Introduction
The Religion Committee was one among the various sub-committees formed by the Managing Committee of our Association in the year 2000. It comprises of members from within and without the Managing Committee. Its main objective is to organise religious events and give the Kokni members a chance to learn and adopt an Islamic way of living. As the years pass, the services offered by the religion committee to the members of the Association are on the rise.
Activities
The Religion Committee organises the following activities yearly:
1. Lectures: The religion committee invites various local lecturers to talk on important Islamic issues and dates i.e. lecture on Meraj - when Prophet Muhamed (SAW) visited the heavens, importance of fasting in Ramadhan , giving Zakat, going for Hajj & many more.
In 2009, a Turkish delegation was also invited during which time our Kokni members got an opportunity to glance at the hair of the beard of the Prophet Muhamed (SAW).
2. Youth Camp: The religion committee organises a Youth Camp every year. This camp is mainly for the young generation however a number of our elders also take the opportunity to attend. This is a night out event in a mosque or school as decided by the religion committee. In the youth camp we all get to learn and remind ourselves about the teachings of the holy quran, hadiths, how to perform salat etc by local lecturers and imams. The main aim of the youth camp is to practise and adopt the Islamic way of life.
3. Masjid Cleaning: The Kokni Muslim Association has its own mosque, Masjid Bukhari, in the KMA compound. Once every year the religion committee invites all the youngsters, as well as adults, to participate in the cleaning of the masjid and earn a lot of sawab. The masjid is cleaned to have a clean environment for praying & doing ibadah, and also to keep the house of Allah (SWT) clean.
4. Ramadhan Activities: During the holy month of Ramadhan, the following activities are organised:
- Iftari: The religion committee hosts 2 iftari programs for the members in the holy month of Ramadhan.
- Needy program: The religion committee organises 2 needy programs in the month of Ramadhan. Here trusted religion committee members distribute a number of dekhs of cooked food or give ration to the needy. The religion committee encourages participation of the youngsters in such events.
- Quran Competition: In the last iftari program of every Ramadhan, the religion committee organises a Quran Competition. In this event, the children from both within and without our community, are given an opportunity to recite a verse from the holy Quran in a competitive atmosphere. The children are divided into specific age groups and ranked according to the age group. The judges are usually the local teachers and Imams from outside the community. Hence this increases the standard of Quran recitation of our children every year.
- Sponsorship for Quran hafiz: The religion committee sponsors at least three students every year to learn and memorise the holy Quran. The cost of 1 student is approximately Kshs.30,000/- per annum. Any contribution for the Quran sponsorship is welcome.
- Collection of clothes for needy: The religion committee collects clothes from the Association members and distributes the clothes to the needy. This is a great way of helping the needy by giving them good clothes to wear.
5. Qurbani Program: The religion committee started this program about three years ago. It is held yearly during the Eid-ul-Adha festivity. Based on orders received from our members, the Muslim community in our neighbourhood, and families from abroad, the religion committee organises for purchasing of the goats, and provides complete facility of slaughtering, skinning and distribution of meat. All proceeds earned from this activity goes towards the running expense of our masjid.
6. Madrassa: A madrassa was started in the year 2008. The main objective of the madrassa is to provide Islamic teaching and improve quran recitation for the children living in the KMA compound. The madrassa is conducted in our Masjid on a weekly basis, every Saturday, from morning to noon.
7. Ghusl Committee: The ghusl committee mainly comprises members of the religion committee. Facilities to give ghusl to the deceased members are available. Participation is encouraged from our general membership so that everyone gets an opportunity to learn this important ritual on performance of the ghusl.
8. Finances: The religion committee collects the following from willing members:
- Zakat/Fitrana.
- Sadaqal jaria.
- Sponsorship for hafiz quran.
- Masjid expenses which include salaries of Imam & his assistant and general masjid upkeep.
- Donation for the needy iftari.
Members of our Association, both young and old, and the Muslim ummah at large, are encouraged to contribute towards such noble activities and earn multiple sawabs, and blessings from Allah (SWT). Surely Allah (SWT) will increase your wealth and grant you good health. Ameen.