Nursing Your Baby Naturally:: Sisters' Workshop!

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem

The Rahmah Foundation Proudly Presents:

Nursing Your Baby Naturally

with

Sister Hoda Shawky, RN, CPNP, CLEC

Ust. Shamira Chothia Ahmed, MA, CLEC

Sunday March 27th, 2011

11am - 3pm

Islamic Center of Irvine (ICOI) Masjid

Upstairs classroom

2 TRUMAN STREET

IRVINE, CA 92620

- www.icoi.net -

Cost: Free!

Register Today!! Click Here!

In this educational and inspiring workshop, Sister Hoda & Ustadha Shamira, certified lactation educators and counselors, will be covering all the various aspects of breastfeeding your newborn to toddler, touching upon:

• Why breast is best
• The science and miracle of breastfeeding (how we produce and sustain our milk supply)
• Positioning of the baby onto the breast
• Is my baby getting enough milk?
• Planning for breastfeeding success
• Nutrition, contraception, and medications: what Mommy needs to know
• When Mommy's away: pumping milk and returning to work/school
• Common medical concerns and myths
• Tapping into local resources and support systems
• Islam and breastfeeding
  

...and much more! This class is open to all sisters interested in learning about breastfeedomg and what our Islamic tradition mentions regarding this beautiful stage and experience in a woman's life. Everyone is welcome to attend! Sisters only!

Jazakum-Allah khayrun and please spread the word!!

www.therahmahfoundation.org

Don't forget to Register Today for this free event!

Natural Childbirth in Islam Series: Irvine, CA

Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem

Please mark your calendars!!

The Rahmah Foundation proudly presents:

A Four Week Mini-Series for Sisters

with
Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed!!

Natural Childbirth in Islam
Mondays, Thursdays @ 6:00-7:00pm

January 4th, 11th, 18th, 28th, Feb 4th, 2010!!

At: Islamic Center of Irvine (ICOI) Masjid

Upstairs sisters' classroom

- www.icoi.net -

2 TRUMAN STREET

IRVINE, CA 92620

In this four week series, Ustadha Shamira Ahmed will be covering what natural childbirth is in our Islamic tradition, touching upon pregnancy exercises and du'aas, relaxation techniques during labor, good nutrition, stages of labor and delivery and much more! This class is open to all sisters interested in learning about pregnancy, delivery and what our Islamic tradition mentions regarding this beautiful stage and experience in a woman's life. Everyone is welcome to attend! Sisters only!

Class 4: Thursday, January 28th:

Topics to be covered, inshaAllah:

• Releasing of fears, increasing confidence & trust in self & in our Creator (s.w.t)
• Stages of Labor - emotional/physical indicators
• Relaxation positions for first stage
• Second stage of labor discussion
• Mental/physical/emotional relaxation
• Birth Plan preferences
• Reflection/Du'as

Class 5: Thursday, Feb. 4th:

Topics to be covered, insha'Allah:

• Post-natal care
• Sunnahs of birth
• Breastfeeding in our tradition
• Practical tips
• "Best Gift to Baby"

Class 6: Thursday, Feb. 11th: TENTATIVE (if needed)

Please remember us in your du'aas

Jazakum-Allah khayrun and please spread the word!!

www.therahmahfoundation.org

Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley presents:

The Real Ticket to Popularity


An event for girls (10 yrs old - college aged)

with Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Saturday March 28th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at ICSGV
19164 E Walnut Dr N, Rowland Heights, CA 91748


Ever wonder what the hype is all about trying to be cool and be accepted by your friends and/or classmates? What does it really mean to be popular and what is the result of it? Being a Muslimah in the West, it may sometimes seem difficult to reconcile our deen (religion) and fitting into society -- is there a solution to this? Can we do both successfully, and how? In this motivating sisters-only talk, Ustadha Shamira brings these important issues that face our youth to light and creates a forum for open discussion and thought-provoking questions


Please join us to explore the concept of popularity -- concerning our relationship with Allah the Almighty,
and with our fellow human beings.

For more information: Call (626) 262 1288

Or visit the online invitation here: www.socializr.com/event/941836916

The Muslim Student Association of UC Davis presents:

Returning to Allah: Mercy & Forgiveness and Balancing between Hope & Fear

As part of MSA's Tazkiya Month, this sisters-only event is taught by:

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Friday, February 6, 2009, 7 PM

Room: Olson 205 @ UC Davis

The Almighty says, "O you who believe! Turn in sincere repentance to Allah." (66:8)

The Almighty says, "Your Lord is swift in retribution, and He is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (7:167); The Seal of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, said "The Garden (al-Jannah) is nearer to you than your own sandal strap and it is the same with the Fire." (Bukhari)

Ever wonder about forgiveness? In this motivating talk, Ustadha Shamira will discuss the essence of tawbah, balancing between hope and fear, and the importance of striving for the Eternal Pleasure of God the Almighty. In addition, Ustadha Shamira will discuss the importance of seeking forgiveness and how to practically incorporate this important part of our Deen into our daily lives.

This event is free and open to all interested sisters. Please join us!

The Rahmah Foundation Dec 20th Event!

Insha'Allah you've enjoyed and benefited greatly from last month's two-day seminar "Embodying the Sunnah: A Sisters' Guide to Inspiration" with Ustadha Eiman Sidky, Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed and Ustadha Rania Awaad. Alhamdulillah we are blessed to have another amazing sisters' seminar this month that is not to be missed!

The Rahmah Foundation presents:
Reflections on Life & The Afterlife
with Ustadha Rania Awaad, Ustadha Mona Elzankaly & Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
Saturday, December 20th, 9:45am--4:00pm

631 Jackson St. Hayward, CA 94544
Cost: $25

Register by emailing: programs@therahmahfoundation.org

Please share with other sisters who might be interested!!

www.therahmahfoundation.org

Lecture Topics:

Waking Up To The True Reality: Distinguishing Between The Means & The Goal
In this talk Ustadha Mona will discuss the reality of this world, and the veils that keep us from realizing our true purpose in life. Distinguishing between the means, that help us on our path to God, and The Goal, which is returning to Him, Glorious is He, pleased with us, is very imperative in our every day life. Simple advice will be given on how to keep things in perspective and to rectify our intention with God Most High.

Traveling the Path to Allah: Forgiveness and Intercession
Ever wonder about forgiveness? Ustadha Rania will discuss in detail the Hadith: "When God brought creation into existence, He wrote upon His Throne, 'My mercy overtakes My wrath.' She will discuss the importance of seeking forgiveness and share practical measures of how to seek forgiveness in order to incorporate this important part of our Deen into our daily lives. Lastly, she will bring to light the concept of intercession- an amazing gift given by Allah to His Beloved, the Prophet may peace and blessings be upon him, on behalf of his entire Ummah.

Living Between Hope & Fear:
Fear makes us careful in avoiding sin, while hope makes us diligent to follow after righteousness and is a motivator to do good.
The Almighty says, "Your Lord is swift in retribution, and He is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (7:167); The Seal of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, said "The Garden (al-Jannah) is nearer to you than your own sandal strap and it is the same with the Fire." (Bukhari)
In this motivating talk Ustadha Shamira will discuss the reality of trusting in Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful's) Mercy, yet at the same time fearing His punishment. The eternal abodes of Heaven and Hell will be narratively illustrated, and the diametrically opposite qualities of hope and fear in God will be discussed. Practical applications will be shared in order to create a balanced outlook on life, and emphasis laid on the importance of striving for the Eternal Pleasure of God the Almighty.


About the Teachers (in alphabetical order):

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
Born and raised in Northern California, Shamira Chothia Ahmed is an emerging young female scholar of the traditional Islamic sciences. Her studies led her to seek sacred knowledge from scholars on three continents — Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In England she completed the five-year, traditional alimah (Islamic studies) program, studied the ahadith collection of the Sihah Sittah and received her ijaazah (authorization) in Sahih al-Bukhari with renowned Hanafi scholars. Thereafter, Ustadha Shamira was able to continue her studies for six months in Damascus, Syria where she obtained an ijaazah in tajwid of the Hafs recitation from the eminent Syrian scholar, Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition, she furthered her Arabic studies at the Abu-Noor Institute and took classes in fiqh, aqidah (creed) and sirah (prophetic history) at Damascus's Masjid Zaid. Upon returning to the U.S. in 2005, she was granted the opportunity to be an instructor of Hanafi fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California. Privately, she taught fiqh, tajwid and Qur'anic tafsir (exegesis). She recently earned her Master's degree in Demographics and Social Analysis from the University of California at Irvine with her focus on the identity formation of the Muslim-American population. Ustadha Shamira gives lectures across the U.S. and currently teaches shariah sciences to women in the Southern California region.

Ustadha Rania Awaad
Raised in the U.S., Rania began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria at the age of 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school and college studies. She was honored to receive Ijaazah (authorization to teach) several branches of the Shari'ah sciences at the hands of many renowned scholars, including many female scholars. She has received Ijaazah to teach Tajwid in both the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the eminent Syrian scholar, Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition completing several advanced texts of the Shafi'i madhhab, she is also licensed to teach texts of Maliki fiqh, Adab and Ihsan. Currently, she is completing a medical degree intended to compliment her in-depth study of female-specific fiqh issues. Her medical interests include addressing mental health care concerns in the Muslim community- particularly that of Muslim women. Other on-going endeavors include the compilation of a manual addressing female-related medical issues from a fiqh-oriented perspective and a manual on raising Muslim children in the West. She is both a wife and mother and has lectured, taught and counseled women extensively. Ustadha Rania has been teaching classes on Tajwid, Shafi'i Fiqh, Ihsan, marriage and raising children since 1999.

Ustadha Mona Elzankaly
Born in Cairo, raised in Moreno Valley, California, a graduate of the University of California Riverside, Mona Elzankaly began seeking sacred knowledge at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward CA. There she has studied with many eminent scholars, such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Khatri, and Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi. In 2001, she joined Fajr center in Cairo, Egypt to complete a year-long program in Arabic. In 2002, Mona returned to the Zaytuna Institute where she studied full time with Shaykh Salik b. Siddina several texts in Maliki fiqh, creed, Hadith and the inward science. In 2004 Mona traveled to Damascus, Syria to continue her studies with a focus on Qur'an. While in Damascus, she obtained an Ijaazah to teach Tajwid in the Hafs style from Shaykh Shukry Luhafi. She has also obtained Ijaazah upon hearing the complete recitation of Sahih al-Bukhari, and Muwatta al-Imam Malik from Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi. In 2008, she completed the four year Zaytuna Seminary pilot program and received a baccalaureate degree in Islamic Studies. Mona has also attended the Dawra programs in Tarim Yemen where she had the opportunity to both study and teach at Dar al-Zahra. Mona has previously taught Maliki fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute, and currently teaches Islamic sciences privately.

Irvine Sisters' Classes

Prophetic Moral Guidance
for Daily Living
-Sisters' Classes-

Reflections on Prophetic traditions

Presented by: Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed

Venue: Islamic Center of Irvine (ICOI)- Multi-purpose Room

Date: Monday evenings (starting January 5th, 2009)

Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm

When our bodies are hungry we nourish it with food, but when our souls are hungry, what should we do? Unite with fellow sisters led by Ustadha Shamira and soak in the wisdom and beauty of the beloved of the Almighty, the Prophet Muhammah (p.b.u.h)! This weekly inspiring course will teach you how to practically apply and recharge yourself spiritually by using the best model of creation, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), and provide a roadmap to help achieve closeness to our Lord.

Topics such as sincerity, repentance, steadfastness, truthfulness, and spiritually striving in the path of the Almighty will be discussed. Texts to be used: Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous) by Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, and Provisions for the Seekers by Shaykh 'Ashiq Ilahi al-Bulandshehri.

Come Prepared to Stroll in the Gardens of the Righteous!!

Skype Daroos for Spanish Speaking Sisters

Class Announcement:
tendremos clase con la hermana shamira Martes 25 de Noviembre. alas 12:45 hora de california,2:45 pm hora Mexco y 9:45 pm hora espanola en skype. espero verlas hermanitas y beneficiarnos en conocimeinto insha allah! las hermanitas q no tengan skype(www.skype.com)dowload, me peuden agregar(....)ALLAH las bendiga! mucho

Ustada Shamira
Maestra en las ciencias Islamicas tradicionales. Ha estudiado islam en 3 diferentes continentes entre ellos el sur de Africa,Europa e inglaterra donde completo sus estudios islamicos y recibio su iyaza(permiso de ensenar)en sahi al bujari . mas tarde en Siria donde estudio tajuid Ensena fiqh, hadith, tajuid entre otras ciencias islamicas ensenaba en la comunidad de San francisco Zaytuna.org
Ahora se encuentra en sud de California ayudando ala comunidad de Estados Unidos.

The Rahmah Foundation Nov. 2008 event!

The Rahmah Foundation is pleased to announce a special two-day program for women on Saturday, November 29th and Sunday, November 30th! Our main speaker, Ustadha Eiman Sidky, is an amazing teacher whose love for Allah and the Prophet, peace be upon him, shines forth as she brings the seerah of our Beloved Prophet to life. She will take us on an intimate tour of the amazing life of our Beloved Prophet and his extraordinary wives, the Ummuhatul Mumineen. In addition, we are blessed to have talks by our guest speakers, Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed and Ustadha Rania Awaad. Each of these teachers is a blessing in her own right, combined, we are sure to find tremendous benefit and blessings inshaAllah.

Program Details:

Embodying the Sunnah: A Sisters' Guide to Inspiration
November 29-30th, 10:00am--6:00pm
631 Jackson St. in Hayward, Ca 94544
Cost for both days: $40

Please share with other sisters who might be interested!

JazakumAllahu khayrun!!

An email from a sister:

Assalamu alaikum sisters. I think many of you might have heard of this program but i just wanted to send out a reminder and let you guys know that it is happening in two weeks. All of the teachers are, mashallah, amazing in their own right and i can say that from being around them before. But i specifically wanted to recommend Ustadah Eiman Sidky. I had attended her class on the seera of the prophet Mohammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam and subhan allah, i have never had seera in that manner. It is as if she has been there and is narrating what she has just experienced. I think i don't even have the words to describe the way she brings the blessed seera. You just have to attend it to experience it.

Tawfiq inshallah,

Manija.

For tickets, either:

CALL 510-868-8318 where you can leave a message and an event organizer will return your call.
EMAIL You can also reserve your space by emailing programs@therahmahf oundation. org. Please provide the names of attendees and contact information, along with attached registration form.
MAIL Send your registration form (attached) to:
Rahmah Foundation

21001 San Ramon Valley Blvd., A4-186

San Ramon, Ca 94583

IN PERSON

The Rahmah Foundation is an independent, educational organization that is committed to continuously designing retreats and educational programs that will address topics unique to Muslim women. Through the centuries, Muslims have preserved and protected the Quran and Sunnah through the rigorous Ijaza system of scholarly licensure and certification. The Rahmah Foundation realizes the critical need to safeguard Islam from extremism and deviation and thus commits itself to selecting thoroughly qualified teachers--women who have studied and trained to meet exact criteria in both their knowledge and practice--to disseminate sacred knowledge to the rest of our sisters.

Islamic Association of Colling County present:

Seeking Sacred Knowledge
"My Lord, increase me in knowledge." Quran 20:114

Lecture and Q/A session

A sisters-only event taught by:

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Monday, November 17th, 11:00am.
in the Ladies Section (Upstairs) at the Plano Masjid.

Born and raised in Northern California, Shamira Chothia Ahmed is an emerging young female scholar of the traditional Islamic sciences. Her studies led her to seek sacred knowledge from scholars on three continents — Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Upon receiving ijaazas (authorizations) to teach from renowned scholars in various Islamic disciplines, she was granted the opportunity to be an instructor of Hanafi fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California. Privately, she taught fiqh (jurisprudence), tajwid (cantillation) and Qur'anic tafsir (exegesis). She recently earned her MA in Demographics and Social Analysis from the University of California at Irvine, and currently teaches shariah sciences to women in the Southern California region.

This event is free and open to all interested sisters. Please join us!
See attached flier. Please forward widely.

Islamic Association of North Texas Presents

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
A Visiting Scholar from California

For a special Sisters Only Halaqa on

Balancing Between Hope & Fear

On Tuesday, November 18th 2008 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
IANT Sisters Musalla, 2nd Floor
(840 Abrams. Rd, Richardson, TX 75081)


Born and raised in Northern California, Shamira Chothia Ahmed is an emerging young female scholar of the traditional Islamic sciences. Her studies led her to seek sacred knowledge from scholars on three continents — Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Upon receiving ijaazas (authorizations) to teach from renowned scholars in various Islamic disciplines, she was granted the opportunity to be an instructor of Hanafi fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California. Privately, she taught fiqh (jurisprudence), tajwid (cantillation) and Qur'anic tafsir (exegesis). She recently earned her MA in Demographics and Social Analysis from the University of California at Irvine, and currently teaches shariah sciences to women in the Southern California region.



All sisters are welcome and encouraged to bring other sisters to this one time special event!

Boston Sisters' Dars

* * * * *

Harvard Islamic Society and Bukhari Institute present:

Seeking Sacred Knowledge
"My Lord, increase me in knowledge." Quran 20:114

A sisters-only event taught by:

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Saturday November 1st, 1 to 4 p.m.
in the Harvard Musalla, in the basement of Canaday E*

Born and raised in Northern California, Shamira Chothia Ahmed is an emerging young female scholar of the traditional Islamic sciences. Her studies led her to seek sacred knowledge from scholars on three continents — Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Upon receiving ijaazas (authorizations) to teach from renowned scholars in various Islamic disciplines, she was granted the opportunity to be an instructor of Hanafi fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California. Privately, she taught fiqh (jurisprudence), tajwid (cantillation) and Qur'anic tafsir (exegesis). She recently earned her MA in Demographics and Social Analysis from the University of California at Irvine, and currently teaches shariah sciences to women in the Southern California region.

This event is free and open to all interested sisters. Please join us!
See attached flier. Please forward widely.
*map to the Harvard Musalla: http://map.harvard.edu/level3.cfm?mapname=camb_allston&tile=F7&quadrant=B&series=NW

Sisters' classes in Garden Grove, CA.

Assalamu Alaykum WB,

Islamic Society of Orange County would like to invite all Sisters to a
Mothers of the Believers class series with Ustadha Shamira Chothia,
Please feel free to fwd to your Mothers, Wives & Sisters
We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sisters' only conference in Santa Clara, CA, April 21st!

http://www.mca-sfba.org/womens-conference-registration.aspx

Upcoming Bay Area Event:

ALIM Summer Program

Upcoming Deen Intensive!!