🔗 ESSENTIAL RAMADAN LINKS
💻 Ramadan Hub: www.iost.org/ramadan
🕋 Prayer Schedule: www.iost.org/ramadan2026prayerschedule
🍲 Iftar Sponsorship: www.iost.org/iftarsponsorship
📘 Digital Booklet: www.iost.org/ramadan-booklet

Assalamu Alaikum! As we begin the blessed month of Ramadan TONIGHT, we want to ensure everyone has a spiritual, safe, and organized experience. Please take a moment to review our community guidelines to help things run smoothly for all.

🚗 1. PARKING & SAFETY (STRICT ENFORCEMENT)
Alhamdulillah, our community has grown significantly, and we are expecting a record number of attendees this year. Because of this growth, we will be strictly enforcing the following parking policies without exception:

Lot Policy: The main lot will be closed once full. Please arrive early to secure a spot!
🚫 Zero Tolerance for Double Parking: Blocked cars or lanes will be towed immediately at the owner’s expense. We must ensure emergency vehicle access at all times.
🅿️ Overflow Parking: Once the IOST lot is full, you are required to park at the Family Enrichment Network parking lot.

🧸 2. EXCITING & FREE CHILDCARE (Ages 4–10)
We are making Taraweeh easier for parents! Our program is:

Professionally Managed: Safe, organized, and supervised.
Full of Fun: We have ccasional Snacks, Games, and Arts & Crafts.
Educational: Includes Daily Islamic Lessons tailored for kids.
Service Hours: From Isha through 8-10 Rak’ahs.
Mandatory: For the tranquility of the prayer hall, all children ages 4–10 must be enrolled in childcare if they are not praying with their parents.

🕌 3. PRAYER AREAS
Main Halls: Reserved strictly for those who are praying.
Under Age 4: Parents with toddlers/infants are asked to use the designated downstairs prayer area.

👟 4. MASJID CARE
Shoes: Please use the racks only. Shoes left on the floor will be moved to keep walkways clear.
Cleanliness: “Our Masjid, Our Home.” Let’s respect Allah’s House—please treat this facility with more care than your own home!

💧 5. WATER & HYDRATION
Please bring reusable bottles to reduce waste.
Donations to our Water Fund are always welcome to help keep the community hydrated. If you would like to donate physical cases of water bottles, you are more than welcome to bring them in.

🤝 6. MANDATORY COOPERATION
Given the large crowds, full cooperation is required from every single community member. Our staff and volunteers are representatives of IOST and are here to serve you and keep you safe.

Follow Instructions: You must follow the directions of all staff members and volunteers at all times.
Respect: Any disrespect toward those working to manage the facilities will not be tolerated. Let our manners reflect our faith.

We look forward to seeing you all tonight for the first night of Taraweeh! May Allah (SWT) bless our community this month.

#IOST #Ramadan2026 #CommunityFirst #RamadanMubarak #OurMasjidOurHome

Share the Blessings of Ramadan 🌙
Link: https://themasjidapp.org/iost/donations/1736

This Ramadan, the IOST will be providing daily Iftar for those in need, and we invite you to be part of this act of service. Your generosity can place a warm meal on the table of a fasting brother or sister—and fill your own scales with reward.

✨ The Promise of Barakah
Reflect on the words of our beloved Prophet ﷺ:
“Whoever gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will have a reward like theirs, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.”
— Sunan At-Tirmidhi (807)

Imagine the reward of every fast broken because of your kindness.

🤲 How You Can Help
1. Any Amount: Every contribution counts and helps ensure a daily meal after Maghrib.
2. Daily Sponsorship: $600 — Provide Iftar for the entire community for one day ($6 per meal 100 Iftar meals served daily throughout Ramadan)

💖 Donate Today
Open your heart this Ramadan and help nourish those who come to our masjid seeking community and sustenance.

🔗 Sponsor Online: https://themasjidapp.org/iost/donations/1736 or iost.org/iftarsponsorship

May your generosity be a source of barakah, mercy, and multiplied reward. 🌙

📘 The Ramadan Booklet: www.iost.org/ramadan-booklet (Program details, services, important timings & dates, and event guides)
🕋 Prayer Schedule: www.iost.org/ramadan2026prayerschedule
💻 The Ramadan Website: www.iost.org/ramadan (Your central HQ for all things Ramadan)
🍲 Iftar Sponsorship: www.iost.org/iftarsponsorship

🌙 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐡𝐚’𝐛𝐚𝐧 🌙
As we progress through the month of Sha’ban, we have reached a night of immense spiritual significance. Tonight is the 15th of Sha’ban, a time when Allah (SWT) descends His special mercy upon His creation to forgive those who seek it.

The Hadith:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَطَّلِعُ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ
Translation: “Indeed, Allah looks down on the night of the middle of Sha’ban and forgives all His creation, except for a polytheist (mushrik) or one who harbors malice/hatred (mushahin).”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 1390)

💭 Reflection:
Forgiveness is not just sought—it is prepared for. To receive Allah’s mercy tonight, we must strive to clear the two greatest barriers:
– Shirk: Associating partners with Allah in our belief.
– Mushahin: Holding onto grudges, enmity, or hatred toward a fellow Muslim.

✅ Action Items for Tonight & Tomorrow:
– Mend a Relationship: Reach out to someone you have been holding a grudge against. Let go of the grudge. Forgive them for the sake of Allah so that He may forgive you.
– Sincere Istighfar: Dedicate time tonight to sit in private and ask Allah to forgive every sin, known and unknown.
– Check Your Heart: Ensure your heart is free from envy (hasad) and ill-will toward any member of our community.
– Fast Tomorrow: It is highly recommended to fast tomorrow (the 15th of Sha’ban) to complement your worship and seek further reward.

🌸 A clean heart invites divine mercy. May Allah allow us to benefit from this night and accept our repentance. Ameen!

Islamic Organization of Southern Tier (IOST)

“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.” (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Assalamu Alaykum community members,

As our community continues to grow, Alhamdulillah, we are facing significant challenges with parking during Jumuah. We need everyone’s cooperation to ensure that our Masjid remains a place of peace rather than a source of frustration for our brothers and sisters.

🏠 Our Masjid is Our Home
This is everyone’s Masjid. We often take better care of our own homes than any other place, but the House of Allah (SWT) deserves even greater respect. We should treat this facility and its grounds with more care and excellence than we do our own properties. Part of that excellence (Ihsan) is being mindful of how we park.

⚠️ Parking Rules & Enforcement
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝. We understand the lot reaches capacity quickly, but for the safety and flow of the community, we must adhere to this rule. If you find it absolutely necessary to double-park:

1. IMMEDIATE REMOVAL: You must return to your vehicle and remove it immediately after the Fardh (obligatory) prayer.
2. NO DELAYS: Do not stay for Sunnah prayers or socializing while your car is blocking another. Clear the lane first, then return for your extra worship or conversations.

STRICT ENFORCEMENT:
– Ticketing: We will begin issuing tickets to any cars still double-parked 10 minutes after the Fardh Salah.
– Towing: If a vehicle continues to block the flow of traffic or refuses to move, we will be forced to tow the vehicle at the owner’s expense.

We do not wish to take these measures, but we must protect those who have work, school, or medical commitments and find themselves “trapped” in our lot.

Let’s work together to make our Friday experience pleasant for everyone. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your understanding and cooperation!

Islamic Organization of Southern Tier (IOST)
𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.

#IOST #Jumuah #CommunityRespect #BinghamtonMuslims #ParkingEtiquette

The Honor of Privacy: Avoiding Publicizing Sins

Allah is As-Sitteer—The One who conceals our faults. Out of His mercy, He covers us. In return, we are taught to protect our own privacy and the privacy of others.

📖 The Prophet ﷺ warned against exposing sins that Allah has already hidden.

💡 Repentance is most powerful when it is private and sincere—between you and Allah.

✅ This week’s action:
• Practice discretion and sincere tawbah
• Do not share mistakes publicly or on social media
• Turn to Allah in private prayer
• Protect the dignity and privacy of others

🕊️ What Allah covers, we should not uncover.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
(Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return)

With heavy hearts, the Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier (IOST) announces the passing of a beloved long-time member of our community: Br. Ameenuddin Ansari

Brother Ameenuddin was a resident of the Binghamton community for over 25 years. We ask Allah (SWT) to forgive him, have mercy on his soul, and grant him the highest level of Jannah.

Family Connections:
– He was the beloved father of Mohammed Shoeb Ansari and Mohammad Sohel Ansari.
– He was the brother of Shakeel Arif Ansari.

Janazah Details:
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM (After Dhuhr Prayer)
Location: IOST Masjid

Burial Details:
The burial will take place immediately after the Janazah prayer:
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: IOST Cemetery: 📍 100 East Maine Road, Johnson City, NY

Condolences

We ask the community to keep the Ansari family in your du’as during this difficult time. May Allah grant them Sabrun Jameel (beautiful patience).

“O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him and cause his entrance to be wide and wash him with water and snow and hail. Cleanse him of his transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains.”

Islamic Organization of Southern Tier (IOST)

Only 1 Month Until Ramadan!

“O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan.”

Alhamdulillah, the hilal (new moon) for Sha’ban was sighted last night! This means we are now officially only one month away from the most blessed time of the year.

✨ Mark Your Calendars: The first day of Ramadan is expected to be Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Insha’Allah.

📍 What to Expect at IOST this Year:
We are working hard to make this Ramadan a spiritually uplifting experience for the whole family. Be on the lookout for official announcements in the coming days regarding:
🍲 Daily Community Iftars: Join us as we break fasts together every evening.
📖 Special Taraweeh Announcements: Details on our huffadh and prayer schedules.
🎈 Youth & Children’s Events: Special programming during the month of Ramadan, and after Eid to keep our children connected to the Masjid.

🤝 Join the Ramadan Volunteer Team!
A month of this scale requires a dedicated team of volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. We are currently looking for help (from both brothers & sisters) in the following areas:

🚗 Traffic Flow & Parking Management
🛡️ Security & Safety
🧸 Childcare during Taraweeh

If you would like to earn the immense rewards of serving the fasting community, please reach out to Imam Anas at 📧 anas@iost.org.

Stay tuned to our page for more updates. Let us begin our preparations now—both physically and spiritually—to welcome the Guest of Allah.

#IOST #Ramadan2025 #Sha’ban #Community #SouthernTierMuslims #RamadanCountdown