We thank Allah SWT for His Mercy and Blessings in granting The Islamic Council of New England a successful year of support and outreach in the Muslim community. The Council’s success began with overwhelming participation at its December 2 2017 Annual Banquet where the keynote speaker was the incomparable Imam Siraj Wahaj who addressed the vital theme of the day,” Our Youth the Future of America”. Focusing on the youth Imam Siraj Wahhaj had the audience in a trance as he shared his own personal experiences with his siblings and giving advice to the attending parents, “be a friend to your children do not cut off communication with them”. Fittingly the youth participation reflected the talent our youth demonstrated that evening as they took our adult audience to their level of communication. An award for academic achievements was presented to our young scholars. Suggestions were made for more youth involvement and empowerment on committees. The Council’s support of and assistance to other organization as CAIR, CMM, MCCT, HHRD and The Islamic Seminary Foundation keeps it well in reach in networking with these organizations for community involvement and Council recognition.
Our Annual Ramadan Iftar Rece
After Ramadan our efforts continued to seek other avenues to establish programs and partnerships on June 30th and July 1, ICNE New England Leadership Group in partnership with Sound Vision established a Media Education Program. The program was held at two locations June 30th at Westborough MA, Helping Hand USA, NE office and The Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Berlin Mosque CT both sites were well attended and professionally conducted program. Our outreach efforts in Interfaith Alliances hosted a two-day Mid Atlantic Catholic Muslim Dialogue on October 2-3 at the Worcester Islamic Center (WIC) Worcester MA. The 2018 Mid-Atlantic Catholic Muslim Dialogue was sponsored by ICNE and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD). The two-day dialogue was fully covered by the local media.
As the President pointed out in his opening remarks, the Council’s work is never-ending. The following two attachments submitted by the Editorial Committee remind us all about the problem of JUDGMENT how we are judged by the outside, and how we judge on the inside. The statement, A message from your Muslim neighbors, teaches us how to deal with those who do not understand us. From Darkness to Darkness is much more difficult but absolutely essential to implement in our lives as Muslims and that is how we judge one another. We must never forget,
“The judgment is only Allah’s; He relates the truth and He is the best of deciders”. [6:57];
“That is Allah’s judgment; He judges between you, and Allah Knows, Wise”. [60:10]
May Allah SWT guide us on the Straight Path, Ameen