*ICO Monthly Newsletter 🌙 Sha'ban 1445

HALAL FOOD FEST - NEW BASKETBALL CAMP

The crescent of the month of Shaban was sighted on Saturday, February 10th. 

Therefore, the 1st of Sha'ban is today, Sunday, February 11th. 

The first day of Ramadan will be either be March 11th or 12th depending on global moonsighting.

Through the infinite grace and blessings of Allah , we have exited the 7th Islamic lunar month of Rajab and entered into 8th month of Sha'ban. The month of Sha'ban is a blessed month regarding which our mother and the wife of Rasulullah , Aisha said that "I never saw him (Rasulullah ) fast more than he did in Sha'ban." When asked regarding this by his companion Usamah ibn Zayd , Rasulullah said "That (Sha'ban) is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting." A benefit of fasting in Sha'ban is that it is a kind of training for Ramadan, in case a person finds it difficult to fast when Ramadan starts; if he fasts in Sha'ban he will have gotten used to fasting and he will feel adjusted and energetic when Ramadan comes. Shaban is also an opportunity to make up the last missed fasts from the last Ramadan which should not go beyond Shaban. Sha'ban is like an introduction to Ramadan and it has some things in common with Ramadan, such as fasting, reciting Quran, praying Tahajjud, and giving in charity. ICO follows the Prophetic Sunnah of moonsighting to determine whether the Islamic lunar months have 29 or 30 days. Therefore we will determine the start of Ramadan by monitoring authentic global moonsighting reports at Maghrib on the 29th day of Sha'ban. If the crescent moon is authentically reported as sighted anywhere in the world, we will begin Ramadan the next day. If not, we will finish 30 days of Sha'ban and the first day of Ramadan will be the day after. May Allah bless us in Sha'ban and allow us to reach Ramadan! Aameen.

ICO would like to remind the community that our events and activities are as active  as ever! From Imam Tariq Rasheeds weekend classes on Tasawwuf, Hadith, and Tafsir to Mufti Sulaimans weekly Wednesday Majlis and Sunday Windermere Halaqah to our Biweekly Sisters Halaqah to our Friday Youth Class to our Toddler Story Time, there is something at ICO for brothers and sisters of all ages and for every member of the family! All are encouraged to attend and benefit from our weekly events and activities at ICO.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Please do not double park in the parking lot or on the street when you come to Masjid especially during Jummuah. It is causing an inconvenience for the traffic flow and local law enforcement officers are monitoring the situation. Please kindly utilize the new parking lot.

Click the images below to view ICO Linktree and Calendar 

Bimillhir Rahmnir Rahm

As the month of Sha'bn has begun, we are just weeks away from the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadn. It was the noble habit of our beloved Master Rasulullah Sallallhu A'lyhi Wa Sallam to fervently ask Allah Ta'l to allow him to witness Ramadn two months in advance. Consequently, this eagerness for the sacred month has always been a characteristic of the pious.

Allhumma Brik lana f Rajabin wa Shabn, wa ballighn Ramadn

Oh Allah, bless us in the month of Rajab and Shabn, and enable us to witness Ramadn [Shu'abul mn: 3534]

Among the ways to anticipate the blessed month is to start implementing the practices we wish to engage in during Ramadn, such as optional prayers, lengthier supplications, recitation of the Noble Qur'n, dhikr (remembrance of Allah Ta'l), etc. If we succeed in our preparations, Ramadn will find us well-prepared to seize the invaluable opportunities and blessings it brings. Just as a baby learns to walk before running, we must take these initial steps now so that we'll be 'running' when the blessed month commences. Additionally, we must patch all the 'holes' of sins that may 'leak' the good we attain, as well as be a cause for deprivation, amongst many other harms.

May Allah Ta'l make this Ramadn our best!

2nd Annual Orlando Halal Food Festival brought to you this year by Islamic Relief USA hosted at the Islamic Center of Orlando on Saturday, February 17th, from 12 PM - 10 PM. Mark your calendars and share with all of your family and friends, Muslim and Non-Muslim alike!

A special thanks to the main sponsor, Islamic Relief USA along with the other sponsors Daves Hot chicken, ShouFi MahFi Grill, Talkin Tacos, Abu Omar, Beef n Buns & Caravan for making this event possible. 

ICO Youth is excited to annouce that our Outdoor Basketball Court has finished construction and is ready to be used! To kick-off, we will be hosting a Basketball Camp, consisting of games, tournaments, prizes, and more, for kids ages 7-13 on Sunday, March 3rd, from 9 AM - 2 PM. There is no fee, but donations to ICO Youth to support their many events and activities are appreciated. If interested, please register your child via the registration and waiver/release form in the link below by 2/23.

Registration and Waiver/Release Form Link: https://forms.gle/3YdN7Ljx6moUCMQBA

ICO is very excited to announce our brand new app available on the Apple and Android App Stores! Download the Islamic Center of Orlando App today to have ICO Salah timings, news, events, activities, donation portals, and more all easily accessible on your smartphone! 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/islamic-center-of-orlando/id6456651789

Android App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newmilleniaconsulting.nmcmasjid&pcampaignid=web_share

It is important for us to remember how significant Ramadan is, as it is a month for self-improvement, spiritual reflection, and devotion to Allah SWT. With Ramadan approaching, it can be very challenging for us as students to balance our religious responsibilities with our academic ones. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it can seem difficult to fast while in school, especially during exams. However, we should view these challenges as opportunities to improve ourselves and become better Muslims. We can use this holy month to cultivate good habits, strengthen our time management skills, and enhance our resilience. For example, we can organize ourselves and create a timeline for our activities, following our local timings for when we can start and end eating, and aligning our timetable with prayers. Since everyone revises differently, we should discover what works best for ourselves. Moreover, we should make constant honest dua to Allah during Ramadan, as the dua of the fasting person is accepted. We can ask Allah SWT to make it easier for us and to increase our patience and knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge during Ramadan is not just an academic endeavor but also an act of worship.
- Aariz Rashid

Aariz Rashid grew up attending the Islamic Center of Orlando. He is currently a freshmen at University of Central Florida and enjoys travelling, trying new foods, and playing sports in his free time. 

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