Dinner and a Film - Color of Paradise
RSVP
Join us for dinner and a movie.
During our meal we’ll be watching The Color of Paradise (Rang-e Khodā).
“Visually magnificent and wrenchingly moving, the film tells the story of a boy whose inability to see the world only enhances his ability to feel its powerful forces.”
We’ll hold a short post-film discussion circle for those interested.
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be felicitous.
Q. 62:9-10
The National March into Marquette Park
Sacred Roots has signed on as partner with IMAN (Inner-City Muslim Action Network) for The National March into Marquette Park.
On Saturday, August 1, sixty years after the Chicago Freedom Movement marched into Marquette Park, thousands will march again to demand freedom from mass criminalization and detention, full protection of voting rights, and a future rooted in dignity, justice, and shared humanity.
We encourage you to join the march to support discourse and activism around the major causes: Voting Rights & Democratic Participation, ICE Detention & Family Unity, and Militarization & Human Rights. This is an opportunity to meet and build with other people of faith and conscience who share many of our ideals.
If you’d like to get active in a particular role for the march please e-mail us at info@sacredrootscommunity.org
Arba‘īn: Returning to the Origin 1
RSVP - In Person | ZOOM - Virtual
Sacred Roots will host three gatherings in honor of 40 days since the passing of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hassan Ali Rizvi
Schedule
6:45pm - Doors open
7:00pm - Announcements & Lecture
7:45pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:15pm - Prayer and Dinner
Arba‘īn: Returning to the Origin 2
RSVP - In Person | ZOOM - Virtual
Sacred Roots will host three gatherings in honor of 40 days since the passing of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hassan Ali Rizvi
Schedule
6:45pm - Doors open
7:00pm - Announcements & Lecture
7:45pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:15pm - Prayer and Dinner
Arba‘īn: Returning to the Origin 3
RSVP - In Person | ZOOM - Virtual
Sacred Roots will host three gatherings in honor of 40 days since the passing of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hassan Ali Rizvi
Schedule
6:45pm - Doors open
7:00pm - Announcements & Lecture
7:45pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:15pm - Prayer and Dinner
Chicago Muslim Ecosystem Spotlight: Inner-City Muslim Action Network
Join us to learn about an important part of the Chicago Muslim Ecosystem: IMAN: Inner-City Muslim Action Network. Jannah Sellars will introduce IMAN's history, initiatives, and will open up discussion on ways we can support one another's community projects. She will also introduce the upcoming National March into Marquette Park.
IMAN offers community services and organizes around faith, the arts, previously incarcerated Muslims, physical and mental health, food access, police accountability, and other issues.
1:00 - Doors Open
1:15 - Prayer
1:30 - Discussion
3:00 - Lunch
"The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) is a community organization that fosters health, wellness and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts, and operating a holistic health center."
Du’a Kumayl
The Prayer of Kumayl is attributed to Imam Ali (‘a) as taught to his disciple Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha’i.
The prayer paints a picture of God’s Majesty and inspires the reader to seek God’s immeasurable mercy and to live a life in humility before the Divine.
RSVP - In Person | Virtual - Zoom
Join us in-person and virtually for an English engagement with Duʿāʾ Kumayl.
After the prayer there will be reflections or a community discussion.
Schedule:
Prayer (Ṣalah)
Discussion & Light Refreshments
Fatima’s Community Kitchen
Sign up to Volunteer or Sponsor
Fatima’s Community Kitchen is a monthly initiative to foster mutual aid and care within our community.
Q. 76:8-9
For the love of God, they feed the needy, the orphan and the prisoner,
saying ‘We feed you only for the sake of God. We desire no reward from you, nor thanks.
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُكُورًا
Volunteer Schedule:
9:00 AM - Volunteers arrive
9:00-11:30 AM - Food prep & cooking
11:30-1:00 PM - Meal packing
1:00-2:00 PM - Distribution
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be felicitous.
Q. 62:9-10
Liberalism and its Discontents: Moving towards a God-Oriented Worldview
This interactive presentation explores what it means to be a Muslim in America given our society's default assumptions about the world and human beings in particular. We shall discuss and challenge these assumptions in light of Islamic cosmology and lexicon, aiming to reexamine how we organize our lives, families and local communities in practice.
Dinner: 6:30pm
Talk and Discussion: 7:30pm
Prayer: 8:45pm
Shaykh Naveed Ganjani is a graduate of the Ahl al-Bayt Islamic Seminary, where he studied the core traditional Islamic curriculum. Prior to his seminary studies, he received a B.A. in Philosophy from Elmhurst College.
Shaykh Naveed resides in the Greater Chicago area with his family. He is especially active at Baitul Ilm Academy, where he teaches at the Quran Academy and serves as a Mahdi Youth Group director.
Ladies' Majilis
Join us for a Ladies’ Majilis as we gather in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lecture by Sister Asiyah Arastu
Poetry by Sister Salihah Aakil
Schedule:
7:00 PM - Doors Open
7:15 PM - Welcome and Lecture
Poetry and Nawha
Reflections/Discussion
8:51 PM - Prayer
9:15 PM - Dinner
Hope to see you all there!
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be felicitous.
Q. 62:9-10
Muḥarram Night 10
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Muḥarram Night 9
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Muḥarram Night 8
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Muḥarram Night 7
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
“Husayn is from me, and I am from Husayn” Husayn: The Ummatic Actor
The Prophet’s (ṣ) religious and social vision is best expressed through a unified Ummah striving to fill the world with godliness. The enormity of the task demands a non‑negotiable collective effort.
Join us for a conversation between two Muslim scholars hailing from two branches of the religion, Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans and Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
The conversation will explore members of the Prophet’s family (Ahl al‑Bayt) as ummatic figures, while examining the harmony that exists between the major Muslim intellectual and spiritual traditions. The scholars will probe opportunities for growth between Muslims as they aim for a fuller expression of Truth, Justice, and Mercy.
Schedule
1:00 PM - Prayer
1:15 PM - Conversation with Ustadh Ubaydallah Evans and Sayyid Hadi Radhawi
2:45 PM - Lunch
Muḥarram Night 6
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Remembrance in Verse Poetry Workshop with Salihah and Hussayn Aakil
Poetry is a voice for the human soul and is the main artistic vehicle for maintaining the legacy of Imam Ḥusayn (ʿa).
Join us for an interactive writing workshop focusing on poetry and elegies for the Martyrs of Karbala.
Open to any and all interested - no writing background necessary!
Bring a pen and pad.
Led by Salihah and Hussayn Aakil.
Fatima’s Community Kitchen
Sign up to Volunteer or Sponsor
Fatima’s Community Kitchen is a monthly initiative to foster mutual aid and care within our community.
Q. 76:8-9
For the love of God, they feed the needy, the orphan and the prisoner,
saying ‘We feed you only for the sake of God. We desire no reward from you, nor thanks.
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُكُورًا
Volunteer Schedule:
9:00 AM - Volunteers arrive
9:00-11:30 AM - Food prep & cooking
11:30-1:00 PM - Meal packing
1:00-2:00 PM - Distribution
Muḥarram Night 5
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be felicitous.
Q. 62:9-10
Sisters’ Q&A
Join us for a Sacred Roots Sisters’ event with visiting scholar; Shaykh Dr. Mehdi Hazari while we discuss the topic of Changing World, Same Islamic Role: Knowledge, Resilience, and Empowerment in a Muslim Woman.
This will be an informal discussion, followed by a Q&A. We welcome you to join us shortly after the Q&A with Jummuah Prayer at 12:50pm.
Chai and light refreshments will be served.
Muḥarram Night 4
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Muḥarram Night 3
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Muḥarram Night 2
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
Muḥarram Night 1
This Muharram 2026|1448 Sacred Roots will host gatherings in honor of Imam Husayn son of ʿAli, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lectures will be delivered by Sayyid Hadi Radhawi.
Schedule
7:00pm - Doors open
7:15pm - Announcements & Lecture
8:00pm - Poetry and Community Reflection
8:45pm - Prayer and Dinner
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be felicitous.
Q. 62:9-10
Ghadīr and the Perfection of Islam - Shaykh Naveed Ganjani
Join us as we mark the event of the Prophetic Transmission of Guardianship (Wilāyah) to Imam ʿAlī that took place at Ghadīr Khumm.
Children’s event downstairs during the talk!
Shaykh Naveed's talk will probe the deeper significance of Ghadīr as a timeless pledge and a metaphysical relationship of love and obedience to God's deputies (khulafāʾ).
Dinner
Talk + simultaneous Children’s event downstairs
Prayer
Shaykh Naveed Ganjani is a graduate of the Ahl al-Bayt Islamic Seminary, where he studied the core traditional Islamic curriculum. Prior to his seminary studies, he received a B.A. in Philosophy from Elmhurst College.
Shaykh Naveed resides in the Greater Chicago area with his family. He is especially active at Baitul Ilm Academy, where he teaches at the Quran Academy and serves as a Mahdi Youth Group director.
Sisters' Community Clothing Swap
Join us for a Sisters' Community Clothing Swap as we give our clothes a second life, reduce waste, and enjoy an afternoon of community and connection.
We will be accepting drop offs during this week's programming (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). The deadline to drop off is this Friday, June 5 during the Jumu'ah program.
What is a clothing swap?
A clothing swap is an event where clothes and accessories are traded (aka swapped). It’s the perfect opportunity to clear out your closet with forgotten items - giving your unloved pieces a second life!
What should I bring?
All sizes of modest adult clothing, hijabs, and children's clothing are welcome. Please bring gently used and clean clothing. Unclaimed items will be donated to local women’s shelters.
What we cannot accept
Dirty, stained, or damaged clothing, shoes, undergarments or miscellaneous items. If it is something you wouldn’t take for yourself, better to avoid bringing!
We look forward to seeing you all there!
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be felicitous.
Q. 62:9-10
Du’a Kumayl
The Prayer of Kumayl is attributed to Imam Ali (‘a) as taught to his disciple Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha’i.
The prayer paints a picture of God’s Majesty and inspires the reader to seek God’s immeasurable mercy and to live a life in humility before the Divine.
RSVP - In Person | Virtual - Zoom
Join us in-person and virtually for an English engagement with Duʿāʾ Kumayl.
After the prayer there will be reflections or a community discussion.
Schedule:
Prayer (Ṣalah)
Discussion & Light Refreshments
Against Brain Rot: An Exploratory Book Reading - The Unsettling of America
Against Brain Rot is an opportunity to put aside the algorithm, listen, engage your mind’s eye, and reflect.
Each Tuesday from April 28th to June 2nd we will read from Wendell Berry’s The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture. In it, Berry offers incisive critiques about contemporary industrial life and how our relationship with machines affects our relationship with the earth, with our homes, and with our selves.
“A landmark work of environmental writing that powerfully argues that our estrangement from the land through industrial farming is a cultural and spiritual crisis.”
Each reading will be open-ended with no particular stopping point. We will continue each session where we left off the session before, allowing the text, commentary, and conversation to organically develop.
The Friday Prayer: Jumu'ah at Sacred Roots
Join us on Fridays at Sacred Roots for the Friday Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah) followed by refreshments.
The Friday prayer is a weekly gathering of the Muslim community. Its two sermons are meant to inspire the audience to strengthen their steps toward God and a dignified life.
The sermons are followed by a communal prayer to tie the hearts of the community together in worship of the Divine.