Dear ICN Community Members, Assalamu Alaikum

ICN Board has its community members’ health and safety as a top priority. We would like to reassure you that we are staying on top of things and staying in touch with local authorities, state, county health departments and community physicians to device the best course of action that will ensure safety of our community members in particular and the wider community in general.

We understand the concerns and fears prevailing in the community regarding COVID-19 and we do not, by any means, plan to disregard or downplay the situation. However, by the same token we need to control our fears as believers that nothing befalls us except what Allah has decreed. We must reconnect to Allah SWT and take necessary actions and precautions.

ICN Programs and Activities

After consulting with religious scholars, physicians and based on the Illinois Governor’s Press Release, the board has decided that:

  1. All planned social and community events at ICN will be cancelled
  2. Jummah Salah will also be cancelled effective Friday, March 13th until further notice to abide by the mandatory guidelines specified by the Illinois Governor’s office. According to the American Muslim Jurists in America (AMJA) – “It is not permissible for the masjids and Islamic centers to suspend the congregational prayers and jumuah because of the spread of the virus in the United States, unless the local public health authorities in a particular city advise the suspension of services at the houses of worship and avoidance of large public gatherings.” Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday ordered the cancellation of all public events with more than 1,000 people for 30 days and urged organizers to call off private and public gatherings of more than 250 people in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
  3. ICN Al Falah Academy (weekend school) classes will NOT be held effective immediately until further notice
  4. Tahfeezul Quran Evening Classes will be cancelled until further notice
  5. The Full-Time School will also be closed effective after class on Friday, March 13th until further notice
  6. The Full-Time Hifz Program will also be closed until further notice
  7. The masjid locations will be open for daily salah – however, vulnerable sections of the community (ages 65 and above, little children and people with illness) are strongly discouraged from coming. Also, please strictly follow these guidelines given below

Please follow these health safety guidelines:

  • Please avoid mass gatherings outside the masjid
  • Please restrict the time spent at the masjid by doing wudu at home and not staying after salah for non-obligatory prayers.
  • Please wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds prior to and after visiting the masjid
  • Elderly members who are older than 65 years – please stay at home and avoid attending Jummah prayers until further notice.
  • Practice personal hygiene at your best including frequent washing of hands with soap or with alcohol (60%) based sanitizers, wipe common use services with clorex or any EPA approved sanitizers.
  • If a member is sick with fever, cough or shortness of breath, he/she should call their doctor immediately for further advice and stay at home with self-isolation with no sharing of personal items with other household members.
  • Last but not the least, pray to Allah SWT that He renders His mercy upon us and protect us all from all illness and hardships.

JazakAllahu Khairan for your understanding and cooperation.

Link providing important background information:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-state-briefing-thursday-20200312-pq3wcmlc6zetxmptk7l4iwsqey-story.html

Link providing important background information:
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/faq

Link providing information for schools:
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/schools-guidance