Thanks to Allah (SWT) and to all community members who have been working deligently to maintain, improve and expand the areas of activities in our mosque as well as in the community.The credit goes to all who are involved in the teamwork.
Prayers, Marriages & Funerals : The mosque is open for five daily prayers except in an extreme weather conditions. Friday prayer and Jumah khatbas are delivered mostly by full time, resident Imam as well as by guest Islamic scholars and activists. Two Eid prayer services are facilitated for about 700 area Muslims for each Eid. Taraweeh prayer with Khatm is led by Imam as well as a guest hafidh. During Ramadan in the last 10 days qiyamul lail, the night vigil prayer is organized.
ISM provides services for Islamic marriages and funerals as they are requested or needed. 600-700 people attend the masjid every week for regular 5 time prayers, Friday prayers and during the classes of Sunday school, Quran school and Saturday school, Halaqah and other activities. Among the attendees 200 are children. At least 50 of them teen agers. This means that throughout the year there is no day that ISM activities take a break unlike Wal-Mart or Meijer or any other place of worship.
ISM Arabic & Hifdh Saturday School: Sister Khulood Musleh runs Arabic language and Quran memorization beginning and intermediate level classes for the ages 6-11. There are around 50 children attend these classess.These classes are being held upstairs in the community hall every Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Wonderful opportunity for our community children! Thanks to Sister Khulood.
ISM Sunday Teenagers Class: This year Sunday school is successfully running special class for middle and high school boys and girls. Sister Ruhi Sulaihi and Imam Sirajuddin are teaching these classes. There are 35 to 40 students attending regularly these classes. They are memorizing surahs of the Quran, learning the detailed rulings of aspects of Islamic belief and Ibadaat, discussing varies current topics of interest and giving presentation and listening to guest speakers.
ISM Quran School: After noon Quran School runs throughout the year except Ramadan. These classes are held every Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 throughout the year. Children 4 years and older are welcome to attend the classes to learn how to read Quran, memorize Surahs, praying and learning Islamic manners. This is run by Imam with the help of volunteers. Volunteers are needed for these classes to help children to learn, behave and enjoy their time with other Muslim friends. Thank you for your time. If you are interested call to: (574) 255-1142 or send an email: "mohammadsirajuddin75@yahoo.com"
Tajweed Halaqa: Every Sunday after Maghrib prayer we have tajweed Halaqa (proper Quran Recitation). It aims to help adults to learn the book of Allah, the final revelation as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through angel Gabriel.
Summer School: Every year right after South Bend and PHM district schools close for summer break ISM summer school starts. It runs 3 days a week for 3 hours. Kids and teen ager boys and girls memorize Quran, learn Arabic letters, make friends, do activities and play and pray together.
Quran Competition: Every year during the month of Ramadan ISM organizes competitions for children, youth and adults to instill love for Quran and compete in learning Allah's book and to preserve beautiful passages of Divine Speech of Allah.
Quran Halaqas: Every Thursday we have Quran Halaqa in the masjid after Maghrib prayer. This helps us nourish our souls with the knowledge, guidance and the light of the Quran while strengthening bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood by sharing knowledge, insight and experiences to make Quran relevant to our life. This is open for brothers and sisters. There are two more Quran Halaqas organized in our masjid by the sisters for sisters. One is in Arabic on Wednesdays and another one is on Thursdays. Both are after noon. If you are interested in attending these Halaqas call to: (574) 255-1142.
ISLAM 101 Class: Every Jumah after Jumah prayer we have ISLAM 101 class. This class is taught by Brother Allie Jojo every Friday in the masjid upstairs. The basic beliefs, the pillars of Islam and how to pray and live as Muslim is taught in this class. Brothers, sisters new to Islam or born into Islam but did not had the opportunity to learn the basics of Islam. This is wonderful opportunity for these individuals. May Allah help us all to learn our faith and live by it, Ameen!
ISM Ansar Program: This is relatively a new program we introduced last year to the community. It aims to help mentor and guide our new brothers and sisters in the community, especially new Muslims. Every couple of months there is a new brother or sister who is taking shahadah (accepting Islam as their new faith) or coming to the community after taking shahadah recently. These brothers and sisters are in their beginning stages of Islam. They need support, guidance and friendship to integrate and stay in their new faith. We are looking for individuals who are willing to give part of their time for this noble cause. If you are interested please call or send an email: (574) 255-1142 "mohammadsirajuddin75@yahoo.com". Thank you.
There are 1000 visitors come every year to ISM mosque. ISM annually distributes around 200 qurans to the visitors and to those who are interested in studying the Holy Scripture of Islam beyond its basics. ISM also gives 1000 booklets to the visitors welcoming them and educating them with accurate knowledge about Islam and Muslims.
ISM dawah committee visits churches, colleges, schools and clubs to give presentation on Islam and facilities trips to the students and people of interest.
ISM pays annual membership fee to be part of local interfaith religious organization called URC. One member of the community represents ISM in URC board beside Imam being a religious clergy member of URC. ISM participates and occasionally hosts different URC activities such as MLK day, Annual URC breakfast and different ongoing inter faith dialogs and projects.
Interfaith dialogue: ISM women interfaith group meets every month with "Little Flower Church" women's group. Christian, Jewish and Muslim women get together to understand each other every second Tuesday of the month with potluck lunch. One month in the mosque and one month in the church, one month in Jewish synagogue. This has been going on for last several years.
Refugees and individuals are helped in relocating then in the area. ISM Volunteers help them in finding jobs, learning English and providing transportation and getting donations of used furniture. ISM assists from its Zakat fund 25-30 individuals and families who are single parents, can't find jobs or struggling to pay their bills multiple times a year.
ISM does occasional fundraising to send relief to the countries suffering from natural and man-made disasters.
ISM Annual Food Drive: September is Hunger Action Month in Michiana. In Northern Indiana, nearly 17% of our friends, co-workers and family members do not have enough to eat. ISM as part of larger Michiana community participate in this project every year to reach out to our neighbors and less fortunate in our community. Islamic Society of Michiana will be collecting 2-3 barrel non perishable food items are donated to the local food bank.
7000-8000 meals ISM members prepare to feed the community during the month of Ramadan and for Friday lunches. ISM provides breakfast for 2 Eids for 1500 members.
ISM Pastoral Counseling: This pastoral counseling is done on community need bases. Every week after Friday prayer and during week Imam meets with individuals and family members who are in need of support, help and Islamic guidance about their social, financial and parental issues. Although, Imam has mental health community counseling degree. However, this is not a professional counseling sessions. It is free of charge. ISM does not take any responsibility for the decisions client make after the counseling.
Occasional Events: Eid Parties, Fun-fairs, open houses, camping and community picnic.
Every week community adults and youth play soccer, cricket, basket ball and Wally ball. These games attract many youth. Thanks to the community members who donated generously to build ISM community hall. May Allah reward them fully and bless them all, Ameen!