🌿Assalamu Alaikum, Dallas!
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The precious day of Ashura is just a few days away. This week's reflection digs into why it's one of the most meaningful fasting days on the Islamic calendar. We're keeping today's issue tightly packed with what matters: another look at American Islamic Diversity and how you can put your sadaqah and time to real use this week, plus a halal find that's part restaurant, part hangout — Escape 360 Cafe brings Asian street food and a full game-night vibe to Carrollton and McKinney. The weekend lineup is busy too, with a brothers' swim night, a Father's Day nature walk, sisters' tea, and a kids' Qiyam night all on the calendar. Let's make the most of these blessed days. 🌙
💭 FAITH REFLECTION — A Day That Saved a Nation
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah and saw the Jewish community fasting on Ashura, he asked why. They told him: this is the day Allah saved Musa and his people from Pharaoh, and Musa fasted in gratitude. The Prophet ﷺ responded: "We have more right to Musa than you," and he fasted it himself and instructed the Muslims to do the same. (Bukhari)
Gratitude for Allah's mercy isn't owned by one community, it belongs to anyone who recognizes the hand of Allah in their deliverance. And every one of us has had our own Red Sea moment, a time Allah rescued us from something we couldn't have escaped on our own.
The reward for fasting this day is remarkable. The Prophet ﷺ said fasting Ashura "expiates the sins of the previous year." (Muslim) One day. A full year wiped clean, by Allah's mercy.
This week's action: Fast the Day of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram). If you're able, fast the 9th as well to align with the Prophet's ﷺ guidance and distinguish our practice. If fasting isn't possible for you right now, mark the day with extra dhikr, charity, or simply reflecting on a moment Allah delivered you from something difficult. Either way — don't let this day pass unnoticed.
❝ "Fasting the Day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that came before it." (Muslim) 🌙
🔦 🔦 THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS
Here's a quick look at what's inside this issue — don't miss any of it:
🤲 American Islamic Diversity (AID) — Community Spotlight Serving 500+ refugee families across DFW with groceries, English classes, furniture, and the tools to become self-sustaining.
🍜 Escape 360 Cafe (Carrollton & McKinney) — Halal Find Halal-certified Asian street food meets a full game-night hangout. Board games, great vibes, and a menu big enough for a crowd.
🏊♂️ Brothers Swim Night — Sunday (Richardson) SMS & MAS are hosting an evening of open swim, pool games, and prizes at MAS Islamic Center of Dallas.
🌳 Sakinah Nature Walk: Father's Day Edition — Sunday Morning (Plano) A reflective adult-only walk through Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, led by Ustadh Safi Khan & Ustadha Sophia Khan.
🌙 Kids' Qiyam Night — Saturday (Richardson) IANT is hosting a high-energy night of prayer, learning, and friendship for kids ages 5–12.
ISLAMIC EVENTS
Friday
IAA: 🛑 Don’t Drift
Join Allen Youth for an interactive evening designed to explore how daily choices shape your life's direction. Led by Ustadh Zeeshan, the night includes deep reflection, engaging discussions, challenges, and food!
📅 Date: Friday, June 19th (Tonight!)
⏰ Time: Asr to Maghrib
📍 Location: IAA (909 Allen Central Dr, Allen, TX 75013)
👥 Who: Brothers & Sisters | Ages 12–14
📝 Requirement: Registration link on flyer
IANT:☕ Sips n’ Sisterhood
Unwind and connect with amazing women over a cozy cup of tea. Bring your absolute favorite snacks or tea blend to share, and enjoy an evening celebrating community sisterhood!
📅 Date: Friday, June 19th (Tonight!)
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: IANT Youth Room
👥 Who: Sisters of all ages and backgrounds
🍪 Style: Bring your favorite tea/snack to share
SMS: 🏀 SMS Friday Hangout
Brothers, skip the boring night at home and head out for the ultimate Friday evening! Come through to enjoy a spiritual Halaqah, hit the court for open gym basketball, chill out in the youth lounge, and wrap it all up with free food served right inside the gym.
📅 Date: Friday, June 19th (Tonight!)
⏰ Time: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Location: Sachse Masjid (2416 3rd St, Sachse, TX)
👥 Who: Brothers Ages 14+
📝 Requirement: Scan the flyer's QR code to lock in your spot!
Saturday
IANT: 🌙 Kids' Qiyam Night
Give your kids a memorable, high-energy late-night experience built just for them. Drop off ages 5–12 for an exciting evening of prayer, learning, and building friendships in the main musallah!
📅 Date: Saturday, June 20th (Tomorrow!)
⏰ Time: 9:30 PM – 12:00 AM (Registration at 9:00 PM)
📍 Location: IANT Main Musallah
👥 Who: Kids Ages 5–12
📝 Requirement: Scan the flyer's QR code to register
ICF: 🍔 Teens Brothers Cookout
High school brothers, kick back this Saturday evening with an outdoor get-together on the lawn. Come through for fire-grilled burgers, hot dogs, and a solid night hanging out with the squad!
📅 Date: Saturday, June 20th (Tomorrow!)
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Islamic Center of Frisco — ICF Lawn
👥 Who: High School Brothers Only
📝 Requirement: Registration link on flye
Sunday
SMS & MAS: 🏊♂️ Brothers Swim Night
Cool off, connect, and compete at the ultimate summer pool gathering for brothers! Dive into open swimming, pool games with awesome prizes, food, refreshments, and a solid space to build stronger community connections.
📅 Date: Sunday, June 21st
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: MAS Islamic Center of Dallas (1515 Blake Dr, Richardson, TX 75081)
👥 Who: Brothers Only | Ages 14+
📝 Requirement: Registration is required due to limited spots!
ICF: 🌳 Sakinah Nature Walk (Father’s Day Edition)
Connect with nature and your faith on a refreshing morning walk at the preserve. Led by Ustadah Sophia Khan and Ustadh Safi Khan, this is the perfect Sunday reset tailored just for adults.
📅 Date: Sunday, June 21st
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Arbor Hills Nature Preserve (6701 W Parker Rd, Plano, TX 75093)
👥 Who: Adults 21+
🗣️ Led By: Ustadh Safi Khan & Ustadha Sophia Khan
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
American Islamic Diversity (AID)
Rooted in Faith, Serving All
American Islamic Diversity has been helping family after family since 2021. We've had the privilege of volunteering with AID on multiple occasions, and every single time we walk away amazed by how many people they reach and by how thoughtfully they do it. Based right here in Garland, AID currently knows and serves over 500 refugee families spread across hotels and apartments throughout DFW, and every first Saturday of the month, they distribute fresh and dried groceries to 500+ families in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank. During Ramadan, that support shifts into daily mode, making sure no family in their network goes without iftar.
But AID's mission goes beyond emergency relief — it's about helping families stand on their own feet for good. They hire professional instructors to teach English so newcomers can access better jobs and educational opportunities. They collect and distribute furniture and household items to help newly arrived immigrant families turn an empty apartment into a home. They run financial assistance, small business, and skill-building initiatives designed to move families from surviving to genuinely self-sustaining. And they make sure the simple joys aren't forgotten either, distributing gifts and toys to refugee children during Eid, so kids get to feel like kids. As one beneficiary shared: "Thanks to your generous support, you not only provided me with financial assistance, but also gave me an opportunity — an opportunity to learn a skill, to start a small business that will support my young daughter, to become self-reliant and a productive member of society."
That's the heart of AID, not a handout, but a hand up. If you've ever wanted a tangible way to put your sadaqah and your time to work in this community, this is exactly where to start.
🤲 Get Involved
🌐 Website: americanislamicdiversity.com
📞 Phone: (972) 207-1911
💳 Zelle donations: [email protected]
📦 Ways to help: Volunteer for the monthly grocery distribution, donate furniture/household goods for newcomer families, or give directly to support food, education, and self-sufficiency programs
May Allah accept every effort and multiply the reward for everyone who shows up for this community. 🤍
HALAL FIND
If you are looking for a completely unique halal hangout that blends incredible Asian street food with a high-energy entertainment vibe, Escape 360 Cafe in Carrollton & McKinney is the ultimate destination. This isn't just a place to grab a quick bite; it is a sprawling, modern social hub packed with board games, trendy aesthetics, and a fully halal-certified menu. Whether you are planning a competitive game night with friends or a lively weekend family dinner, the vibrant atmosphere and massive menu make it one of the coolest spots to kick back in DFW. check out this reel!
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
KIDS & TEENS ACTIVITIES
⚽ Science of Soccer Go for gold as we celebrate the FIFA World Cup STEM-style! Discover the secrets of how top athletes fuel and train, meet local sports professionals, and dive into hands-on science activities that show exactly what it takes to dominate the field.
📍 Location: Sci-Tech Discovery Center (8004 N Dallas Pkwy, Ste 100, Frisco, TX 75034)
📅 Date/Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💰 Cost: Included with regular museum admission ($10 per person; infants under 1 are free).
👪 Audience: Families and children of all ages.
♟️ Saturday Chess Meetup (All Ages) Practice chess with new friends in a fun environment! This casual meetup is open to all skill levels—no formal instruction is provided, just open play and community connection.
📍 Location: John and Judy Gay Library (6861 W Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070)
📅 Date/Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
💰 Cost: Free! (Note: Online registrations are currently fully booked, but check the link for waitlist options or future dates).
👪 Audience: All Ages.
🐍 The Unhuggables from Wildlife on the Move Meet all the critters you thought you hated! Get up close and personal with a variety of creepy, crawly creatures and discover why they aren't so bad after all. Through cool scientific facts and natural history, you'll learn how these misunderstood animals actually help our ecosystem.
📍 Location: COR Council Chamber (411 W Arapaho Rd, Richardson, TX 75080)
📅 Date/Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
💰 Cost: Free!
👪 Audience: Ages 3 and up.
🎨 Air-Dry Clay Pottery Workshop (Part 1) Discover the art of hand-building ceramics in this immersive, two-part weekend workshop! Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, this hands-on class guides you through the process of molding air-dry clay into unique, functional pieces or decorative sculptures.
📍 Location: Spring Creek Room, Richardson Public Library (2360 Campbell Creek Blvd, Suite 500, Richardson, TX 75082)
📅 Date/Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Note: This is a two-part series; attendance is required for both this sculpting session and the painting session on June 27).
💰 Cost: Free! (Registration is required)
👪 Audience: Adults and Teens.
DEAL
🧱 LEGOLAND Discovery Center & SEA LIFE Combo Deal Unlock the ultimate indoor playground and underwater adventure with this special Groupon discount! Build your heart out with interactive rides and a 4D cinema, or step next door to voyage through jaw-dropping underwater worlds filled with sharks, rescue turtles, and thousands of marine creatures.
📍 Location: LEGOLAND Discovery Center - Dallas (3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, TX 76051)
📅 Date/Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026 | Timed entry slots available online (Arrive on time to guarantee entry!).
💰 Cost: * LEGOLAND Only Deal: From $23.80 (31% off)
Combo Ticket Deal: From $32.46 (42% off)
👪 Audience: Families and LEGO fans (Note: Adults must be accompanied by at least one child to enter LEGOLAND).
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