Community Memorial for Sister Fatimah Bagheri
Join us to memorialize our dearly departed Sister Fatimah Bagheri.
Fatimah was a core contributor to Sacred Roots from the beginning of its Pilsen programming. She helped shape the ethos of the organization as we planned programs from the beginning and helped make design choices for the space. She was the hub for all of the meals through her years of service and a constant source of hospitality and support for everyone who walked in and out of our doors. Her deep dedication to serving others - a trait she shares with her family who have also supported so many of us through the years - was the beating heart of our community, though it may have gone unnoticed on the surface. Above all, she was a loving daughter and sister and a dear friend to so many in our community.
We will eulogize her through poetry, prayer, and community reflections. We will also share plans to honor her soul through ongoing community initiatives. Please join us to honor her family and pray for her soul.
Memorial
Prayer
Dinner
Outdoor Neighborhood Celebration - Milad al-Nabi
Join us for our second annual outdoor neighborhood celebration (milad al-Nabi), in conjunction with our monthly community service initiative, Fatimah's Community Kitchen. We invite the entire community to celebrate the birth of the Prophet (ṣ) with a community BBQ at Harrison Park on Sunday, September 13 from 2-4 PM. We will have food, children's programming and a special vendor spotlight with 72 Lights coffee cart. Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs for a fun-filled afternoon!
Note on Location:This program will not be taking place at Sacred Roots but rather at the nearby Harrison Park, 1824 S Wood St, Chicago.
Please consider helping make this event a success by sponsoring. Funds will go towards food costs, activities, supplies and the 72 Lights coffee cart. Sponsorship information is included in the RSVP form above. After submitting the form, contributions may be made via:
* Zelle: info@sacredrootscommunity.org
or
* Donorbox: SacredRootsCommunity.org/donate
Seeking the Divine - Reflections on the Prayers of the Prophet’s Family
RSVP - In Person | ZOOM - Virtual
Join us to explore the prayers of Imam Sajjad, Ali the son of Imam Husayn. The prayers (ad’iya, plural of du’a) in the al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah are expressions of submission to the Creator. As one scholar puts it:
“Here we have one of the greatest spiritual luminaries of Islam so overawed by the sense of God's goodness, mercy, and majesty as to express his utter nothingness before the Creator…In the Sahifa we see Islamic spirituality - or that dimension of the religion of Islam which deals with the practical and lived reality of the personal relationship between man and God - expressed in the most universal of languages, that of the concrete and intimate yearning of the soul for completion and perfection.”
We will read the prayer in translation, briefly analyze the main themes, and then circle-up for reflective conversation.
Schedule
Commentary and Reflective Conversation
Prayer (Ṣalah)
Refreshments
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
Convergence Virtual - The History of the East Coast Shi’ah Convert Community - Sharif El-Mekki
Join us for an online discussion with Brother Sharif El-Mekki on the history, key figures, challenges, and successes of the Shi'ah convert community and its activities in the Eastern United States.
10am PT | 12pm CT | 1pm ET
Brother Sharif El-Mekki
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
Convergence 2026 - Recognition, Resistance, Reformation
You will hear back from our team after the application is received and reviewed.
Registration closes November 30th.
Convergence is an annual gathering for converts to Islam who follow the teachings of the Family of the Prophet (Ahl al-Bayt). This is a gathering for
Converts - New Muslims, Veteran Converts, & Elders
The Children of Converts
Muslims from different denominations who later adopted the teachings of the Family of the Prophet
Convergence 2026 will be a 3-day conference held in Chicago, IL.
Theme: The topics are built around three stages of challenges
recognition – recognizing the subjective drift away from God
resistance– resisting the drift and strengthening our grip on God’s rope
reformation– taking spiritual and material steps toward strengthening ourselves and our community
Goals:
re-rooting ourselves in Islam’s essential spiritual and social teachings
building friendships and family connections
building our own Islamic culture in North America
strengthening the North American Shīʿī convert community
Our days will be filled with:
conversation and breaking bread
panels and interactive discussions
prayer and reflection
A schedule, topic details, and a final list of educators will be announced soon.
Attendees will be responsible for their travel and lodging. Reduced hotel rates will be announced soon. The suggested donation for the conference is $100 for those who can afford it.
If you have a financial hurdle, please reach out to trenton@sacredrootscommunity.org
For more information please e-mail: trenton@sacredrootscommunity.org and add “Convergence” in the e-mail title.
Details
Dates: Friday Dec. 11th to Sunday Dec. 13th
Where: Sacred Roots Muslim Community - 1758 West 21st Place, Chicago, IL 60608
Our Current Educators - More to come:
Sister Latifa Barnett
Sister Nzinga ElMekki Abdullah-Aziz
Shaykh Rizwan Arastu
Shaykh Trent Carl
Topics:
Recognition
Essential Islam - Thinking Righteously
Supplication and Meditation - On Duʿāʾ Makārim al-Akhlāq
Interfaith Bonds
Communal Ethics - Orphans in the Nest
Anchoring Ourselves
Aspects of an Islamic Worldview
Casualties - Grief Circle
The Aging Convert - Faith in the Later Years
Convert Stewardship
Work & Livelihood
Transmitting our Faith
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 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
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
Note:
In addition to our usual meal preparation, we are working to have a booth with CHHC (Chicago Hispanic health coalition) from 8:30am-2pm. We will have an outreach and awareness table throughout the day and then distribute the meals from the Community Kitchen at that same booth around 1-2pm. Please consider signing up to help with outreach at the booth. If you are able to speak spanish that would really help as well.
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
The Spread - Potluck
Join us to break bread and catch up! Sign up to bring food to share with the community - homemade or purchased - your choice!
Evening prayers at 7:50.
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
Seeking the Divine - Reflections on the Prayers of the Prophet’s Family
RSVP - In Person | ZOOM - Virtual
Join us to explore the prayers of Imam Sajjad, Ali the son of Imam Husayn. The prayers (ad’iya, plural of du’a) in the al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah are expressions of submission to the Creator. As one scholar puts it:
“Here we have one of the greatest spiritual luminaries of Islam so overawed by the sense of God's goodness, mercy, and majesty as to express his utter nothingness before the Creator…In the Sahifa we see Islamic spirituality - or that dimension of the religion of Islam which deals with the practical and lived reality of the personal relationship between man and God - expressed in the most universal of languages, that of the concrete and intimate yearning of the soul for completion and perfection.”
We will read the prayer in translation, briefly analyze the main themes, and then circle-up for reflective conversation.
Schedule
Commentary and Reflective Conversation
Prayer (Ṣalah)
Refreshments
Convergence Virtual - The History of the West Coast Shi’a Convert Community - Shaykh Hashim ʿAli
Join us for an online discussion with Shaykh Hashim ʿAli on the history, key figures, challenges, and successes of the Shi'ah convert community and its activities in the Western United States.
10am PT | 12pm CT | 1pm ET
We will host a follow up on the Eastern United States with Brother Sharif El-Mekki on September 19th.
Shaykh Hashim studied Islam at UC Berkeley with Dr. Hamid Algar for over 20 years. He also spent time studying in Qum at Madrasah Imam Khomeini. He is an activist working alongside Muslims and non-Muslims alike to make the world a better place.
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
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
Bearing Witness Together: A Community Memorial for Sister Fatimah Bagheri
Join us to remember our dearly departed friend and sister, Fatimah Bagheri, and to support one another in our collective loss.
We will host a gentle, inclusive space for members of the community for prayer, storytelling, moments of silence, and a simple closing ritual. You are invited—though not required—to share memories, emotions, or simply be present with one another.
Facilitator: Sister Nzinga Abdullah-Aziz, MSN, RN, CHPN
Nzinga Abdullah-Aziz is a registered nurse, Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, end-of- life doula, educator, and founder of Compassion Wellspring. For nearly two decades she has accompanied individuals, families, and communities through serious illness, dying, caregiving, and grief. Her approach integrates clinical expertise, contemplative practice, and compassionate presence, creating spaces where grief is witnessed with dignity, respect, and hope.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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