Economic Crisis Response Team - Homepage

Welcome to the homepage of the Economic Crisis Response Team. The goal of this team is to standup programs and initiatives that will help members of the community manage through the current economic crisis. On this page you'll find links, downloads and other useful material that members can put to use. We've broken the page into three categories:

Tarbiyyat Related Material - it is critical that we do not forget that this crisis, which is seen by many economic experts as the greatest economic crisis in history, occurred during the year of the Khilafat centenary. And we, as Ahmadis knew that this year would be one to be remembered by the ages. Therefore, we must pay heed to the advice of our Khalifa and reflect upon his guidance shared through khuttabas, prayers and quotes from the Holy Quran.

Internal Links and Content - this is material including articles and presentations produced by Jammat members. We will include links to other departments such as Sanat-O-Tijarat and the many useful tools that department has stood up for job seekers and employers.

External Links and Content - this is material produced by non-Jammat members (i.e. Government organizations, media, education institutions) that may of use to you.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Create Personal or Household Bugdet to Control Spending. Get a copy of Budget Template

TARBIYYAT

Prayers from the Holy Quran

1-      'O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table from heaven spread with food that it may be to us a festival, to the first of us and to the last of us and a Sign from THeE; and provide sustenance for us, for THOU art the Best of Sustainers.' (ALMaidah 115)

2-      'Our Lord, bestow on us mercy from Thyself, and furnish us with right guidance in our affair.'  (AL Kahaf 11)

Prayer of Holy Prophet (saw)

1- O Allah, I seek Your protection against hardship and grief, I seek Your protection against the lack of means and laziness; I seek your protection against cowardice and miserliness; I seek Your protection against being overwhelmed with debt and ill-treatment from people. O Allah, make Your lawful things sufficient for me and save me from Your unlawful things. And trough Your mercy make me independent of everything other than You. (for Arabic text please see page 164 of this document).

2- Maybe our Lord will recompense us with something better; we turn to Him Alone (in our loss)

Prayers of Promised Messiah (as)

1- O Living God! O Self-subsisting God! I seek your Mercy (for Arabic text please see page 169 of this document)

2- O Protector ! O Mighty! O Kind God! ( I seek Your protection, your support and Your friendship) (for Arabic text please see page 169 of this document)

Hazoor(aba) has also advised the jamat to read the following prayer abundantly (for Arabic text see page 168 of this document).

RABI KULLU SHA'IN KHADIMOKA RABBI FAFAZNA WANSURNA WARHAMNA

 Lord, everything serves Thee; then Lord protect us and help us and have mercy on us.

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Welcome & Introduction

What Islam & Ahmadiyyat has to say about our current economic situation

•·         A historical perspective

•·         What does Islam say about economics, interest, promotion of the social good

Speaker: TBD

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Inflation & Recession

What does this mean to you?

•·         Managing finances - back to the basics

•·         Smart shopping - Groceries, daily needs, airlines tickets, clothing etc.

•·         Telephone/Cell phone, cable, satellite tv

•·         Gas - paying cash vs. credit card, smart ways to save

•·         Gas/Electric bills - how to save money / other options if you cant pay

Speaker: TBD

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Debt

Mortgages:

•·         How they work? What's the best option for you?

•·         Refinancing

•·         What the bank can do for you if you can't make your payments

•·         How to avoid forclosure

•·         HUD

•·         Buying vs. Renting

Credit Cards:

•·         What credit card companies can do for you if you cant make your payments

•·         Paying the minimum payments: pros & cons / 25 day interest free grace period

•·         Transferring to zero balance credit card

•·         Using your credit properly: taking advantage of them, various perk programs

•·         Lowering your credit card interest rate / payment protection programs

•·         Your credit report , credit ratings and what it all means

Cars:

•·         What if you can't make your payment?

•·         Luxury vs. what you really need

•·         Car washes/Rims/tinted windows/radio: is it really necessary?

•·         Oil changes every 3000 miles vs. 5500 miles

•·         Basic maintainance and things you can do to extend the life of your car

Speaker: TBD