The Women's Mosque of America

"The Mother and the Status of Women in the Qur'an" Pre-Khutbah Bayan by Sr. Dalal Hassoun (3/31/17)

Sister Dalal Hassoun, the unforgettable trivia winner from our first Iftar & Qiyam, delivers her pre-khutbah bayan in Arabic on March 31st, 2017, with a live-translation in English by her daughter and past khateebah Dr. Hadia Al Abdullah. This was the first time The Women's Mosque of America had a non-English speaker talk to the congregation, and it was a beautiful excample of the hidden gems that are all around us in our communities, sometimes with only a mere language barrier preventing us from gaining profound spiritual wisdom and insights. Sr. Dalal's bayan was on the topic of mothers in the Qur'an, as well as the impactful role that women play throughout each of the prophetic stories in the Holy Qur'an.

Bio:
Sister Dalal Hassoun was born and raised in Syria where she lived with her parents and four siblings. Her brother provided her with a solid foundation in Islam and always encouraged her to read, learn, and question everything in order to have a better understanding. The book became her friend and she tried to read as many books as she could to increase her knowledge. She took part in leading the first women-led Islamic halaqas (spiritual study circles) in Syria when she moved to Damascus in 1967, and she continued to attend women’s halaqas to increase her Islamic knowledge. She got married when she was 17 years old and had six children whom she raised to have the same passion for knowledge and to pursue higher education. Even though circumstances prevented her from higher education, she continued to pursue knowledge and educated herself in Islamic studies and continued to be a leader in her community. In addition to education, Sister Dalal is also very passionate about helping those in need, and she has led efforts to do so in her community for more than 35 years. She is a student of the nonviolent activist Jawdat Said, and she always spreads his message. Sister Dalal moved to America in 2011 after she participated in one of the first silent women’s protests in Syria and had to leave the country for her safety. Since then, she has continued to spread her knowledge and ideas on Facebook. She has posted many opinion pieces such as book summaries and reflections on different topics to help educate others. Sister Dalal continues to advise and help the younger generation through her social media, and her dream is to see peace all over the world.

Adthan by Crystal Keshawarz (11/20/15)

Mu'adthinah Crystal Keshawarz calls the 11th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on November 20th, 2015.

"Suicide Prevention Awareness" Khutbah by Kameelah Wilkerson (9/25/15)

**Are you feeling hopeless or suicidal? Please call 1-800-273-8255 now or chat online with someone who can listen to you and help you: http://chat.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx -- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. You are loved.**

Khateebah Kameelah Wilkerson delivers the 9th khutbah for The Women's Mosque of America at the OC pop-up jumma'a on September 25th, 2015.

Bio:
Kameelah Waheed Wilkerson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 16 years in the mental health field. Kameelah currently works in Quality Management with a large non-profit child welfare organization ensuring quality of care and services to youth and their families. Kameelah has served on the board of Directors at Masjid Al-Taqwa for the past 10 years, and she utilizes her position on the board to address issues of importance to the community. Kameelah works within the Muslim community toward the goal of promoting wholeness and integration of the spiritual, emotional, and social self.

"Know Yourself to Know Your Lord" Pre-Khutbah Bayan by Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi (9/25/15)

Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi delivers the pre-khutbah bayan (talk) at the OC pop-up jumma'a for The Women's Mosque of America on September 25th, 2015. In her bayan, she explains the four possible personality types and how each individual connects with God in a way that is unique to their personality type; for example, some people have an intellectual connection with God, while others connect through love, prayer, or activism. In learning more about ourselves and embracing our unique personality types, we unlock the key to understanding and deepening our connection with God.

Bio:
For nearly 20 years, Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi has been actively involved in the Muslim community in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California, working and volunteering for several organizations including Peace Terrace Academy, Islamic Networks Group, Zaytuna Institute, Deen Intensive, Northstar School, (RIS) Reviving the Islamic Spirit, One Legacy Radio, Pillars Academy, Islamic Speakers Bureau of Southern California, Grand Mawlid, Sacred Caravan, Rahmah Foundation, GiveLight Foundation, Celebrate Mercy, and Happy Hearts Learning Co-op. With the various positions she’s held, and as a Qur’an teacher and lecturer over the years, Ustadha Hosai has been blessed to meet thousands of Muslims from different backgrounds and, in the process, develop many deep and lasting relationships both personally and professionally. She has also been able to gauge the mental health issues of the larger community firsthand by serving as a private mediator, advisor and mentor to many.

Ustadha Hosai is currently the co-founder of MH4M, co-founded by Dr. Nafisa Sekandari. Together, they develop content about mental health that is unique and tailored for the Muslim community, combining sound Islamic teachings with well documented clinical science. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two young sons.

Adthan by Aliya Hussaini Yousufi (9/25/15)

Mu'adthinah Aliya Hussaini Yousufi delivers a beautiful adthan at the OC pop-up jumma'a for The Women's Mosque of America on September 25th, 2015.

"The 12 Wives as Disciples of the Prophet (p)" Khutbah by Gail Kennard (8/28/15)

Khateebah Gail Kennard delivers the 8th khutbah for The Women's Mosque of America on August 28th, 2015. In her sermon, Gail sheds new light on the Mothers of the Believers and reframes their role as the female disciples of the last Prophet of God (peace be upon him).

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.

Adthan by Nia Malika Dixon (8/28/15)

Mu'adthinah Nia Malika Dixon calls the 8th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on August 28th, 2015.

Adthan by Amal Ali (7/24/15)

Mu'adthinah Amal Ali calls the 7th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on July 24th, 2015.

Adthan by Nia Malika Dixon (5/22/15)

Mu'adthinah Nia Malika Dixon calls the 5th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on May 22nd, 2015.

Adthan by Travina Springer (3/27/15)

Mu'adthinah Travina Springer calls the 3rd adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on March 27th, 2015. Travina is a stand-up comedian who also helps moderate the post-jumma'a Q&A Discussion Circles at The Women's Mosque of Americ.