Salam Sis,

You can start with the presentations (new muslim class) and buddy system with no need for funds. It's all volunteer based here, you just need someone who is well versed in Islam with moderate views, and with a good understanding of converts and the process they go through, that person would lead the new muslim class (coordinate getting teachers for different topics..etc).. and one other coordinator who should also be familiar with converts to lead the buddy/mentoring system. The way we do it here is we advertise in our newsletter/mailing lists that we're looking for mentors with certain qualifications, then we interview them/talk to them to make sure they'd be good mentors.. and then based on requests from new muslims we'll assign them according to matched interrests

Wa alaikum asalam . Thank you so much for your advice. MashaAllah it sounds like you have a strong organized community there in Santa Clara. Some converts are in desperate need of this type of system, and I really like the buddy system. I actually was thinking of doing something like that myself. the library and presentations sound great as well, and I will have to speak with the masjid's committee. Fundraising might be an endeavor for me/the newly formed committee InshAllah, since our masjid is short on funds now and is barely getting enough to pay bills and pay a new Imam we're finally getting in a few weeks ia. I will take your suggestions inshaAllah and contact the program coordinator. Jazakallah Khair.

Assalamu Alaikum,

Alhamdulillah our masjid (Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara) has a Support & Education Center for New Muslims. The center provides the following services:

1- The Center gives new Muslims a welcoming pack which has a prayer Rug, a Qur'an, some audio cds, a visual book that teaches how to pray and other stuff.

2- Library for New Muslims (audio/video/books) with many titles about basics of Islam.

3- The center developped a series of professional level I and level II presentations about the basics of Islamc that are taught as 2 courses on an on-going basis at the masjid. The presentation material was presented last year at ISNA and I think it is available on CDs.

4- In addition to that, we have a mentoring program where new Muslims, if they wish, are matched with other Muslims in the community as a "buddy" to help them integrate easier into the community, help them with prayers, questions about Islam..etc

If you would like to talk to the program coordinator contact sister Safaa at [email protected] or call her at 408-727-7277 ext 402.

edgard

I am in Upstate, South Carolina

as-salam aleikum wa rahmatillah wa barakatuh
We were supposed to start doing something at our Masjid but things just get delayed... of course someone has to take a stand and be in charge and well... everyone seems to be busy. I'm sure one can get started very easily InshaALLAH ta'ala what area are you in sis?