COVID-19 Update
​
​
April 11, 2021
​
Taraweeh prayer will start on Monday night, April 12th at the masjid. We will have Isha prayer and Taraweeh in the gym and surrounding area with social distancing in place. You must wear a mask at all times while on the premises. Please come in a state of wudu and bring your own prayer mat. Please abstain from food or drink on the premises. Keep a distance when you are leaving and do not socialize inside the building.
In order to minimize the time in the building due to the pandemic, Taraweeh prayers will be 8 rakaat. Isha Iqamah time is 9:15 PM sharp, followed by Taraweeh prayer and Witr. The khatera will be during our daily virtual program at Maghrib.
​
​
​
May 30, 2020
​
UWMS community members have been working tirelessly assisting families in need by delivering food, groceries and zakat distribution. In a joint effort with ICNA, we have distributed food and supplies to the community and other Masjids. Alhamdulillah, we are meeting this challenge as a community. Please reach out to UWMS should you or someone you know needs assistance.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
March 13, 2020
Assalam Alaikum,
This email supersedes our previous email dated March 11, 2020. The UWMS board of Trustees after deliberation and based on the advisory message of The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) has decided to suspend all programs and activities at the UWMS Community center till further notice and close the community center. This now includes all daily congregational prayers including Jummah.
​
Click here for the the joint statement issued by the above mentioned organizations.
Insha’Allah, we will weather the current community spread of COVID-19 safely, following aggressive and prudent measures. Pray to Allah SWT to guide us with wisdom and bless us all with His ultimate protection.
Regards,
UWMS Board of Trustees
​
​
​
March 11, 2020
​
Programs Suspension 3/12 - 3/22 Except Jummah and Daily Prayers
Assalam Alaikum Dear Brs. & Srs.,
We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 community spread situation in Westchester County. As you all know, New Rochelle is designated as the epicenter in Westchester for community spread of the disease and many UWMS members live in New Rochelle and surrounding towns.
As a proactive measure for the overall safety of our members, the Board of Trustees has decided to suspend all regular programs at UWMS Community Center effective Thursday, March 12, 2020 through Sunday, March 22, 2020. This suspension excludes Jummah and regular daily prayers.
To be specific, UWMS Saturday school, weekday Quran classes, adult education, potlucks, community social programs, outreach, interfaith and other scheduled activities are suspended.
Jummah prayers and daily prayers will continue unless notified by State/County or other agency to suspend all gatherings at the center. We strongly advise elderly people to take additional precautions and stay home when they are ill or simply to avoid large gatherings out of an abundance of caution. We also request all to follow the safety guidelines emailed earlier last week (see below). To ensure safe environment at the masjid we request all Jummah attendees to consider bringing their own prayer rug and sanitizer for personal use.
We pray to Allah SWT to keep all of us in His ultimate protection and guide us with wisdom.
​
Regards,
UWMS Board of Trustees
UWMS School Administration
​
March 5, 2020
Assalam Alaikum,
The UWMS board of trustees and the school administration take the safety of our students and community members seriously. As you all must know, we now have cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the New York metropolitan area including Westchester county and it is expected that more cases of COVID-19 will be identified in the future.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recent updates on precautions that local communities can take in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Novel coronavirus is a new virus strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 remains low. However, if widespread cases were to occur in our area, most people are likely to experience mild to moderate symptoms with a full recovery. The most common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
By practicing healthy habits, you can protect yourself and those around you. The CDC recommends the following:
-
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer made with at least 60% alcohol.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
-
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
-
Stay home when you are sick.
-
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
-
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
-
CDC does not recommend people that are well to wear face masks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the virus to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern or have been in contact with persons who have traveled to these areas or believe they have been exposed to the virus should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment.
New York State Department of Health has set up a web page (click here) as well as Hotline Phone Numbers to call for more information:
-
People under self-quarantine or exposure to the known case, call (866) 588-0195
-
NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline (888) 364-3065
-
Westchester County COVID-19 Information dial 211 from your mobile
At this point, the UWMS Saturday school and other community activities continue as planned. We are monitoring the situation closely and will make changes, as needed, based on guidance from local and state officials. If you develop flu-like symptoms and are not short of breath, the best thing you can do for yourself and your community is to stay home. We advise elderly people to take additional precautions and stay home when they are ill or simply to avoid large gatherings out of an abundance of caution.
We are following best practices to sanitize areas of high contact such as tabletops, door handles, etc. in the school space. Parents and caretakers play an important role in teaching children healthy habits. We encourage all families to take some time to remind children about handwashing and respiratory etiquette. We also remind families to have their children stay home when they are sick.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@uwms.org should you have further questions. We will share any changes to UWMS's regular activities.
May Allah SWT keep you and your family in good health. Jazak Allah Khair.
UWMS Board of Trustees &
UWMS School Administration
​
​
​