Working for this life

Salaams all,

Sorry for the delay in my posting to the blog, I've been way behind on
all my emails. Fourth year is going well alhamdulillah, and interview
season is coming nearly to an end. It's nice that the business of
traveling back and forth to places to interview is over, but now I get
the worry and waiting for match day. Duas and prayers would be
appreciated from everyone. Other than that, I'm just finishing up
electives and trying to have as much fun as I can this last semester
of med school since I know I won't get this kind of a chance again.

I was having a conversation the other day with some friends and the
following hadith came up, and I thought it would be nice to share some
of the thoughts that I had about it:

"If the Hour is about to take place while any one of you has a sapling
in his hand, which he can cultivate before it takes place, let him
cultivate it for he will be rewarded for it."

What I thought was most amazing about this hadith was a slightly
different aspect of Islam that perhaps is not dealt with as much as I
think it should be. We are constantly reminded that this life is only
a test and a path towards the hereafter, which is eternal. As
muslims, we do everything in this life to gain a better position in
the afterlife. However, this hadith (and much of the Prophet (SAW)'s
life) points out that it is important to continue working for this
life in a positive way. The Prophet (SAW) did not sit in a cave all
day and pray. He was a leader, a statesman, a general, an imam, a
businessman, a father and a husband, and he is our role model for EACH
of those roles. Although we cannot hope to become perfect in each
area of life, we should strive to be the best for both this life and
the hereafter.

--Zain

ICNYU Conference: Building Momentum in Mainstream Culture

Salams-

You should register for this event: www.icnyu.org/conference

ICNYU Conference 2010: Building Momentum in Mainstream Culture
Co-sponsored by Islamic Relief

**UPDATE: Tickets are still available for Friday night

**UPDATE: The Islamic Center at NYU will be working with Islamic Relief at our upcoming conference to raise funds for the recent earthquake in Haiti. Islamic Relief has launched a $1 Million Campaign and proceeds from the conference will go towards it.

A specific main session on Saturday will be dedicated to raising funds in addition to other opportunities to support the cause, including ticket sales. Program details will be up by the end of the day inshallah.

Please keep the people of Haiti and all people who have been afflicted with tragedy and conflict in you du'aa at this time. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala forgive us and forgive all people for their shortcomings and mistakes of this world, may He grant patience, strength and perseverance

For more information on the Islamic Relief Campaign or to donate please visit www.islamicreliefusa.org/emergencies/haiti-earthquake
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The Islamic Center at New York University invites you to hear leading American Muslims engage the pressing challenges of our present and the great potentials of our future. Over a course of two days, thinkers, scholars, leaders and artists will debate, discuss and explore our embrace of the mainstream. Hosted in New York, this first of an annual series will become a critical moment on our calendars, a conference of introspection, dynamic exchange, fresh ideas and spiritual reconstruction.

For more information or to register please visit www.icnyu.org/conference
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Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Doors Open at 6pm
Sessions 6:30pm - 11:00pm

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
Doors Open at 8:30am
Sessions 9:00am - 10:00pm

New York University Kimmel Center
60 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

Early Registration Cost by January 19th, 2010: $60.50
Late Registration Cost after January 19th, 2010: $70.50

*please note that this cost includes an unavoidable $5.50 convenience fee charged by ticket central for every ticket sold
**Lunch on Saturday will be provided through NYU's Halal Catering
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Confirmed Speakers
Siraj Wahhaj
Zaid Shakir
Mokhtar Maghraoui
Ingrid Mattson
Yaser Birjas
Haroon Moghul
Khalid Latif
Musa Syeed
Madeeha Mir
Ali Reza Malik
Maryum Khawaja
Raymond Brock-Murray
Ali Shehata
G. Willow Wilson
Omar Mullick
Aman Ali
Bassam Tariq
Shahed Amanullah
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REGISTER TODAY by visiting www.icnyu.org/conference
Due to seating capacity, only the first 500 people to register will be given admission to Friday Evening's sessions

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The Islamic Center at NYU is dedicated to fostering a sense of awareness, activism and scholarship amongst the Muslim community both on and off campus.

For more information about our clubs, events, staff and podcasts, please visit: http://www.icnyu.org/
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The Islamic Center at NYU
What Community Should Feel Like

Salaam From Gerald

I dont have a lot of time to say what I really want to say so I'll try to do as well as I can. First of all, many things have occured as of late to make me think about the many blessings of this world that I can should be thankful for and as of late many things have reminded me of the things that I have taken for granted over time, time being one of the most glaring. The finite nature of time is the one guarentee that we do have in this life and I have realized several times over I have not used my time as beneficially as I could have. I recently returned from an extended trip to visit a sick relative so much of this message has been delayed but I think it still has a place.

You are all my brothers and I love you for the sake of Allah. I was married this year and had a son, through those events my brothers have been there for me and i really appreciate that. whether you were there in person or just wanted to be there, you were there for me. If you made dua for me and my family or had the intention to make duas for my family you were there for me. When I was dealing with situations that brought distress on me you all were with me.

I just want to say thank you for your love and generosity and my family does as well. I know at times I can be aloof or absentminded but please understand that does not reflect my apreciation and admiration of the brotherhood we have created.

thank you again and insha' ill be seeing you all soon. Included are some pics of Musa Nasir Rasheed