The Women's Mosque of America

Q&A with Hajjah Abrafi S. Sanyika (1/27/17)

Q&A Discussion Circle w/the Imam -- Khateebah Hajjah Abrafi S. Sanyika shares her wisdom with the congregation as they ask her questions about her khutbah and how to stand for truth in the current climate in America.

"Standing On Truth, Stepping Out In Truth" Khutbah by Hajjah Abrafi S. Sanyika - 2 Year Anniversary (1/27/17)

Khateebah Hajjah Abrafi S. Sanyika delivers the 25th khutbah for The Women's Mosque of America's 2 Year Anniversary on January 27th, 2017. In her powerful and information-packed khutbah, Hajjah Abrafi draws upon the important themes of honoring our ancient histories and standing firm in our truth as we struggle for justice, including standing up for #BlackLivesMatter.

Bio:
Hajjah Abrafi S. Sanyika is a proud native of Chicago, which was founded on the shore of Lake Michigan by an African fur trader, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and listened as a young child to the life-affirming teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Even then she knew that there is only One God, because that is what her parents taught at home. She remembers being “thrown out” of Sunday school at age eleven, because she announced that Jesus (pbuh) was not the “son of God”, but a great prophet like all the other great prophets. She was exposed to many religious/spiritual traditions growing up and continues to honor the beauty in all of them.

Abrafi euphemistically describes her professional career as “eclectic”. She reflects that she is from that generation of women who chose either nursing, teaching, or secretarial work, because other professions were generally foreclosed to women. Originally an anthropology major, she redirected when she got a divorce and had to consider raising two small boys as a single parent. Instead, she obtained a B.A. and M.A. in education. Her M.A. thesis was a study of the cocoa industry of Ghana, West Africa. She first taught at the University of Chicago Lab School, then directed Ujima Family Center, an alternative school in Chicago. Moving to California, she attended UCLA Law School, worked for several attorneys, became a realtor, and eventually returned to professional education.

She is now retired and has published several position papers, including “An Open Letter to the Immigrant Muslim Community.” She co-wrote The Eternal Genetic Presence, an anthology of visual artist Nathaniel Bustion’s incredible talent; and is the author of Makeda, Queen of Sheba, a children’s book written in honor of her daughter, Makeda. She is the founder and director of The Egyptian Repertoire Company, a nonprofit educational foundation that researches, writes, and presents seminars and rituals based on African history and culture, and is currently writing two other books for publication.

Adthan by Mahasin Shamsiddeen (1/27/17)

Mu'adthinah Mahasin Shamsiddeen calls the adthan for The Women's Mosque of America's 2 Year Anniversary jumma'a on January 27th, 2017.

Q&A with Tuscany Bernier & Tasneem F. Noor (12/16/16)

Q&A Discussion Circle with the Imams -- Khateebahs Tuscany Bernier & Tasneem F. Noor answer congregants' questions on many issues, including how to best help the Muslim community and how to remain hopeful despite in the current political climate in America on December 16th, 2016 at The Women's Mosque of America.

"Turning Hardships into Blessings" Khutbah by Tasneem F. Noor (12/16/16)

Khateebah Tasneem Farrah Noor returns to deliver the 24th khutbah at The Women's Mosque of America on December 16th, 2016. In her khutbah, Tasneem draws upon life lessons and Qur'anic wisdom to instruct the congregation on how to deal with hardships while keeping one's faith and seeing the hidden blessings in every situation, no matter how difficult.

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 Mahasin Shamsiddeen (12/16/16)

Mu'adthinah Mahasin Shamsiddeen calls the 24th adthan for The Women's Mosque of America on December 16th, 2016.

Q&A with Dr. Hadia Al Abdullah & Dr. Najeeba Syeed

This was the second time time The Women's Mosque of America published its audio recording of the post-jumma'a Q&A Discussion Circle with the Imam, due to the importance of spreading awareness about the topics discussed. This jumma'a marked the third of The Women's Mosque of America's 3-part post-jumma'a discussion circle series on #BlackLivesMatter and how Muslims can draw upon the example of the Prophet Muhammad (p) to use our hearts, tongues, and hands to stand for justice: “Whosoever of you sees an injustice, let them change it with their hand; and if they are not able to do so, then let them change it with their tongue; and if they are not able to do so, then with their heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” -Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (Narrated by Muslim)

"Finding Your Voice" Khutbah by Dr. Najeeba Syeed (9/30/16)

Khateebah Dr. Najeeba Syeed delivers the 21st khutbah for The Women's Mosque of America on September 30th, 2016.

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.

Adthan by Susan Butler (9/30/16)

Mu'adthinah Susan Butler calls the 21st adthan for The Women's Mosque of America, just months after taking her Shahada (declaration of faith) and becoming a Muslim amongst her sisters at The Women's Mosque of America on September 30th, 2016.

#BlackLivesMatter Discussion - PART 3/3: Activating the HAND (9/30/16)

This was the second time time The Women's Mosque of America published its audio recording of the post-jumma'a Q&A Discussion Circle with the Imam, due to the importance of spreading awareness about the topics discussed. This jumma'a marked the third of The Women's Mosque of America's 3-part post-jumma'a discussion circle series on #BlackLivesMatter and how Muslims can draw upon the example of the Prophet Muhammad (p) to use our hearts, tongues, and hands to stand for justice:

“Whosoever of you sees an injustice, let them change it with their hand; and if they are not able to do so, then let them change it with their tongue; and if they are not able to do so, then with their heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” -Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (Narrated by Muslim)