parties concerned it appears that this is the best way of resolving the issues at hand.
ISOMER is a “not for profit” organisation. It appears that not all our members understand that non profit organisations are dependant on government grants, membership fees, donations and various other methods of raising funds such as fund raising dinners, BBQ's etc . There is a saying that “not-for-profit” does not equal “for –loss”. In reality , it is vital that non-profit organisations generate income to support their programs and achieve their vision, whether that is the betterment of a social cause, an industry sector, an environmental issue or something completely different. Please think about this.
ISOMER is now at the brink of exciting times…
We have an IT specialist who has linked IRH the School and the Mosque to one server. ISOMER now has its own Web site at http://www.isomer.org.au
Soon we will be able to do the following:-
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Notify members of AGM's and SGMs via email.
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Publish the monthly news letter on our Web site
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New members will be able Register on line .
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Members will be able to pay membership fees directly into ISOMER's
General account and inform us about their payments.
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New potential residents will be able access information of IRH and register on line.
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Information on International Dinners , Special Occasions , Eid Functions, BBQ'S, etc. will be advertised on the
Website.
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ISOMER Sunday School information will be published on the Web site
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Members will be able to seek clarification on Islamic issues via this link.
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Conferences and other Educational programmes will be advertised on the site.
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The weekly Khutba will be published, and heaps more
Another website that is an excellent tool to learn more about the Qu'raan is Quran Explorer.
Imam
We have also been very fortunate to have Imam Mohamed Majidih Essa serving as our imam during a six week period. April 2nd he temporarily returned to South Africa and will be soon returning to take up his new position with us. We hope that Insha Allah he will be very happy and successful in his new position . We also warmly welcome his wife Ghairo-Nesha and three sons.
Imam Essa has studied and completed his degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Institute of Deen in Kuwait. He completed the Memorization of the Quran in Cape Town, South Africa, and than went on to study the Arabic Language and also Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Faculty of Shariah at the Islamic University of Medina, Saudi Arabia. Shortly after that he completed a Teacher's Training course at the University of Western Cape, South Africa.
Finally we would like to encourage all Muslims in the South Eastern Region to participate in the activities that ISOMER offers and if you are a non - member please join us .The centre is open to all Muslims from the Eastern Region.
Wassalaam
Special General Meeting
ISOMER will hold a Special General Meeting soon at our Islamic Centre on Sunday, June 10, at 10 am. The purpose of this meeting is to consider proposed changes to the ISOMER Constitution and Rules. All ISOMER members are invited to attend but only Foundation Members are eligible to vote. Hope to see you all there.
ISOMER Weekly Programme*:
Monday: Fiqh Classes – between Maghrib and Isha
Tuesday: Quran Classes for Adults who are unable to read – between Maghrib and Isha
Wednesday: Quran Classes for Ladies starting at 11.30 AM
Saturday: Learn to read Quran, for Children, especially those who cannot read – 10 AM to 12.30 PM
Sunday: ISOMER Sunday School – 8.45 AM to 12.45 PM
On all other nights a single Hadith will be discussed after Isha.
*Please note that the above programme was implemented when Imam was here and it will resumed on his return, inshallah soon (expected June 2007).
Isomer Sunday Islamic School
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Assalaamu ‘alaikum wr wb,
Alhamdulillah, all praise is only for Allah, to Allah we seek help and seek forgiveness, to Him only do we put our Faith and Trust. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil tendencies of ourselves and from the evil effects there from. Whoever Allah guides there is none who can misguide him, and whoever Allah misguides then you will find no one who can help him.
Just an update with our new sheikh Majidih, rumour is he will be back by the end of May inshAllah with his family. InshAllah when he's back there will be heaps going on, from daily classes during the week to youth activities and much more.
The Sunday school program has been slightly updated from last years program. This year inshAllah we will be focusing on Quran reading and recitation. We began the year with correcting the pronunciations of all students at all levels, now we have Arabic as a permanent stepping stone to reading the Quran, and memorizing at all levels.
It seems that there is an ongoing problem; parents are taking this school a little lightly. It is crucial that all students must be present every Sunday. If students are coming in irregularly, that would be an obstacle in the child's development, and management of our school. For this reason inshAllah, we will be only allowing a max of three absent days not including days of illness or travel. If the student is absent a letter of warning will be sent to the parents and the parents will have to ensure the students attendance complies.
Another ongoing problem is the adab or manners of students in the masjid. We have reminded children numerous times, but being children it is only within their nature that they make a noise. Initially we had teachers over- looking the children which helped to a certain extent, but I believe if the parents get involved and discipline the child at home and remind them in the masjid, that would make the teachers job a little bit easier.
The theme now is how we can get the real essence of a community by getting the parents involved with our Sunday school, so keep in mind that education of the child is the parents' responsibility and the school is only assisting in this matter. With the website up and ready to go we shall keep you informed through the official webpage for ISOMER: http://www.isomer.org.au/ , so keep yourselves updated with that inshAllah
And to Allah is our return.
Your brother in Islam,
Class of Young Boys at ISOMER Sunday Islamic School
Isomer Retirement Home News
Isomer Retirement Home has also undergone numerous changes , the previous manager who resigned in December has been replaced with another .
New IT Software has been installed at the retirement village with an ongoing programme to train staff in all facets of Care such as Clinical Care, Leisure and Lifestyle, Management Control and Occupational Health and Safety issues, etc.
The Government Age Care office is happy with all the changes that were made at IRH. We have a Three year Accreditation. Staff and residents' morale are at an all time high. The number of residents is increasing and we are running smoothly Alhamdu Lillah.
Girls learning at ISOMER Sunday Islamic` School
Society News
Janaza Burial Services
Janaza burial services are carried out by the Society. The following co-ordinators can be contacted when needed:
Please note, that any bereaved family seeking to use ISOMER's services must be responsible for the cost of the grave site and the digging of the grave as charged by the cemetries. A sum of $250 will be payable to ISOMER to cover cost of wooden boarding, kaffan cloth, etc. In the event of the bereaved family being in dire need and unable to meet the later payment, the Society which the deceased is a member will be held responsible to pay the same. There will be no charge for the washing of the body, use of the cool room or Janaza Prayer.
Lives of the Sahaabah series
Abdullah Ibn Masud: Part 2
Abdullah ibn Masud attained such a knowledge of the Quran that he would say, "By Him besides Whom there is no god, no verse of the book of Allah (SWT) has been revealed without my knowing where it was revealed and the circumstances of its revelation. By Allah, if I know there was anyone who knew more of the Book of Allah, I will do whatever is in my power to be with him."
Abdullah was not exaggerating in what he said about himself. Once Umar ibn al-Khattab met a caravan on one of his journeys as caliph. It was pitch dark and the caravan could not be seen properly. Umar ordered someone to hail the caravan. It happened that Abdullah ibn Masud was in it.
"From where do you come?" asked Umar.
"From a deep valley," came the reply. (The expression used fajj amiq deep valley--is a Quranic one).
"And where are you going?" asked Umar.
"To the ancient house," came the reply. (The expression used al-bayt al-atiq ancient house, is a Quranic one.)
"There is a learned person (alim) among them," said Umar and he commanded someone to ask the person:
"Which part of the Quran is the greatest?"
"God. There is no god except Him, the Living, the Self-subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep," replied the person answering, quoting the Ayat al-Kursi (the verse of the Throne).
"Which part of the Quran is the most clear on justice?"
"God commands what it just and fair the feeding of relatives..." came the answer.
"What it the most comprehensive statement of the Quran?'
"Whoever does an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil shall see it."
"Which part of the Quran gives rise to the greatest hope?'
"Say, O my servants who have wasted their resources, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Compassionate."
Thereupon Umar asked:
"Is Abdullah ibn Masud among you?'
"Yes, by God," the men in the caravan replied.
Abdullah ibn Masud was not only a reciter of the Quran, a learned man or a fervent worshipper. He was in addition a strong and courageous fighter, one who became deadly serious when the occasion demanded it.
The companions of the Prophet (SAW) were together one day in Makkah. They were still few in number, weak and oppressed. They said, "The Quraysh have not yet heard the Quran being recited openly and loudly. Who is the man who could recite it for them?'
"I shall recite it from them," volunteered Abdullah ibn Masud. "We are afraid for you," they said. "We only want someone who has a clan who would protect him from their evil . "
"Let me," Abdullah ibn Masud insisted, "Allah shall protect me and keep me away from their evil." He then went out to the mosque until he reached Maqam Ibrahim (a few meters from the Kabah). It was dawn and the Quraysh were sitting around the Kabah. Abdullah stopped at the Maqam and began to recite:
"Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Ar-Rahman. Allama-l Quran. Khalaqal insan. Allamahul bayan... (In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. The Merciful God. He has taught the Quran. He has created man and taught him the clear truth...)"
He went on reciting. The Quraysh looked at him intently and some of them asked: "What is Ibn Umm Abd saying?" "Damn him! He is reciting some of what Muhammad (SAW) brought!" they realized.
They went up to him and began beating his face as he continued reciting. When he went back to his companions the blood was flowing from his face.
"This is what we feared for you," they said. "By God," replied Abdullah, "the enemies of God are not more comfortable than I at this moment. If you wish. I shall go out tomorrow and do the same." "You have done enough," they said. "You have made them hear what they dislike."
Abdullah ibn Masud lived to the time of Khalifah Uthman, may God be pleased with him. When he was sick and on his death-bed, Uthman came to visit him and said:
"What is your ailment?"
"My sins."
"And what do you desire?"
"The mercy of my Lord."
"Shall I not give you your stipend which you have refused to take for years now?"
"I have no need of it."
"Let it be for your daughters after you."
"Do you fear poverty for my children? I have commanded them to read Surah al-Waqiah every night for I have heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, "Whoever reads Al-Waqiah every night shall not be afflicted by poverty ever."
That night, Abdullah passed away to the company of his Lord, his tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah and with the recitation of the verses of His Book.
Lesson 1: Striving for knowledge
“By Allah, if I know there was anyone who knew more of the Book of Allah, I will do whatever is in my power to be with him." This was the determination of Abdullah ibn Masud to gain knowledge. How many times do we side line gaining knowledge due to our busy lives. Instead of treating it as a full time job we gain knowledge when we have nothing to do. We should make efforts to continuously gain knowledge. After all how can we implement that which we do not know?
Lesson 2: Passing on verses of the Quraan to others
Abdullah ibn Masud was the first person to volunteer to recite the Quraan to the unbelievers at the time even though he knew the dangers that faced him if he had undertaken this. Very often we are too afraid to tell others about the Quraan for fear of rejection. In the case of Abdullah Ibn Masud they did not only reject the message but they beat him up in the process. At this point in time he could have vowed to never do dawah again or to leave the fold of Islam. But no he did neither of the above. His response was the following:
"By God," replied Abdullah, "the enemies of God are not more comfortable than I at this moment. If you wish. I shall go out tomorrow and do the same."
We should always remember that our duty is to give the message over to others to the best of our ability and the rest is up to the individual.
We should also remember that we should do dawah to the best of our ability. We can only imagine the beautiful voice that Abdullah Ibn Masud recited the Quraan in. Even though they still rejected the Quraan it was bound to touch their hearts.
Lesson 3:Recitation of surah Waqiah every night
Here we learn about the excellence of reciting surah Waqiah as means of protection against poverty. Today we are more interested in leaving wealth for our children rather than ensuring that you leave Islam with them. Ensuring that our children are of good character and are filled with the remembrance of Allah should be our concern. This is ultimately the best of successes and a solution to poverty in our community.
Lesson 4: Living between fear and hope
Even on his death bed his worry was about his sins and he longed for the mercy of Allah (SWT). How many times are we too self righteous and think we are so pious to the extent that we think we are not in need of Allah's (SWT) mercy. Yet this sahaabah had this worry on his death bed. This teaches us to continually remember our sins and seek forgiveness and live in between the hope and fear.
Announcement by Minaret College
Minaret College, a well-established Muslim school in the Melbourne
south and east region has an enrolment of over 900 boys and girls from prep to year 12. It is not only caters for local students but also overseas students and is well recognised for its high academic standards.
Mid Year enrolment is now open for 2007 from pre-school to year 12. Enrol your child/children and encourage your families and friends to enrol their children too. Minaret College offers a safe and sound education in an Islamic environment.
For further information please visit our web site
www.minaret.vic.edu.au E-mail admin@minaret.vic.edu.au
Tel.: (613) 95484755
Location: 36 Lewis Street, Springvale 3171, Australia
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS:
ISOMER
ISOMER Retirement Home 97529455
ISOMER Website; http://www.isomer.org.au
ISOMER MEMBERSHIP
There are two kinds of members of ISOMER: ordinary members and foundation members. Any Muslim can apply to become an ordinary member by filling in an application form and paying the annual membership dues. After one year an ordinary member can apply to become a foundation member. Candidates for foundation membership must be approved by an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. Only foundation members have the right to vote at ISOMER official meetings. Membership application forms can be obtained from the ISOMER Secretary, .
