[NFB-Muslims] posting from the messages from the what's list

Sat Jul 11 03:12:41 UTC 2026

ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ!

I really can type fully illustrated Arabic 🤪! ("Fully illustrated" means
that it contains all of the vowels and pronunciation diacritics.)

My trip back from Austin was eventful. Both planes were diverted due to a
medical emergency onboard, and when we finally got to Boise, a raging
wildfire was lighting up to mountains just North of the city! Fortunately,
wildfires go uphill and not downhill, so there was no imminent danger to
the city. However, air quality was pretty bad for a few days. On the
upside, while stuck on airplanes waiting for medical and technical teams to
do their work I was able to daydream and reflect on my very positive
experiences with the NFB Muslims at the convention.

I think this year's seminar was fabulous, but I am a bit biased. Changing
the seminar day so it is different from Friday Jummah may add complications
and interference with other sessions.

Comments in this thread so far point to issues that are important for
members, and once more people add their thoughts and ideas we could do a
poll to determine which ideas are of most interest. Once we have a list of
four or five ideas from that poll we can start organizing.

The ideas regarding Costco shopping, a suite for sisters and perhaps
brothers, and especially communicating with President Riccobono about
improving Halal food options are also worth working toward. Additionally,
if the hotel restaurants know there will be purchases, we may be able to
convince them to improve their offerings.

I am supportive of pointing parents to the NFB Parent's group, but also to
having a subgroup of Muslim parents who can share ideas and strategies.
Parenting in general is one thing, and parenting youth into Islam may be
another thing. Several members can add their unique experiences.

For next year, we can certainly look toward ensuring that materials are
available in preferred languages for members of the group.

I don't currently have anything scheduled for 18th (Saturday) or 19th
(Sunday) July, but weekend schedules are pretty dynamic. I'll make an
effort to attend.

Best wishes from 105 degrees and 12% humidity in Boise, Idaho!

DON WINIECKI

Handid Braille Services

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On Fri, Jul 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM Heather Albright via NFB-Muslims <
nfb-muslims at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> As-salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, dear brothers and sisters,
> I pray everyone has returned home safely from this year's NFB National
> Convention.
> First, I would like to ask for your feedback regarding our Blind Muslims
> seminar this year.
> 1.
> What did you like about this year's seminar?
> 2.
> What could we improve for next year?
> One suggestion that came up was to hold the seminar on a different day
> from Jumu'ah prayer. By combining the seminar with Jumu'ah, many people
> who wanted to attend the seminar were unable to do so. Insha'Allah,
> separating the two events next year may allow more people to participate.
> I also believe we need to build a larger outreach team instead of
> relying on only one or two people. We need brothers and sisters who are
> willing to contact masajid and Islamic centers well in advance of the
> convention. It would also be beneficial to prepare flyers in several
> languages, Insha'Allah, including Urdu, Arabic, Bengali, Somali, and
> Spanish, so more members of our community can learn about the work of
> the NFB Blind Muslims Group.
> Another idea is to create short video testimonials about the NFB Blind
> Muslims Group. Brother Nadir, would it be possible to help organize
> these through Islam by Touch on YouTube? It would be especially
> meaningful if brothers and sisters could share their experiences in
> their own languages. Hearing someone's story in your native language can
> have a powerful impact and help others feel welcomed and represented.
> We also need more people who are willing to actively serve our
> community, not just talk about what we should do. During the convention,
> I met several blind Muslims from the Austin area. They shared that they
> had chosen not to participate in our group because they felt their
> previous requests for help regarding issues within the Islamic community
> had gone unanswered. I don't know who they contacted, and they did not
> reach out to me personally, but it was very disheartening to hear. We
> should all strive to ensure that no one seeking support feels ignored.
> If someone contacts you and you are not able or do not feel comfortable
> helping them directly, please don't simply dismiss them. Instead, let
> the group know or pass their contact information to another member who
> can make the initial connection. Together we can make sure people
> receive the support they are seeking.
> I also met several blind Muslim parents who are looking for support that
> they have not been able to find through existing Islamic parent groups.
> I believe this is an area where we, as the NFB Blind Muslims Group, can
> make a real difference. We should take ownership of supporting blind
> Muslim parents and their families, Insha'Allah.
> On another note, I recently spoke with the ScriptTalk team. Their
> accessible prescription program supports several languages. Insha'Allah,
> I plan to bring the ScriptTalk device to our upcoming Islamic Health
> Fair so I can demonstrate this free service and also share information
> about the NFB Blind Muslims Group with our community.
> Finally, the NFB of Texas State Convention is coming up this November in
> San Antonio. Since the convention begins on a Friday, I need to let
> Norma know who will be attending, whether you would like halal meals at
> the banquet, and how many people will need prayer space and Jumu'ah
> accommodations.
> If you are planning to attend the Texas State Convention, please let me
> know by August 1st, Insha'Allah, whether you will be attending, whether
> you would like a halal meal at the banquet, and whether you will need
> Jumu'ah and prayer accommodations.
> I would also like to ask our Texas members to help begin outreach to
> Islamic centers across the state. We have connections in San Antonio,
> Austin, the Dallas area, and the Houston area, and together we can start
> inviting more blind Muslims to participate.
> Brother Nadir, would you be available to organize Jumu'ah again this
> year? If not, I know an imam who has already told me he would be willing
> to assist, Insha'Allah.
> People often say, "Let's go build the Federation." I would like to add:
> Let's also go build a more inclusive Ummah, Insha'Allah.
> Jazakum Allahu Khayran for your feedback, your service, and your
> commitment to supporting blind Muslims throughout our communities.
> fee amanAllah
> As-salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
> I would like to propose an idea for next year's convention, Insha'Allah.
> I would like to suggest that the sisters in our group consider sharing a
> suite at the convention hotel. It should be able to accommodate around
> 10 sisters, depending on the room configuration. A suite would also
> provide a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker, making it easier to
> store and prepare snacks and light meals during the convention.
> Insha'Allah, we could purchase halal snacks ahead of time, and perhaps
> some of the Muslim sisters in the Austin area would be willing to
> provide a meal or two during the convention. Another possibility would
> be to seek a sponsor to help with the cost of food.
> I also think we should work with the convention organizers well in
> advance to improve the halal banquet meal. This year's meal left much to
> be desired. If possible, I would like to explore whether a Muslim-owned
> catering business could provide the halal banquet meal, assuming they
> are able to contract with the hotel. I will check into that, Insha'Allah.
> If we know how many halal meals are needed well ahead of time, rather
> than only a few days before the banquet, I believe we will have a much
> better chance of receiving a higher-quality meal.
> Having a suite would also help keep many of us together at the
> convention hotel instead of being spread across overflow hotels and
> having to walk back and forth in the hot weather. It would give us a
> place to gather, share meals, support one another, and strengthen our
> friendships throughout the convention.
> To the brothers, I encourage you to think about whether a similar
> arrangement might work for you as well, Insha'Allah.
> I would love to hear everyone's thoughts and any additional ideas you
> may have.
> Jazakum Allahu Khayran.
> 3rd message from what's up, we are hoast a zoom call on July 18 or 19 to
> discuss the above issues. If you cant attend, please e-mail me with your
> suggestions at
> halbright1981 at gmail.com let me know if you want to share with the group
> or if you want to stay anomymous. I have not found who wants Saturday or
> sunday or i can do both days inshallah.
> salaam wa-nor sister Heather
>
>
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