As Salaamu Alaikum, Dear Community Members & Friends,
Like many of you, I have felt shell shocked and horrified all day. Since first receiving the news about New Zealand, to watching the developments unfolding all morning and knowing even now that some of the masjid attendees are unaccounted for, it has been a harrowing day for our community.
This was a white supremacist terror attack. It was the attackers’ intent that their actions would make people around the world feel less safe.
We will not give in to fear and hatred. Instead, the attacks have brought attention, love, and hope to New Zealand and the broader Muslim community.
Though we are mourning, we know the names and lives of the prayerful people who were martyred will remain with us. We will keep them and the families they leave behind in our prayers.
Today, I am taking comfort in these verses from the Quran as I pray:
“And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, “They are dead.” Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not. And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.”
(Quran 2:154-157)
Our team has compiled a variety of resources that will be helpful for you, as you seek out community, ways to cope, and opportunities to help, below.
With prayers and well wishes,
Zahra Billoo
Executive Director
Community Events & Vigils
Friday, March 15
Islamic Center of Mill Valley at 6:00pm
62 Shell Road, Mill Valley
Oscar Grant Plaza at 6:00pm
14th St. & Broadway, Oakland
Muslim Community Center of East Bay at 7:20pm
5724 W. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton
Featuring Dr. Rania Awaad & Shaykh Rami Nsour
Muslim Community Association at 7:30pm
3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara
Featuring Shaykh Mohammed Faqih, Imam Tahir Anwar, and Sr. Nuzhath Quadri
Saturday, March 16
South Bay Islamic Association at 6:30am
2345 Harris Way, San Jose
Pacifica Institute at 5:00pm
1257 Tasman Drive, Sunnyvale
Martin Luther King Jr. Library at 7:30pm
4th St. & San Fernando St., San Jose
Pacifica Institute at 8:00pm
979 San Pablo Ave., Albany
Sunday, March 17
Muslim Community Center of East Bay at 3:30pm
5724 W. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton
Lake Elizabeth at 6:30pm
40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
Monday, March 18
Santa Clara University at 5:30pm
Multifaith Sanctuary Space
We will be updating the listing on our Facebook page as best as possible, so feel free to check there to learn of any developments over the weekend.
Tools & Financial Support
CAIR-SFBA partners closely with the Khalil Center and Launchgood on a regular basis and encourages community members to engage these important resources:
- Crisis Helpline – 1-855-5HELPKC – Call the Khalil Center’s special phone number in case you are in a mental health crisis and need to speak to someone immediately.
- LaunchGood for New Zealand – contribute to help the families impacted by the attack in Christchurch
Additional toolkits for coping with and discussing grief and violence:
- An Age by Age Guide to Discussing Violence with Your Child – Parent Map
- Tragic Events Toolkit – The FYI
- Coping in the American Muslim Community – Muslim Wellness Foundation