At 4 p.m. Nov. 7, the Nur-Allah Islamic Center will present our 29th Annual Parents Appreciation Banquet in the Gathertorium of Martin University, 2186 N. Sherman Drive.
This is a time to honor all parents, whether they are Muslim, Christian, Jewish or of another faith tradition. The sacred role of parenting must be assured by all in our society. It is one of the major cornerstones that uphold our spiritual and social life.
The main speaker is Imam Ali Aqeel, the resident Imam of a mosque in Nashville, Tennessee. Imam Aqeel is the president of the Muslim American Cultural.
The guest speaker is Rev. Danny Q. Davis, the pastor at Christians United Church in Indianapolis.
The Nur-Allah Jazz Ensemble, featuring Judge David Shaheed on trumpet, will provide the entertainment for the evening, which promises to be a warm and fun-filled evening in which the honorable role of parent will be uplifted, cherished and venerated.
Allah says in His Holy Qur’an, sura (chapter) 17: ayat (verse) 23, “Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.”
The sacred text of the Bible speaks highly of parents in Exodus 20:12: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Prophet Muhammed, prayers and peace be upon him, always exalted the role of parenting. On one of many occasions the prophet spoke highly of parenting. Once when asked by his companion, Abdullah, “Which deed is loved most by Allah?” he replied, “To offer prayers at their early (very first) stated times.” Abdullah asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” The Prophet said, “To be good and dutiful to one’s parents.”
Muslim American leader Imam W. Deen Mohammed, the son of Elijah Muhammad, believes that this concept of honoring parents should be a nationwide celebration. In 2005 he said, “This is a wonderful occasion that I wish we could have in the whole of the United States. If not an event like this, if it was just 60 seconds to recognize parents it would help our families throughout these United States.”
We pray that you, our readers, can join us at our 29th Annual Parents Appreciation Banquet. For ticket information please visit our website at nurallah.org, or call 317-753-3754.
We welcome your questions and comments. Please submit them to Al-Islam in America, C/O Imam Mikal Saahir, Nur-Allah Islamic Center, 830 N. Mitthoefer Rdoad, Indianapolis, IN, 46229. Or email is nur-allah@att.net.
Michael “Mikal” Saahir is the resident Imam of Nur-Allah Islamic Center. He can be reached at nur-allah@att.net or at 317 753-3754.
