Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 3, 2026.

Celebrate without blocking roads or harming neighbors

In one sentence

Muslims should celebrate within Islamic ethics by protecting public access, respecting neighbors, avoiding waste and pollution, and representing Islam through considerate conduct.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Opens by remembering Gaza’s suffering and the death of Muhammad Abu Jiyab.
  2. Introduces the hadith defining the rights of the road.
  3. Applies those rights to wedding parades that block traffic and disturb neighbors.
  4. Urges Muslims to represent Islam well among Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors.
  5. Addresses July 4 celebrations, fireworks spending, noise, and leftover trash.
Try this week
Give public roads and entrances their rights by lowering the gaze, avoiding harm, returning greetings, and allowing people to pass.
Do not block roads or mosque entrances during wedding parades or other celebrations.
Minimize fireworks and redirect some celebration money toward people facing hunger and oppression.
Clean up fireworks and other waste from streets, parks, and areas around the masjid.
Teach children to care about neighbors and resist blindly following the crowd.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“they are not just numbers they are lives being stolen we remember them and we should keep reminding ourselves with the pain of Gaza”
Mosque Foundation · Bridgeview, IL
Play from 4:39
“it is your right to celebrate it is your right to set the joy that you want but it is not your right to harm others”
Mosque Foundation · Bridgeview, IL
Play from 20:32
“you are the one who sets the example you are the role model of your community of your society”
Mosque Foundation · Bridgeview, IL
Play from 26:47
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that joy is allowed, but it must not become a burden for other people. We should give public roads and entrances their rights by lowering our gaze, avoiding harm, returning greetings, and leaving room for others. At weddings and July 4 celebrations, we should not block traffic, disturb neighbors, waste money, or leave fireworks trash behind. The speaker also asks families to remember people facing hunger in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and elsewhere, and to make young Muslims examples of considerate faith.

  1. How can we celebrate while making life easier for our neighbors?
  2. How can our behavior show people what Islam teaches?