As the sacred season of Hajj approaches, we pray that God blesses your efforts in serving the religion and the faithful community.

To support those embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, Dr. Shaykh Faiyaz Jaffer has prepared a comprehensive and accessible video guide on YouTube. This episode offers a clear and concise overview of the most important rulings of Hajj, along with practical insights for today’s pilgrims.

This Video Provides:

✅ Clear, simple explanations of key rulings
✅ Helpful visual aids to guide understanding
✅ Consideration of the latest updates in Makkah’s infrastructure and logistics

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DivaenQcGkc

We kindly ask you to share this resource with your community, friends, and loved ones—especially those planning to perform Hajj this year. Your support may help ease and enrich their spiritual experience.

“Cooperate in righteousness and Godwariness.” (Qur’an 5:2)

The post Missed the Hajj Webinar? Watch the Recording Now! appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

The SBL-AAR Annual Meeting brings together numerous professors and students, authors and publishers, religious leaders, and interested attendees, to its gathering each year.

The event is co-hosted by the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and the American Academy of Religion (AAR).

This year’s Annual Meeting has taken place in San Antonio, Texas, and has attracted close to 10,000 attendees, participating in more than 1,200 academic sessions and workshops.

The Exhibit Hall features one of the world’s largest collections of books and digital resources for academic religious study, as well as a vibrant networking space where attendees present ideas to publishers, browse the latest publications, and connect with colleagues.

IMAM attended this year’s event for the first time to promote awareness regarding the Twelver Shia Islamic faith in a space where Islamic representation is scarce. 

IMAM’s exhibition booth featured its in-house publications as well as those of the Mufid Academic Seminary.

These books cover a variety of topics, including prophetic stories, introductory books about Shia Islam and Imam Hussain, as well as the Islamic law booklet series for practical life issues. 

IMAM’s participation in this interfaith event serves to promote community cohesion and co-existence in North America.

The post The SBL-AAR Annual Meeting 2023 appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

As we celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) and Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (p), let us reflect on the character of these great personalities and draw inspiration in our daily lives. Undoubtedly, the Prophet and his family offer us a sense of motivation to work toward improving our character and making the world a better place through their light and guidance.

The post Inspiration from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

As we welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan, here are 5 important spiritual goals we can strive for to benefit from this amazing month.

5 Spiritual Goals for the Holy Month of Ramadan:

#1 – Try to read the Holy Quran from start to finish at least once

#2 – Devote time for reading religious books

#3 – Forgive and ask others for forgiveness, especially family

#4 – Volunteer at your Islamic Centers and for your community

#5 – Give something in charity according to your means

The post Video – 5 Spiritual Goals for the Holy Month of Ramadan | Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

Dear Believers, peace be upon you.

Two years ago today, a spiritual summit was held between His Holiness Pope Francis and Grand Ayatullah Sayyid al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq.

In continuation of the spirit with which the summit was held, here are some insightful reflections on the historic event. (Click on the video to learn more.)

I.M.A.M. thanks the following contributors for their time and effort in sharing these insightful messages:

• Rev. Dr. William A. Au Pastor | Archdiocese of Baltimore Imam
• Mohamad Bashar Arafat Founder & President | Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF)
• Mary Yelenick Representative | Pax Christi International
• Professor Shaykh Odeh Muhawesh University of St. Thomas Rev.
• Dr. Elias D. Mallon Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA)
• Imam Mohamed Hag Magid ADAMS Center, Washington DC Area
• Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi Secretary General | Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America

The post Expressions of Togetherness | Pope Francis and Sayyid al-Sistani appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

Advice from Grand Ayatullah Shaykh Ishaq al-Fayyad to Believers in the West 

His Eminence Shaykh Mahmoud al-Fayyad, representative and general manager of the office of Grand Ayatullah Shaykh Ishaq al-Fayyad (may God prolong his life) visited the United States of America during the holy month of Muharram this year (between July 26 and August 24, 2022). 

During his visit, Shaykh al-Fayyad was able to meet the Shia Muslim community from different ethnicities and backgrounds across the United States. He conveyed important recommendations from the religious authority to believers in the West in general and in the United States in particular. He also engaged in dialogue and bilateral meetings, participated in solving some of the problems that were presented to him, and received feedback to relay the religious authority on the causes of concern for believers in the West. 

His tour included visits to the following Islamic centers:

• al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, New York
• al-Mahdi Islamic Center – SIJNY, Hicksville, New York
• Imam Ali Masjid, Pennsauken Township, New Jersey 
• Mohammadia Islamic Associates-Afghan, Paterson, New Jersey
• al-Fatemah Islamic Center, Albany, New York
• Masjed of Imam Hussain, Tracy, CA 
• Islamic Center of Zahra (ICZ, Pleasanton, CA 
• Dar-e Batool Shia Islamic Center, Fremont, CA 
• Fatimiyya Islamic Center, Hayward, CA 
• SABA Islamic Center, San Jose, CA 
• Masjid Al Rasool, Simi Valley, California 
• Jafaria Shia Islamic Society, Anaheim, California
• Masjid Al-Zahra, South Gate, California
• Ahlul-Beyt Mosque, Pomona California
• Yaseen Educational Foundation, Orange County, California
• al-Mustafa Center, Aurora, Colorado
• Lady Fatima Center, Denver Colorado
• Tawheed Center, Denver, Colorado
• al-Rasoul Masjid & Center (AMC), Lilburn, Georgia
• Jaffari Center of Atlanta, Scottdale, Georgia
• Dar-e Abbas, Lilburn, Georgia
• Khatam-Un-Nabyeen Center, Manassas, Virginia
• al-Hadi Islamic Center, Falls Church, Virginia
• Masjid al-Nabi, Chantelly, Virginia
• Imam Mahdi Center, Lorton, Virginia
• Shahe Najaf Islamic Center, Alexandria, Virginia

The advice of the religious authority has focused on five areas that are very important in addition to the statement of the importance of the religious authority in relation to imamate.

1. Preservation of unity
2. The chastity of women
3. Raising children
4. Higher education
5. Respecting the law

His Eminence referred to these very briefly in this short video.

I.M.A.M. had the honor of hosting His Eminence Shaykh Mahmoud and coordinating visits and meetings with other Islamic centers in the United States. The latter are appreciated for their good cooperation and hospitality, and for allocating time for His Eminence, despite their busy programs during the Muharram season. I.M.A.M. also had the honor of an honorary banquet for the respected guest in the Washington office, in the presence of a number of dignitaries and imams of Islamic centers. Here, some of the most important jurisprudential issues related to the West were discussed. It was a productive meeting and guests expressed appreciation to the Foundation for organizing it.

This initiative is part of the East-West Bridge project under the Hawzah (Seminary) Liason core function of IMAM. 

I.M.A.M. offers its utmost gratitude to His Eminence the Grand Ayatullah Shaykh Ishaq Al-Fayyad (may God prolong his life) for this blessed initiative and the concern for respected believers in the West by delegating his son to be among our beloved and dear believers throughout this period.  We ask God Almighty to make this visit and meetings of a great benefit and strengthen the bond between the believers and their religious authority and grant I.M.A.M. the success to provide the best of services to the believers in the West.

The post Advice from Ayatullah Shaykh Ishaq al-Fayyad to Believers in the West appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

Recently, the Jurist Representative, Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri, visited the Albuquerque in the aftermath of the targeted killings of four Shia Muslim community members. I.M.A.M. is here to support the community of believers, you are not alone, and we hope that we can come together to better all of our futures. Please reach out to us at any time with your comments, concerns, or questions.

Tel: (313) 562-4626
Email: info@imam-us.org

The post Video – We are Here for You | Albuquerque and Beyond | Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

An important question asked by parents is, how can I tell if my child is suffering from anxiety? What are the telltale signs?

A few things to keep an eye out for are physical, emotional, and behavioral changes.

Learn more with Sr. Berak Hussain in this video.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal, please reach out to the following helplines, which are confidential and available 24/7:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Use Lifeline Chat on the web

Text “HELLO” to 741741 for any type of crisis

For more information, visit: National Institute of Mental Health

Naseeha

Nisa Helpline (For Women)

The post Video – Signs of Anxiety in Children: Do You See Them? appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

Video games and social media are relatively new technologies, particularly social media, and many children cannot imagine their life without them.

How can parents determine if their child has a video game or social media addiction? There are certain signs of addiction or overuse.

Br. Ahmed Almusawi explains what they are in this video.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal, please reach out to the following helplines, which are confidential and available 24/7:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Use Lifeline Chat on the web

Text “HELLO” to 741741 for any type of crisis

For more information, visit: National Institute of Mental Health

Naseeha

Nisa Helpline (For Women)

The post Video – Telltale Signs of Video Games & Social Media Addiction appeared first on IMAM-US.org.

How can you tell if your child, specifically your adolescent child, is experiencing depression?

A parent should be on the watch for certain indications and symptoms. In this video, Sr. Berak Hussain explains what they are.

If you haven’t already, please be sure to complete our survey here.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal, please reach out to the following helplines, which are confidential and available 24/7:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Use Lifeline Chat on the web

Text “HELLO” to 741741 for any type of crisis

For more information, visit: National Institute of Mental Health

Naseeha

Nisa Helpline (For Women)

The post Video – Recognizing the Signs of Childhood & Adolescent Depression appeared first on IMAM-US.org.