eLajna Times 2nd Issue

My Dear Sisters, 
Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatohu!
As I welcome you to the 2^nd issue of eLajna Times, I pray that you and your near and dear ones are in the best of health. 

The occasion of Eid-ul-Adhiyya is a reminder of the highest level of obedience, submission and sacrifices that Hadhrat Ibrahim, Hadhrat Hajra and Hadhrat Ismaeel demonstrated solely to win the pleasure of Allah Almighty.  Eid-ul-Adhiyya is therefore a celebration of these Islamic values and reminds all Muslims to sacrifice something they love as an example of genuine surrender to the Will of Allah.

On the eve of Eid-ul-Adhiyya, let us pledge to sacrifice one bad habit and replace it with one good habit. One example would be to give up a few hours of TV/shopping and replacing it with offering our Salat at the appointed times.  Another example would be to sacrifice one unhealthy habit and replace it with one healthy habit (example – give up soda and replace it with water). These two sacrifices will lead to a healthy mind, body and spirit, Insha Allah. 

Jazak Allah Ahsanal Jaza to Lajna Ima'illah-USA for their readiness and willingness to make financial sacrifices for the sake of Ahmadiyyat.  Most recently, Lajna and nasirat donated towards the Qadian Lajna Hall, Khilafat Centenary Fund, Children Eid Gift Fund and other fund raising activities. May Allah reward each and every one of you abundantly for your generosity!

 Please access the website at this URL:  http://www.lajnausa.net.  We hope to have all the pages populated before the New Year 2010, Insha Allah.  The Lajna website should serve as a great resource of information and communication – whether you are interested in benefitting from our publications (such as Lajna Matters or Ayesha magazine) or need resources for Taleem and Tarbiyat homework, or would like to share your talent and skills with other sisters or just keep current with activities of Lajna and Nasirat in various regions!

If you have any questions regarding the new lajna website, please contact sister Mabroor Jattala at it@lajnausa.net. Your feedback and comments will be appreciated.

 JazakAllah to representatives and observers from all USA Majaalis, regional sadrs, national amila members and most of all, members of the hosting majlis, Detroit, for their hard work and contributions for the National Majlis-e-Shura 2009 that was held from October 30^th to November 1^st.  I’m continuing to receive many positive comments and feedback from members across the country.  Alhamdolillah! It was a productive weekend and with Allah’s Grace and Mercy, it exceeded all expectations! 

If you know of a sister who did not receive this communication, please forward it to her and remind her to contact her local sadr/tajnid secretary with her updated/accurate email address. 

Through out the past 6 years, our beloved Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) has advised us to keep our focus on prayers and Salat.  Hazur (aba)’s first words of advice to the entire Jama’at (in 2003) were “Du'aon pay zaur dayn, du'aon pay zaur dayn, du'aon pay zaur dayn.”  i.e., place great emphasis on prayers.  In this regard, Hazur has reminded every Ahmadi, young and old, that if they are lagging in observing Salat, they will not meet the standards prescribed for righteous people.

My Dear Sisters, let us celebrate Eid-ul-Adhiyya and start the New Year with a solemn promise to become more watchful over our Salat, so that our prayers becomes a shield against behaviors that take us away from Allah and His people.  May Allah Almighty accept our humble and sincere efforts as we strive to come closer to Him, Ameen.

Shanaz Butt 
Sadr, Lajna Ima'illah - USA
11/11/09