September 2007 Online Newsletter
Gamma News
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Dr. Althia F. Ali
President and Executive Director
Dear Friends:As salamu alaikum
Ramadan is expected to begin on September 12. The start of Ramadan is always a very important time for me, like millions of other Muslims. In the month of Shaban, which precedes Ramadan, similar to many other believers, I take time to prepare for the coming month of fasting. I make a serious attempt to acknowledge and correct any errors I have made since the last Ramadan, I seek forgiveness from those
whom I may have injured, forgive those who have injured me, make extra prayers and duahs, and seek the favor of Allah as often as I can in as many ways as I can.
To be sure, living in this dunyah (world) is difficult even under normal circumstances. When the our lives become complicated, the challenge increases. As believers, we are constantly reminded that we must hold fast to our deen (religion) even when others around us are trying to hurt us. We cannot lose sight of the fact that this life is but a test, and that the guidance of the Qur'an gives us constant reminders of how best to handle circumstances that threaten to destroy us both in this world and in the hereafter.
When we are faced with difficult circumstances, that is when we are truly tested. It's easy to be on good behavior when times are good; when the going gets rough, however, the true test of our faith and our practice of that faith comes front and center for us and others to see.
Our sorority is the first Islamic-based sorority. As a social and community service sorority, our mission is to promote a positive image for Muslim women and Islam in general. We have endured some difficult times as we have worked to build our sorority into one that is on equal footing with existing sororities. As is the promise of the Qur'an, after difficulties, we have enjoyed ease, al-humdulillah. Without exception, our members say that they have learned from the difficulties experienced, and the experiences have helped to inform actions as we have moved forward.
This Ramadan, we intend to be very active in the communities where we have chapters. Our sorors in the Washington, DC; Philadelphia; Chicago; Atlanta; and Greensboro, NC metro areas have planned many activities to celebrate Ramadan and to serve others. We are all excited as we prepare for Ramadan, and we are dedicated to being positive examples of Muslim women—not in spite of the difficulties that we face, but because of them—during Ramadan and beyond.
Sincerely,
Dr. Althia F. Ali
President and Executive Director
Soror Avis Muhammad Shares Recent Trip Experiences
Delta Chapter Member Avis MuhammadLast month, Soror Avis Muhammad enjoyed several days visiting Turkey, the Greek Isles, and Italy with her family. She shares her experiences with us:
Praises are due to Allah for my safe return!
While in Turkey, I visited several mosques, along with the famous Grand Bazaar and a Turkish Rug factory. It was a wonderful experience to be in an Islamic environment. The vendors that I purchased souvenirs from gave me notable discounts, all because I am Muslim.
The Greek Isles were lovely with palm trees and lots of hot weather. I'm told the weather gets as hot as 118 degrees. I am walking around with a great tan right now ;-). I visited the Acropolis, which included Olympia and Athens. Also, I visited the Isles of Rhodes, and Los Lindos. I saw all of the major ruins (Olympia, Parthenon/Katydids and the Temple of Olympian, Zeus). In addition, I visited a couple of museums. Greece has lovely olive trees everywhere! I had an authentic Greek meal at a very nice restaurant.
Finally, I toured Italy, which is just beautiful. I ate pizza and ice cream and drank cappuccino at a quaint restaurant in Luvorno. Also, I visited Florence and Tuscany. I saw Mt. Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii. We flew into Roma (Rome), which I visited the year before last on my Mediterranean cruise.
With all of that, I thank Allah for bringing my family and me home safely.
Beta Chapter Set to Raise Funds with Glamour Shots Activity
Beta Chapter Members (L-R: front row: Sayeeda Samie, Kesha Abdul-Mateen; middle row: Mischelle Moody, Juina Carter, Amina Copeland-Khokhar; back row: Sumaiyah Yates, Yasmine Marquis. Not pictured: Narmin Anwar and Tasmim Anwar
________________________________________________Beta Chapter is planning a Glamour Shots fundraiser, tentatively scheduled for October 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Individuals can purchase a session for $10 without makeup prep, or $25 if they want the studio to do their makeup. The session must be purchased in advance and the fee is non-refundable. Participants are then able to select and purchase whatever packages they desire from Glamour Shots. The session fee goes to the Chapter. The chapter has no input in the cost of the picture packages, nor does it receive any proceeds from the sale of packages.
Epsilon Chapter To Hold First Annual Iftar and Canned Food Drive
Epsilon Chapter Members (L-R:) Rasheeda Khalifa, Coniqua Abdul-Malik, Ameenah Muhammad, Marsha Komara, Hajah Komara-DonzoThe sorors of Epsilon Chapter (Philadelphia Metro area) are planning their first fundraiser and food drive set for September 15.
Members are asking all sisters who attend to participate in the Empty Bowl project, which requires an $8 donation. Participants will paint soup bowls that, along with the non-perishable food items that are collected, will be donated as sadaqah to the Food Bank of South Jersey. The Food Bank then sells the bowls to raise funds to assist them in their efforts to fill the “empty bowls” of the hungry in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem Counties. After painting the empty bowls, participants are invited to stay and paint another piece of their choice. The usual $8 sitting fee will be waived for this fundraiser.
Additional information is available at their website >>
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Alpha Chapter Members (L-R): Rasheeda Salaam, Wakilat Kasumu
and Christi Bristol BeyMembers of Alpha Chapter To Participate in
Muhammad Ali 5K Road RaceMembers of Alpha Chapter (Atlanta metro area) plan to participate in the September 8 Muhammad Ali 5K Road Race, a "Race for Education" that supports Mohammed schools of Atlanta. Participants become sponsors by participating as runners or walkers and by enlisting the help of other sponsors who make donations to the participants on behalf of the schools. Additional information is available from: wkasumu@gammagammachi.org , rsalaam@gammagammachi.org, and cbristolbey@gammagammachi.org.
Gamma Gamma Chi Establishes Two New Partnerships
To Help Raise Funds for Sorority
President and Executive Director Dr. Althia F. Ali announced the establishment of two separate, new partnerships between Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc. with Macy's and SunTrust Bank. Insha'Allah, these partnerships will help the sorority raise funds for programs and operations.
"We are very excited to be among the non-profit organizations to participate in Macy's Shop for a Cause and SunTrust Bank's My Cause programs," said Dr. Ali. "We rely strictly on dues revenue and donor gifts, and insha'Allah this gives us an opportunity to expand our funding base and to offer programs that will benefit our donors while also benefiting our sorority and our partner institutions. Currently only two chapters are participating (National Grand Chapter and Beta Chapter); however, we hope that other chapters will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and bring dollars to their chapters. "
Here's how the My Cause relationship works: From August 6 through October 12, clients who open a new SunTrust Personal or Business Checking account, accept a new SunTrust Visa® Check Card, make any purchase using the card, and complete and submit an online redemption form by November 15, 2007, can either choose for SunTrust to donate $100 to their favorite nonprofit organization or to receive a $50 gift card to keep for their own cause.For more information about My Cause and how to support GGChi, please visit their website.
The Shop for a Cause relationship is comprised of sorors selling discount tickets for $5 each, which the sorority keeps. Shoppers then can enjoy a day of 10% or 20% discounts on everything that they buy on Saturday, October 13. (Some exclusions apply are and detailed on Macy's website.)
For more information about Macy's Shop for a Cause and how to support GGChi, please visit their website. To purchase discount coupons, please contact us:
Beta Chapter -Yasmin Marquis, Fundraising Chairperson
PLEASE HELP US TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND SERVE
Delta Chapter Member Dionne Muhammad, JDSoror Walks for Breast Cancer
Additional information is available here >>
Delta Chapter Member Sherice MuhammadSoror Sherice A. Muhammad (Delta Chapter) is now the Special Events Manager for the Chicago Urban League and Chairman of the Board for Metropolitan Area Group for Igniting Civilization (MAGIC), assisted with the production of the first and only mature teen talk show in Chicago, MAGIC Teen Talk Chicago. The show is an hour segment featuring teens that produce, research and report news and editorials in the areas of education, technology, entertainment, science and current events.
Muslim Monthly Wisdom
“If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?”
The people said, “No filth would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (SAW) then said, “That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.”
Hadith in Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim
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