The Women's Mosque of America

“The Wives of the Prophet Muhammad (p) as Disciples” by Gail Kennard - 2nd Annual Co-Ed Iftar & Qiyam

In this brilliant, paradigm-shifting talk on the Mothers of the Believers, Khateebah Gail Kennard offers profound insights on the Prophet Muhammad's (p) 12 disciples, all of whom were women. This talk was originally delivered as a khutbah at The Women's Mosque of America on August 28th, 2015; here, it is presented again in shortened form for the benefit of the men who attended this co-ed event. -- On the evening of July 2nd, 2016, The Women's Mosque of America held its second annual co-ed iftar & qiyam during the holy month of Ramadan, featuring all women speakers and a chance for the greater public to benefit from the spiritual insights of Muslim women leaders.

Bio:
Gail Kennard was raised in Los Angeles and learned about Islam as a high school student when she read the autobiography of Malcolm X. She accepted Islam while in graduate school at UC Berkeley, and she has been active in the Muslim communities of San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

For the past 20 years, Gail has been president of the architectural business founded by her late father, Robert Kennard, in Los Angeles. The firm designs public buildings, transit and utility infrastructure projects. The company, Kennard Design Group, is the oldest African-American-owned architectural practice in the western United States.

Gail earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from Stanford University, a master’s degree in Journalism from UC Berkeley — and for the past 60+ years, she has been struggling to earn her post-graduate degree in this life under the guidance of Allah, subhanna wa ta’allah.

Q&A Discussion Circle -- 1st Annual Co-Ed Iftar & Qiyam (7/10/15)

During the banquet portion of the night, the floor was opened to a Q&A discussion circle, giving the men and women in attendance a chance to speak to the group and share their reflections and questions. Many women shared their experiences attending the mosque as congregants, and the men in the room were able to learn from the first-hand experience of their sisters in Islam. -- On the evening of July 10th, 2015, The Women's Mosque of America held its first annual co-ed iftar & qiyam during the holy month of Ramadan, featuring all women speakers and a chance for the greater public to benefit from the spiritual insights of Muslim women leaders.

"Wholeness, Healing, and Hope: Lessons from Mary, Mother of Prophet Jesus (p)" by Dr. Najeeba Syeed -- 1st Annual Co-Ed Iftar & Qiyam (7/10/15)

In this powerful talk, Dr. Najeeba Syeed draws upon the story of Maryam, mother of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon them) to instruct on how to keep one's faith during trying times. -- On the evening of July 10th, 2015, The Women's Mosque of America held its first annual co-ed iftar & qiyam during the holy month of Ramadan, featuring all women speakers and a chance for the greater public to benefit from the spiritual insights of Muslim women leaders.

Bio:
Dr. Najeeba Syeed is a professor at the Claremont School of Theology and director of the Center for Global Peacebuilding. She is recognized as a leader in peacebuilding and twice received the Jon Anson Ford Award for reducing violence in schools in the area of interracial gang conflicts. Dr. Syeed was named Southern California Mediation Association’s “Peacemaker of the Year” in 2007. She has chaired national conferences on Muslim and Interfaith Peacebuilding, has served as a mediator in many cases, and has started mediation programs in several institutions including the University of Southern California and several middle and high schools. Schools have reported a significant drop in disciplinary referrals and violence after her involvement. Dr. Najeeba Syeed’s track record as a peacemaker has made her a sought out advisor for state, federal, and White House initiatives, and in international conflicts in Guam, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, India, and France.

Trivia Game: Famous Women in Islam (7/10/15)

During dinner, the audience participated in a fun trivia game about famous women in Islam; the game was informative and created a lot of laughter in the room when it came down to the final two contenders! Sister Dalal Hassoun, a learned Syrian grandmother who grew up with the women's mosques in Syria, took away the prize with flying colors mashAllah!

Q&A w/Sr. Dalal Hassoun & Tasneem Noor

Q&A Discussion Circle w/the Imams -- Khateebah Tasneem Noor leads the congregation through The Peace Process - a simple but powerful exercise to help us feel our feelings fully before releasing them in a healthy way. Sr. Dalal Hassoun also shares her wisdom with the congregation through an insightful discussion after prayer (live-translated by her daughter and past khateebah Dr. Hadia Al Abdullah).

"The Gift of Feelings" Khutbah by Tasneem Noor (3/31/17)

Returning khateebah Tasneem Noor delivers a healing and helpful khutbah on the topic of feelings on March 31st, 2017, and how we can access our feelings - even gratitude for our negative feelings - to lead us to greater good. In the Q&A discussion that follows her khutbah, she leads the congregation through a transformative exercise called The Peace Process (see next audio file).

Bio:
Tasneem Farah Noor is a speaker, facilitator, Life coach, and the author of the book “The Faith Connection: Your Journey Starts with Knowing Yourself.” She has her Masters in Education from UCLA; and her coaching certification from the Life Mastery Institute. She has worked on university campuses like UCLA and Cal State LA. After a rewarding career in higher education for seven years, Tasneem transitioned to Life coaching and facilitating interfaith dialogue as her full-time career. She is the lead Muslim facilitator for NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for change, and sits on five different interfaith boards including the Interfaith Council at the Islamic Center of Southern California. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, CA in 2000, she lived in India, Pakistan, and Dubai.

Adthan by Crystal Keshawarz (11/18/16)

Mu'adthinah Crystal Keshawarz calls the 23rd adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on November 18th, 2016.

Adthan by Aziza Hasan (6/26/15)

Mu'adthinah Aziza Hasan calls the 6th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on June 26th, 2015.

Adthan by Mahasin Shamsiddeen (4/24/15)

Mu'adthinah Mahasin Shamsiddeen calls the 4th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on April 24th, 2015.

"Having Faith in Yourself" Khutbah by Tasneem F. Noor (10/28/16)

Khateebah Tasneem Farrah Noor delivers the 22nd khutbah for The Women's Mosque of America on October 28th, 2016. In her khutbah, Tasneem shares beautiful insights on all the different layers of faith, and the importance of having faith in oneself in order to have faith in God. She offers practical steps to increasing one's faith and reminds the congregation that it all starts with a single breath.

Bio:
Tasneem Farah Noor is a speaker, facilitator, Life coach, and the author of the book “The Faith Connection: Your Journey Starts with Knowing Yourself.” She has her Masters in Education from UCLA; and her coaching certification from the Life Mastery Institute. She has worked on university campuses like UCLA and Cal State LA. After a rewarding career in higher education for seven years, Tasneem transitioned to Life coaching and facilitating interfaith dialogue as her full-time career. She is the lead Muslim facilitator for NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for change, and sits on five different interfaith boards including the Interfaith Council at the Islamic Center of Southern California. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, CA in 2000, she lived in India, Pakistan, and Dubai.