Assalamu alaikum! We would like to extend to you our congratulations on your achievements and welcome you to Harvard. Your first semester comes at an exciting time, for there is no better time to enter into the Harvard community than in the midst of Ramadan and autumn. The trees are gorgeous, the weather is tolerable, and the air is full of excitement and good cheer. In the spirit of the Holy Month, we share with you this hadith;

It is narrated that the messenger of Allah (May peace and mercy be upon him) said ‘You will see the believers in their mutual kindness, love and sympathy just like one body. When a limb complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever’. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

We in the Harvard Islamic Society strive to embody the sentiments of this hadith (prophetic tradition) in our every day lives. We are a non-sectarian religious group whose purpose extends far beyond aiding Harvard-area Muslims only in the spiritual and religious aspects of their lives. Our aim is to aid in the functional, the academic, and the personal aspects as well. As a community, we strive to create a family-like environment that encourages mutual trust, respect and friendship.

HIS offers a number of social programs, such as weekly halal dinners and nightly catered Ramadan iftars (fast-breaking meals), to provide down time from the hectic schedules we all keep. In addition, we offer spiritually-enriching programs such as weekly halaqas (study circles), tarawih prayers, and a musallah (prayer space) stocked with a small library collection. HIS also hosts periodical intellectual “Fireside Chats” during which students participate in engaging discussions on contemporary issues affecting Muslims and Islam. On top of all this, the Harvard Islamic Society also offers tajwid (proper Quran-reading) classes for both men and women and outings to hike and ski around Boston, as well as many other opportunities for enriching the mind, body and spirit.
Being away from family can be very difficult, but Insha’Allah we can help lessen those hardships and augment your educational experience through our efforts. We invite you to become a part of our ‘body’ and to benefit us as much as we may benefit you.

Sincerely yours,
The Harvard Islamic Society