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لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Tragic Events in Orlando

As-Salaamu Alaikum Dear Brothers and Sisters,

All of us are saddened and appalled by the tragic shootings at a night club in Orlando early this morning. Regardless of the reason, no one has a right to kill other human beings in this manner. Such a horrific act is doubly painful when the perpetrator of such an act calls himself a Muslim. We totally condemn all such acts. May God Almighty grant peace to innocent victims and their families, and May He Guide us all. Ameen.

I have been in touch with local law enforcement authorities. They assure me that the shooter had no connection with Jacksonville and that there is no need for us to station additional police officers at ICNEF. As we have every night, there will be two uniformed police officers stationed in front of ICNEF to help our people cross the street, and if needed for any other reason. As usual, we will have a uniformed private security guard stationed in the church parking lot across ICNEF. The law enforcement authorities have assured that they will advise me if they see the need for us to take any additional steps in this regard.

Br. Naeem Haider contacted me this morning and asked me if it would be a good idea for us to arrange for blood donations at ICNEF after Maghreb prayers this evening? I thought it was a very good idea and requested him to contact the Blood Bank, which he did. He has advised me that there are long lines of people in front of all the blood donation centers in the City and they will make every effort to send a blood mobile to the ICNEF this evening, if possible. We are going to block off the paved parking area in front of the school portable buildings (in front of the tents used to serve food to Men) for the Bloodmobile, if it becomes available.

We are most grateful for everyone’s cooperation with the parking situation. Parking on the ICNEF premises is limited only to those with Handicap decals and those having a Special Needs Permit from ICNEF Office, and ladies coming to ICNEF unaccompanied by any male member of the family. All others must park in the church parking lot, on the left side of their parking lot. These rules will continue to be enforced at the time of Magreb and Ish’a prayers and for Friday prayers throughout Ramadan. We are indeed blessed as a community that Allah SWT keeps on sending more Muslims to our beautiful city. Last night we had more than 700 people for “Aftaar” and another few hundred who came for Ish’a prayers later on. This was the largest number of people that we have ever had at ICNEF during Ramadan. May Allah SWT accept everyone’s prayers, and hard work of all those who have dedicated themselves to serving those who come to the Islamic Center. Ameen.

If there are any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Jazakum Allahu Khairun,

ICNEF Chairman
Ashraf Shaikh
Cell: 904.629.3822