🌿Assalamu Alaikum, Dallas!
We’ve missed you all, it’s great to be back after our two week vacation. Tonight alone has three great options depending on who you are. This week we're spotlighting Royal's International Foods Market in Garland, a hidden gem that an Afghani family transformed from a struggling store into a thriving community market — complete with fresh halal meat and a bakery. We've personally shopped there and it delivers. We also found your next halal dining adventure: Chino-Mex in Richardson is bringing bold Chinese-Mexican fusion to the DFW scene and the hype is very real. Let's get into it. 🌿
💭 FAITH REFLECTION — Put It Down. It's Too Heavy to Keep Carrying.
There is something about a new beginning, a new month, a new season, a fresh start that invites us to ask an honest question: what am I still carrying that I was never meant to hold onto this long?
For many of us, the answer is a grudge. A wound that hasn't healed. A name we tense up at. A memory we replay more than we'd like to admit. We tell ourselves we've moved on, but the weight in our chest says otherwise.
Islam doesn't ask us to pretend the hurt never happened. It asks us something harder and more liberating than that: to release it. Not for the person who wronged you but for Allah.
"Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur: 22)
Allah is connecting our willingness to forgive others directly to His forgiveness of us. This is not a coincidence, it is a profound invitation. Every time we choose to let go of a grievance, we are opening a door to Allah's mercy in our own lives.
One of the most fascinating stories in the Sirah is when the Prophet ﷺ once pointed to a man entering the masjid and told the companions that this person was from the people of Jannah. When a companion stayed with him to observe what he did, he found nothing extraordinary — no long night prayers, no exceptional fasting. When asked his secret, the man said: "I do not sleep while harboring any ill-feeling toward any Muslim." (Ahmad)
That was it. A clean heart at bedtime. Night after night after night.
This week's action: Think of one person you've been holding something against; a family member, a friend, a colleague, anyone. You don't have to call them. You don't have to pretend everything is fine. But this week, make a private intention in your heart to release it to Allah. Say: "Ya Allah, I let this go for Your sake. Forgive me as I choose to forgive." Then notice how much lighter you feel. A new beginning doesn't require a new calendar. It requires a new intention. Start tonight.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." (Bukhari)
🔦 THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS
Here's a quick look at what's inside this issue — don't miss any of it:
🛒 Royal's International Foods Market (Garland) — Business Spotlight A family-run international halal market that is stocked with products from around the world, fresh halal meat, and a bakery putting out hot bread until 2 PM. Go see for yourself.
🌮 Chino-Mex (Richardson) — Halal Find Chinese and Mexican street food in one place, fully halal, and packed with flavor. The kind of fusion that sounds wild until you taste it and suddenly it makes complete sense.
🧕 The Makings of a Muslimah — Tonight (Allen) High school sisters, IAA Allen has a monthly space just for you — led by Alima Maha Firoze to help you grow in your deen and navigate high school life through faith.
🌿 Gathered — Tonight (Coppell) Late 20s and 30s, VRIC is hosting an evening of walking shawarma, Coffeewali coffee, and an uplifting halaqa. Kids corner included.
🎨 Rahma Fest: Sweet & Well-Dressed — Saturday (Plano) Natural henna, a legendary bake sale, and a full evening of community at IACC Plano Masjid.
ISLAMIC EVENTS
Friday
IAA: 🧕 The Makings of a Muslimah
High school sisters, this one is created just for you! Allen Youth is hosting a monthly gathering led by Alima Maha Firoze to help you connect with friends, grow in your deen, and navigate everyday high school life through faith.
📅 Date: Friday, August 21st (Tonight!)
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Islamic Association of Allen (909 Allen Central Dr, Allen, TX 75013)
MAS: 🗣️ Men Talk: Purpose & Direction
Ever checked off every single item on your to-do list, done "everything right," and still caught yourself wondering why you feel lost? You're definitely not the only one. MAS CYP is bringing together Dr. Omar Husain and Ustadh Morad Awad for an honest, real-talk session.
📅 Date: Friday, August 21st (Tonight!)
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM
📍 Location: Banquet Hall (MAS Dallas)
👥 Who: College Students & Young Professionals (Men)
🎙️ Speakers: Dr. Omar Husain & Ustadh Morad Awad
📱 Action: RSVP required (scan the QR code on the flyer)
VRIC: 🥙 Gathered
Looking to connect with fellow Muslims in their late 20s and 30s? Head to Valley Ranch Islamic Center for a cozy evening featuring walking shawarma from Zeytin, fresh coffee from Coffeewali, and an uplifting halaqa on Interactions of the Greatest Leader (PBUH).
📅 Date: Friday, August 21st (Tonight!)
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – Maghrib
📍 Location: Valley Ranch Islamic Center (VRIC) (Main & Side Turfs)
👥 Who: Individuals in their late 20s and 30s (and kids!)
🎨 Kids Corner: Paper Lanterns & Paper Plate Watermelon Slices
🔗 RSVP: bit.ly/baytukaugust
Saturday
IACC: 🌿 Rahma Fest: Sweet and Well-Dressed
Get ready for fresh henna stain lines and homemade treats! As part of Rahma Fest, our sisters will be applying natural henna all evening while a legendary bake sale runs right next door. Pro tip: head over early—the baked goods sell out every year, and the henna queue fills up fast!
📅 Date: Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 (Tomorrow!)
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
📍 Location: IACC – Plano Masjid
VRIC: 🏆 North Field Grand Opening
Celebrate the grand opening of the new North Field at Valley Ranch Islamic Center (VRIC)! Watch Team Sh. Junaid face off against Team Sh. Yaser, join a scavenger hunt to win a big raffle prize, and grab a giveaway if you're among the first 100 to arrive.
📅 Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Valley Ranch Islamic Center (VRIC)
Sunday
EPIC: 💚 The Living Heart
Kick off your Sunday mornings with purpose! This weekly after-Fajr series provides high school boys with a dedicated space to reflect, bond, and start the day on a positive note.
📅 Date: Sundays
⏰ Time: After Fajr
👥 Who: High School Boys (Ages 14+)
ICF: 🍲 Sunday Morning Seerah & Potluck
Start your Sunday on the ultimate high note! Join Imam Salah Mahmoud right after Fajr to dive into the life of the Prophet (PBUH), reflect on timeless wisdom, and learn how to apply those lessons to daily life.
📅 Date: Sunday, August 23rd
⏰ Time: After Fajr
📍 Location: Main Prayer Hall (Islamic Center of Frisco – 11137 Frisco Street, Frisco, TX)
👤 Speaker: Imam Salah Mahmoud
🔄 Frequency: Every Sunday
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
🛒 Royal’s International Foods Market
Garland's Hidden Halal Gem Just Got a Major Upgrade
There's a quiet success story happening right on Belt Line Road in Garland, and it's one our community needs to know about. About nine months ago, an Afghani family took over Royal’s International Foods Market and completely transformed it. Walk in today and you'll find a clean, well-organized international grocery store that feels welcoming from the moment you step through the door. The shelves are stocked with products from Afghanistan, Iran, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. The kind of variety that makes Royal’s a true one-stop shop for Muslim families looking for the ingredients that actually belong in their kitchen. We've personally shopped there and can tell you firsthand: the new owners have poured real care and pride into every corner of this store.
And it keeps getting better. The family recently added a fresh halal meat section and a bakery, two additions that take Royals from a solid grocery run to a full community market. The owners told me that customers who want to catch the fresh bread still piping hot can come in between 9am to around 2pm. One early reviewer summed it up perfectly: "The owner is very kind and helpful! I will definitely be visiting again! They have lots of great items. I recommend it 100% — the store is clean and organized and the ambiance is wonderful." With an almost 5.0-star rating across nearly 60 customer reviews, the community has already started to notice. This is exactly the kind of Muslim-owned family business that deserves our support, not just because of what they sell, but because of the story behind it. A family that took a struggling store and turned it into something our community can be proud of. Go visit them, and bring your grocery list.
📍 Visit Them
🏠 Location: 901 Belt Line Rd #102, Garland, TX 75040
📞 Phone: (682) 409-2739
🕐 Hours: Mon–Sun: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
HALAL FIND
Richardson, get ready to experience an incredible culinary crossover that brings the absolute best of two worlds together! Chino-Mex is taking the local food scene by storm with a vibrant, high-energy fusion of Chinese and Mexican street food traditions.
The vibe here is casual, fast-paced, and incredibly welcoming, making it a fantastic spot to grab a fun meal with family or kick back with friends after a busy week. With an absolute commitment to serving fully Halal fusion creations crafted with big flavor and incredible creativity, it’s the ultimate destination to satisfy those big weekend cravings. check out this reel!
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
KIDS & TEENS ACTIVITIES
♟️ Saturday Chess Meetup (All Ages) Practice chess with new friends in a fun, casual environment! Whether you are a beginner looking to play friendly matches or an experienced player wanting to test your strategies, all skill levels are welcome. (Note: This is an open play meetup, not an instructional class).
📍 Location: John and Judy Gay Public Library Click to open side panel for more information (6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070)
📅 Date/Time: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
💰 Cost: Free! (Please reserve ticket quantities based on the number of participants).
👪 Audience: All Ages (Families, kids, teens, and adults welcome).
📚 Plotting a Novel Workshop Every story begins with a question: where do we start, and how do we find our way to the end? Presented by Write On! Learning, this hands-on workshop invites emerging and experienced writers to explore the essential architecture of storytelling.
📍 Location: Frisco Public Library (8000 Main St, Frisco, TX 75034)
📅 Date/Time: Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
💰 Cost: Free!
👪 Audience: Teens (13+) and Adults.
🧶 Create, Craft and Chat Connect with your neighbors while exploring the joy of making! Join us for hands-on handicrafts and tinkering projects that spark creativity and innovation. Bring your ideas and enjoy creating together in a warm, welcoming community space. All materials and inspiration are provided from the library's collection.
📍 Location: Create Room, Arlington Public Library - George W. Hawkes Downtown Library (100 S Center St, Arlington, TX 76010)
📅 Date/Time: Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
💰 Cost: Free! (Generously supported by the Friends and Foundation of the Arlington Public Library).
👪 Audience: Adults, Seniors, and Teens (Ages 13+).
PLACE TO GO
🎨 Clayful Art Cafe Unleash your inner artist in a warm, welcoming studio environment! Clayful Art Cafe is a creative space where guests can drop in to paint their own ceramics, enjoy coffee, and connect with friends or family over engaging art projects.
📍 Location: Clayful Art Cafe (3517 Windhaven Pkwy, Suite 200, Lewisville, TX 75056)
🕒 Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Monday: Closed
💰 Cost: Varies based on the chosen ceramic piece or activity.
👪 Audience: Fun for all ages, skill levels, and group sizes!
Drop in to work on a personal project, or book a table ahead of time for a memorable, creative experience! 🖌️☕
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