Learn more about COVID-19, click here to download PDF.
Aug 13, 2021
Assalamu Alaikum Dear Community Members,
The following message is from your BIS Board:
In light of the recent developments in the coronavirus and the surge in the levels of hospitalizations and deaths here and around the country, we have taken the following steps to protect our community members:
Effective Saturday August 14th, 2021:
- BIS is requiring that all community members who come to the masajid for prayer to be vaccinated. If you believe that you are entitled to reasonable accommodation under federal law, please contact the BIS Office.
- We will go back to utilize the 6-feet social distancing until further notice.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times inside the masjid.
- No congregations and gatherings after the salah. Please maintain 6-feet social distancing at all times.
- The virus variants are causing serious health issues to children, therefore no children under 12 years of age may come to the masjid at this time.
- All masjid activities will be limited to online only. There will be no in-person activities held at the Masajid except salah, InshaAllah.
- Jummah Salah will be shortened to about 15 minutes.
- There will be no registration. It will be first come, first serve. Masjid doors will be closed when masjid is full utilizing 6-feet social distancing.
- Please continue to bring your own prayer rug.
- If anyone tests positive for the virus, please let the BIS office know and you must quarantine for 10 days.
BIS Board is asking all community members to adhere to the above rules during this difficult time and until the situation with the virus changes.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Jazakum Allah Khairan and may Allah bless you all and keep you and your families safe.
BIS Board
Dec 15, 2020
Birmingham Islamic Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Community update on Covid19 Vaccine and how to stay safe by Dr. Aadia Rana
Time: Dec 20, 2020 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83765544023
Meeting ID: 837 6554 4023
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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcEt4cFotg
Nov 13, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS community,
The number of coronavirus hospitalized patients rose to levels not seen since April. The number continues to rise. In Jefferson County alone, the number has increased by 76% in October. This is not the time to relax. Please continue to avoid gatherings. Please ensure that social distancing is utilized and that your mask is on all the time when you are outside of your home and when you are at the masjid.
Jazakum Allah Khairan for your continued support and patience.
BIS BOARD
Oct 16, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS community,
Jefferson County continues to be among one of 18 counties in Alabama labeled as a High risk county with respect to COVID19. A high risk county means that the number of new daily cases is either increasing or staying the same. This means that we have to continue to be vigilant in our fight against the virus. Nothing should be taken lightly. The safer at home mandate as well as the mandatory face covering continues to be in effect. BIS board advises all community members to continue to exercise all precautionary measures and CDC safety guidelines when outside to help minimize the spread of virus.
Jazakum Allah Khairan for your continued support and patience.
BIS BOARD
Oct 9, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS Community,
The state of Alabama extended the face covering ordinance until November 8th. Please continue to wear your face mask when in public and when you come to the masjid. BIS leadership continues to do what is best for our community members to keep us all safe. Jazakum Allah Khairan for your continued patience and for upholding all safety guidelines and procedures.
On the Masajid capacity update, Homewood capacity is now 90 brothers and 10 sisters. Please continue to utilize BISAPP for your Jummah registration.
Jazakum Allah Khairan.
BIS Board
Oct 2, 2020
Dear BIS community, This is a friendly reminder that Hoover masjid accommodates up to 200 people for Jummah. 160 people inside and 40 outside under the pavilion. If Homewood or Westside are full, please come to Hoover as there are more spaces in the Masjid. JAK
Sept 25, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS Community,
This is a friendly reminder that the Hoover Masjid can accommodate 160 people inside the masjid for Jummah this includes the inside Mussalah and the tiled multipurpose rooms. There are additional 40 spots outside under the pavilion.
The Homewood masjid continues to accommodate 45 people inside the Mussalah, Westside accommodates 45 people.
InshaAllah please continue to keep our masajid safe by following all the safety rules listed in the Jummah registration confirmation email.
Sept 18, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum dear community members, the following are some updates regarding Jummah prayer in the Hoover Masjid.
- The Hoover Masjid capacity for Jummah now is up to 160 people, this is taking into account the social distancing guidelines. The Pavillion outside can also accommodate another 40.
- BIS is strongly encouraging everyone to arrive early and before 1:00pm for Jummah.
- Please be courteous and understanding. This is a friendly reminder, If you arrive after 1:00pm, you must pray in the Pavilion as the masjid door will lock at 1:00pm so that the people who are doing the health screening can attend their Jummah.
- Sisters who are planning to attend Jummah in Hoover please use the small glass room next to the sisters’ Musallah.
Dear BIS community, Please continue to be patient as we work through this difficult time of the pandemic.
May Allah protect you all from any harm
BIS Board
Sept 11, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS Community.
Phase one of reopening the masjid that included one Jummah at each masjid and Fajr and isha have gone well Alhamdulillah. We now have opened the Masajid to pray Thuhr, Asr and Maghreb in the same rooms where we pray Fajr and Isha following the same safety guidelines InshaAllah. Please make sure to continue to bring your mask, prayer rug and Wudu with you and please continue to maintain the six feet physical distancing. Also, please make sure to arrive for Salah before iqama time.
May Allah reward you for your patience as we continue to minimize the risks involved In order to keep all of our community members safe.
Sept 4, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS Community,
Alhamdulillah the masajid reopening plans have gone well so far. We are performing One Jummah prayer at each masjid as well as Fajr and Isha prayers at this time. This was made possible by the will of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’alla and your efforts in following the guide lines set forth by BIS. Please continue to follow the procedures outlined on our website and also on the Jummah registration Emails. Your ability to be patient as we go through this difficult time of the pandemic will continue to keep us safe. May Allah bless you and May Allah protect us all from any harm…Ameen.
August 27, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum BIS community members,
Alhamdulillah and by the grace of Allah we are continuing to keep our masjid open for Farj, Isha and ONE Jummah at each masjid. BIS Board is kindly requesting the following from our community members who wish to pray Jummah at any of the Masajid.
Please make sure to register for Jummah on the website or the BISAPP. Please make sure to ready all instructions with respect to the safety guidelines. In particular, please make sure to bring your confirmation email. prayer rug, face mask and Wudu with you.
BIS has a humble request from those who register. If you don’t think you are going to make it to Jummah after you have registered, please make sure to cancel your registration so that others can register. There should be a cancel link on your confirmation email.
Registration will open after Maghreb each Thursday and will close at Noon on Friday.
Jazakum Allah Khairan and May Allah accept from you all.
Aug 13, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum dear BIS community,
BIS is pleased to announce that our Masajid will open for ONE Friday prayer at each masjid including Jasper beginning on Friday August 21st, 2020.
Due to the safety guidelines which includes the 6 feet physical distancing, the number of Mussaleen will be limited to 65 in Hoover, 48 in Homewood and 40 in Westside. Online Pre-registration is mandatory. Only individuals who pre-register and bring their registration confirmation email to the masjid door will be allowed to enter the masjid for Juma Salah.
If you have registered and received your registration confirmation, you are you required to bring the following with you for admission to Juma:
- Email of registration confirmation
- Your own prayer rug
- Face mask
- Wudu
No persons will be allowed inside the masjid without the above requirements. You must arrive before 1:00 PM for health check and to enter the musallah. Anyone arriving at 1:00 PM will not be admitted and will have to pray outside.
Juma will be held at each masjid between 1:00 pm -1:15 pm including the Khutba. No one will be allowed to enter the masjid after 1:00PM or stay at the masjid after salah is finished.
BIS is also pleased to announce that we will begin having Fajr and Isha prayer at the Masajid starting this coming Saturday August 15th, 2020. You must arrive the masjid before iqama time. Please visit the website for all iqama times.
Pre-registration is NOT required for Fajr and Isha however you are still required to bring your own prayer rug, wear a face mask, and have wudu.
There are teams assigned to assist in conducting the health screening at the front doors and to do temperature checks using touchless thermometers. Please arrive early and be patient.
Please come with Wudu ready to pray. You will not be able to perform wudu at the masjid.
For Hoover, please enter at the sisters’ entrance for Fajr and Ishaa. For Juma please come to the front door as normal.
BIS leadership has thought long and hard about this decision. It should not be interpreted that the pandemic is over by any form of the imagination.
We must continue to be vigilant in fighting this virus by following all the rules. Failure to comply with all Safety guidelines may result in denying someone from entering the masjid and up to closing the Masajid again.
Aug 6, 2020
BIS encourages our community members who have been exposed or know of someone who has been exposed to review the new “Standard Coronavirus Quarantine Order of the Jefferson County Health Officer” published on July 31st. The guidance can be found here. https://www.jcdh.org/SitePages/Misc/PdfViewer?AdminUploadId=825
July 23, 2020
Dear community members. The Alabama Department of Health has a color coded chart the categorizes the risk level of COVID19 for each County. Jefferson County is coded as a VERY HIGH RISK County.
Below is the Alabama Department of Health Guidelines for Very High Risk Counties
Always wear face coverings in public.
Stay at home if at all possible. Avoid non-essential travel.
Avoid in-person visits with people outside your household, if possible.
Avoid groups of any size, if possible, with people outside of your household.
Avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, nursing homes, or other residential care facilities.
As a result of the above, our Masajid will continue to be closed due the very high risk level involved and gatherings.
BIS board advises all community members to exercise extreme caution when leaving the home, and asks that people stay home if all possible.
Friday, July 17, 2020
AssalamuAlaikum dear community members,
The increase in COVID-19 cases continues to make it difficult for us to consider reopening our masajid. According to the CDC and the top infectious disease expert for the country, and our local experts, the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the country has tripled and went from 20,000 new cases daily in May to 60,000 new cases daily in June. The last seven days, Alabama has over 12,000 new cases.
These are very concerning statistics and continue to pose serious risks to our community members. We realize and totally understand the frustration that some of our community members may have with respect to keeping the masajid closed for the time being. We are also frustrated with the entire situation. We must remain vigilant in our approach in keeping each and every member of our community safe. BIS is strongly encouraging everyone to follow all safety guidelines and stay safe.
May Allah protect us all from any harm. We pray to Allah SWT to end this pandemic so we can get back to our Masajid soon InshaAllah.
Sincerely
BIS Board
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Assalamu Alaikum BIS community,
The surge in coronavirus cases in Alabama and elsewhere most recently continues to impose a serious challenge on us, and forces us to keep our Masajid closed at this time and until further notice.
While these decisions are never easy to make as we all miss our Masajid dearly, but we continue to be very concerned about the safety of each and everyone of our community members.
With that being said, this communication serves as the stand that BIS currently takes and will remain in effect until it is determined safe for us to hold our prayers in congregation in the Masajid.
We ask Allah SWT to protect us all from any harm. Please continue to take extra precautions during this difficult time. May Allah bless you all and may Allah reward you for your patience.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Assalamu Alaikum BIS community,
The Birmingham Islamic Society leadership is continuing to explore our options With respect to the masjid reopening and what we can do to help preserve the safety of all of our community members.
We continue to be severely concerned about new Coronavirus cases in our state.
With that said, no date has been set yet as to when we may reopen the Masajid.
We will continue to monitor the developments in Covid19 and will provide weekly updates through this weekly email channel.
Jazakum Allah Khairan for your understanding and patience. Please continue to be vigilant in keeping you and your families safe!
Assalamu Alaikum our Dear Community Members,
We, the BIS Board, pray to Allah that this email reaches you and you are in the best health.
We thank Allah SWT for giving us the strength to stand firm during this difficult time. Your BIS Board is committed, and with the help of Allah SWT stands close to each and everyone of you during this difficult time. We are in this together. If you need anything regardless of what it is, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you all the way, InshaAllah. Please stay safe!!
The following message is from your Imam, Sheikh Sameh Asal.
Respected Brothers and Sisters,
Our Prophet (PBUH) said, “One who stays home during a pandemic while patient, pursuing the reward of Allah, knowing that nothing afflicts him but what Allah has decreed for him will be given the reward equal of that of a martyr.”
Our faith in Allah, reliance on Him, patience and prayers, along with taking precautions, are our tools to face such a hardship.
Assalamu Alaikum
Dear Community Members,
BIS is continuing to monitor the Coronavirus situation and at this time our Masajid remain closed. The following is a new mandate that just came out today that prohibits gatherings of more than 10 persons including limitations on social distancing. Please see below.
Effective immediately, all gatherings of 10 persons or more, or gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between persons, are prohibited until further notice. This Order shall apply to all gatherings, events, or activities that bring 10 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time.
For full details on the full document, please click the link below.
https://www.jcdh.org/SitePages/Misc/PdfViewer?AdminUploadId=722
Please let us know if you have any questions. Your feedback can be made through the BISAPP.
JAK
BIS Board
From the BIS Board:
Sunday March 15, 2020
To ensure the safety of our community members and due to the rise in Coronavirus positive cases reported, BIS is suspending ALL Masajid activities to include performing the 5 daily prayers at the Masajid. BIS is encouraging community members to refrain from holding social gatherings and to perform daily prayers at home.
All the Masajid will be locked until further notice
- BIS will continue to monitor the situation and continue to consult with health professionals for further guidance.
- BIS office will be open from 10am-2pm Monday through Friday unless posted otherwise.
- Red Crescent Clinic is closed until further notice.
Your cooperation will ensure our safety during this difficult time. This message supersedes all prior messages issued by BIS. We ask Allah SWT to protect us all and to guide us to make the best decisions for our community
BIS Board
From the BIS board:
The following BIS functions remain on schedule as normal :
- The daily prayers in congregation at all Masajid. Please sanitize before entering the Musallah.
The following BIS functions have been suspended effective Friday March 13, 2020 until further notice
- Jumah prayers at All Masajid
- Weekend Islamic School
- All weekly lectures at all BIS locations.
- All youth activities including sports activities
For assistance please reach us at the following phone numbers.
- Imam Sameh: 919-323-2762
- BIS office: 205-879-4247
- Brother Khaled: 205-719-7499
Dear community members,
Following the latest developments of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, BIS board has decided to cancel ALL Jummah prayers today, March 13, 2020 until further notice. More communication to follow.
JazaakAllah khair.
BIS Board
Dear community members,
Due to the speed of spread of CORONAVIRUS, BIS is asking that all individuals who have flu type symptoms or coughs as well as ALL individuals who are over 60 years of age not to come to Jummah prayers tomorrow, March 13, 2020. It is extremely important that this directive is followed.
All individuals who are coming to Jummah tomorrow, must stop by the restroom and wash or sanitize their hands before entering the Musallah even if you have wudu.
Your cooperation is critical and expected.
Assalamu Alaikum dear community members,
BIS leadership team is continuing to track the development of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its impact on daily lives.
The World Health Organization on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, declared the outbreak a pandemic. The number of coronavirus cases around the world totaled more than 100,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In the U.S. alone, more than 1,000 cases have been confirmed.
BIS is asking when coming to the masjid to please sanitize your hands before entering the masjid. Please make sure to do this for you and all the members of your family. BIS is also asking that if anyone has any fever to please refrain from coming to the masjid and to please get checked by a health professional as soon as possible. Please sanitize and/or wash your hands after touching anything outside before you return back to your home.
Keeping our facilities clean and sanitized reduces the risk of spreading any virus in our facilities.
Also, due to the continued threat of the coronavirus, BIS is canceling all activities that involve community social gatherings until further notice.
We will continue with our normal daily prayers, jummah prayers, weekly lectures and weekend school schedules as normal.
Updates will be provided as we continue to monitor the virus spread developments.
We ask Allah SWT to protect us all from any harm!
BIS Board