السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته 

Dear Community Members,

We as a community have been watching the unfolding events throughout the U.S. in recent days with shock and sadness.  The protests across numerous U.S. cities, including Atlanta, and in many cities around the world show the extent of the pain, frustration, and anger with the unfortunate status quo of inequality, racism, and injustice. These events were triggered by the alarming death of George Floyd, but remembering Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, Steven Taylor, and Yassin Mohamed, we know that this issue is much deeper than just one incident.

Did you know that getting shot by the police is now a leading cause of death for Black men and boys in the U.S.? 

For many years, we have witnessed and mourned the murders of these innocent Black lives violently taken by police brutality and white supremacism. The names above add to the long list of Black lives taken over the years with little or no accountability due to institutional racism and systematic oppression. 

The management of East Cobb Islamic Center recognizes anti-Black racism as a serious threat and condemns all forms of anti-Black violence. We take this opportunity to express our love and solidarity with our Black and African-American sisters and brothers, both within and outside our community. 

As a community, it is not enough for us to simply verbally condemn anti-Black racism. We must take action as well - starting with honestly acknowledging that racism and bigotry exist within our community as well, going against the teachings of Islam and basic human rights. In a study by the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative on Intra-Muslim Ethnic Relations, 59% of participants reported experiences of ethnic or racial discrimination from other Muslims. 

“Oh, you who believe! Be persistently standing firm in justice!” [Quran 4:135] Let us fulfill our duty as Muslims and compassionate human beings by standing together in solidarity with our Black and African-American sisters and brothers by fulfilling these actions: 
 

• Educate ourselves and our families about the injustices within many of our systems - many policies related to education, voting rights, economics, incarceration, and more are in place to oppress Black communities (see list of resources here).

• Recognize and reject any racist notions we see and hear, especially those that are anti-Black - whether it is within or outside of our homes.

• Watch documentaries such as UnMosqued with family and engage in discussions on how to actively make the community welcoming to everyone.

• Vote for candidates who will fight on behalf of the community to change discriminatory policies, fight for prison reform, and abolish police brutality.

• Hold our employers accountable for speaking out against racial injustice, if they haven’t already (see this template to get started).

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته 

Dear ECIC Community Members,

ECIC is open for daily Salah for adult males between the age group of 18 to 60 only starting from tomorrow 1st June 2020 from Fajr salah.

Given below are the guidelines that ECIC will be adopting to ensure that our community members are safe while conduct the daily congregation salah.

1) Any male community member between the ages of 18 to 60 is welcome to attend the daily salah.
2) Masjid doors will open 5 mintutes before the salah and will close after the fard salah.
3) Musallee are expected to perform the Sunnah and Nawafil at home.
4) Bathroom and wudoo areas are closed so PLEASE do your wudu AT HOME.
5) Please bring your own prayer mats and pray at the marked spots in the masjid.
6) Wear your face mask all the time while you are in the masjid.
7) Avoid touching any surfaces while in the masjid.
8) Avoid gathering in groups inside or outside the masjid.
9) If you develop any Covid-19 symptoms before the salah please DO NOT come to the masjid
10)  If you develop any Covid-19 symptoms after the salah please inform Br Mohsin or Br Amer so that we can inform others.

Jzk,

EC

Assalamu Alaikum,

Hope you are well by the grace of Allah SWT. ECIC just launched a YouTube channel. Please check it out and subscribe. 

JZK.