An Enchanting Evening
By Shaista Khan

 

In a beautifully serene setting at the Santa Monica home of Ruksana and Saleh Mohommed, Cirque du Soleil, which means circus of the sun in French, performed with grace and passion.

The event was held to raise funds for the New Horizon Westside School, established in 1995 to create an academic institution which nurtured “a positive American Muslim identity and a devotion to God through the teachings of the Qur’an (the holy book of the Muslims) and the Sunnah (the non-controversially relayed traditions of the seal of the messengers, Prophet Muhammad) and a strong commitment to family, community and humanity”, (Courtesy New Horizon Westside School).

The Board and members came up with an entertaining idea to bring Cirque du Soleil to the venue. The guests, including some prominent members of the community, were treated to a blend of acrobatics and choreography gracefully enacted by creative characters performing to a concoction of international live music.

The guests - some 100 - seated in the shade of the beautiful eucalyptus trees were treated to a menu donated and prepared by Chef Gazala Dinshah. The simple Chinese lanterns that hung and the creative centerpieces were all donations and the work of the mothers of the children who attend the school. Throughout the evening, hosts Ruksana and Saleh Mohommed were accompanied and assisted by their gracious family - the Adaya’s.

Dusk fell and the flicker of the Chinese lanterns gently swaying in the light breeze, made it an enchanting Saturday evening at the Ruksana and Saleh Mohammed residence.

I end this piece with the quoted hadith of the month (New Horizon School Westside website): Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Be conscious of Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe out, and behave well towards people.” - Tirmidhi

 

 

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