Announcements
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Immediate Concern: Visa Suspensions and UH Actions Impacting Our Students
Dear Brothers, Sisters, and International Students,
Assalaamu Alaikum,
On behalf of the Muslim Association of Hawai‘i (MAH), we are writing to share an urgent concern that directly impacts our Muslim community, international students, and broader civil rights efforts here in Hawai‘i.
During a briefing yesterday, Br. Hakim Ouansafi learned of alarming developments: international student visas have been suspended for some students, with the possibility that more may face similar actions. In at least one case, a visa suspension was tied to a minor speeding violation—an incident that should never have jeopardized a student’s educational future.
These measures are deeply troubling. They highlight systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Muslim students, international students, and marginalized communities striving for higher education. Policies like these not only limit access to academic opportunities but also send a discouraging message to those working hard to build their futures.
Br. Hakim is a longtime civil rights advocate and a founding member of the Hawai‘i Coalition for Civil Rights (HCCR) and continues to serve in both it's Social Justice and Communications subcommittees. Through these roles, and alongside MAH, we are committed to offering support to any students affected by these concerning actions under the current administration’s policies. Together, we are engaging with university leadership, our DC delegation, and local law makers advocating for your rights, and raising public awareness about these issues.
If you, or someone you know, has been affected or has concerns about these recent actions, we encourage you to reach out and email us at MAHmasjid@gmail.com. The Muslim Association of Hawai‘i stands ready to assist, advocate, and ensure that no student faces these challenges alone.
Jazaakum Allahu khairan for your continued trust and support. Together, we will continue to uphold justice, equity, and opportunity for all members of our community.
Sincerely,
The Muslim Association of Hawai‘i (MAH)
Ramadan Mubarak!
It is our great pleasure to inform you that the blessed month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday, March 23 inshaAllah. Taraweeh will begin on Wednesday night, March 22, following Isha prayer at 8:15 PM.
This is a time for us to reflect, repent, and renew our commitment to our faith. Let us set our intention now to worship Allah to the best of our abilities during these auspicious days and nights. We look forward to seeing you in the Masjid.
Ramadan Mubarak!
Nightly Ramadan Program
As the blessed month of Ramadan is approaching and anticipated to begin on Thursday March 23, we are delighted to invite you to join us for our Ramadan program at the Masjid. We have planned a spiritually uplifting program, led by our Imam, that we hope will benefit everyone.
The program will inshaAllah begin nightly at 8:15 PM with Isha prayer followed by four rakat Taraweeh. This will be followed by a short talk on various aspects of Islam and Ramadan. Following the talk, we will continue with four additional rakat Taraweeh followed by a short recitation of the Quran. To end, we will offer Shaf’a prayer, followed by Witr and Dua. The program will conclude at approximately 9:30 PM nightly. Tahajjud prayers will inshaAllah be offered in the last 10 nights starting at 4:00 AM.
As announced many times at Jummuah prayer, parking near and around the Masjid continues to be a most contentious subject with our neighbors. Numerous complaints have been made to City Council members, state agencies, and the Honolulu Police Department. We are each ambassadors of Islam, and as such, this is not the message we want to send nor is it the reputation we want to create.
Our Prophet (SAW) taught us to be kind, thoughtful, and considerate to our neighbors. We look forward to Ramadan each year, but our neighbors unfortunately do not. With that in mind, this year we’re refocusing our efforts on being a great neighbor; the kind of neighbor our religion expects us to be therefore, there will be no Iftaar in the Masjid during this Ramadan. We will instead focus on our religious obligations and honor the teachings of our beloved Prophet (SAW). As a further reminder, please be courteous to our neighbors with respect to parking and noise.
We hope this Ramadan will be a time of spiritual growth and reflection. May Allah (SWT) accept our worship and prayers and bless us with His mercy and forgiveness. Jazaakom Allah Kheir!