As Salaam Alaikum, 
 
I pray each of you had an enjoyable Thanks-Giving break. The essence of gratitude in Al-Islam is the realization and acknowledgement that we owe Allah our devotion and it’s because of Him that we have received small and large benefits. Your illuminated minds are the best gifts from Allah. So as you prepare for reading week and ultimately your finals, remember to remain relaxed and focused. Reciting this and other du'as will be tremendously helpful and calming:

O Allah help me to remember You, to thank You and to worship You properly; My Lord increase my knowledge.

Dear brothers and sisters, be consciously aware that Allah hears the call of every supplicant, so call on Him. Lastly, we the CML staff most certainly pray that each of you do exceptionally well on your exams. We're rooting for you!!! 

Appreciate each of you, 
Imam Waheed
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY (12/6): WEEKLY JUM'AH
WHERE: Duke Wellness Center, Rooms 148-149
WHEN : 1pm-1:30pm
WHO: Ahmed Hareedy
TOPIC : Standing Against Injustice: Said Ibn Jubair - Part 2

Please note : For those who are not able to make the main 1pm jum'ah time, there will be a shorter jum'ah from 12:15-12:30pm in Wellness Rooms 148/149. If you have any questions or accommodation needs, please email Brother Joshua .

IMPORTANT: Next week's jum'ah, 12/13, will be the last jum'ah hosted by the CML this year. We will resume jum'ah services on Friday, 1/10.

We urge students and community members who are present over the break to attend jum'ah at the Interfaith Chapel in the Duke Medicine Pavilion ( 1:30pm, located at 10 Duke Medicine Drive, main level, between information desk and cafe) or Ar-Razzaq Islamic Center (1pm, located at 1009 W. Chapel Hill St.).
SUNDAY (12/8): GRADUATE STUDENT GATHERING: STUDY BREAK
WHERE: Duke CML
WHEN : 2pm-4pm
The Graduate Muslim Students Association invites you to take a mental break, enjoy study snacks, pick up a finals survival kit, and engage with peers to prevent burnout this finals season!
MONDAY-FRIDAY (12/9-12/13): THE BREAKFAST CLUB
Students are coming together Mondays through Fridays to pray Fajr in congregation at the Center for Muslim Life. Please stop by for Fajr any Monday through Friday.

On Wednesdays, Joshua will be cooking breakfast for the group, but bring your own breakfast every other day! This coming week, the group is praying Fajr at 6:20am.
QUR'AN READING & KITABCONNECT
IMPORTANT : Monday Qur'an Reading and Wednesday KitabConnect will resume January 13th.
TUESDAY (12/10): CML STUDY BREAK: SIP & PAINT
WHERE: CML
WHEN : 10am-4pm

Take a study break this reading period and stop by the Center for Muslim Life on Tuesday to paint, sip on some tea (we're getting Somali shaah!), relax with friends and take snacks or coffee to go!
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CATCH A (STUDY) BREAK
It's finals time! Be sure to check out any of the many other opportunities to take a break from studying offered on and around campus!
MSA EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
MSA FRIDAYS (12/6): LDOC ICESKATING
WHERE: CML
WHEN : 7PM-10PM

Come out for FREE ice skating with the MSA! We will meet at the CML and drive to the center in Hillsborough. Please be punctual and arrive at the CML by 7pm sharp so we can organize rides. Also, please post on this event page if you are able to give rides.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
EMBODIED LEARNING SUMMIT: Body image is not just how we perceive our bodies, but also how we feel about ourselves and how we feel in our bodies. This year’s summit will focus on yoga as a tool to promote body positivity and to address issues relating to body image. No matter who you are or what you look like, you belong. This practice is for everyone. We hope to see you there!

What is the Embodied Learning Summit?
-->A full-day summit that uses discussion, practice, and education of mindfulness and yoga to address social justice issues; this year specifically addresses body positivity.

How do I attend?
-->Visit embodiedlearningsummit.com to register to attend and to learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
FRIDAY (12/6): KWANZAA & SOUL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION LUNCH at Mary Lou William Center. 12pm-2pm. Click here to learn more about Kwanzaa.
SUNDAY (12/8): CELEBRATION OF WINTER SOLSTICE at Sonja Haynes Stone Center at UNC, Chapel Hill. 6pm-8:30pm. $25 general admission; $10 students. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact: Somayyeh Soltanian Zadeh: s.soltanian.zadeh@duke.edu , Parisa Shirzadi: shirzadi@live.unc.edu , or Ms. Forooz Salim (919-539-5709, Forooz_salim@yahoo.com , or online here.

SUBMIT AN EVENT OR ANNOUNCEMENT
To submit an event or announcement to be considered for the CML Weekly Newsletter, please fill out this form out by Wednesdays at 11:59pm . Newsletters are sent Thursday evenings, but only include non-CML-affiliated events for the upcoming week.
STAY CONNECTED
Click below to join our undergraduate student text reminder group!
Click below to join our graduate student text reminder group!