The privacy policy for the Shah-e-Najaf IOS application.

Privacy Policy for Shah-e-Najaf Mobile Application

Effective Date: October 16, 2025
Last Updated: October 16, 2025

Introduction

Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center operates the Shah-e-Najaf mobile application (the “App”). This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of information when you use our App.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about our data practices. This policy describes what information we do and do not collect, how the App functions, and your rights regarding your information.

By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information Collection and Use

Information We Do NOT Collect

We want to be clear: We do not collect, store, transmit, or process any personal information from users of this App.

Specifically, we do NOT:

  • Collect your name, email address, phone number, or any contact information
  • Track, store, or transmit your location data
  • Access your device’s contacts, photos, or other personal files
  • Use cookies, web beacons, or similar tracking technologies
  • Create user accounts or profiles
  • Store any user-generated content
  • Collect device identifiers (IMEI, MAC address, etc.) for tracking purposes
  • Share any information with third parties for marketing or advertising
  • Use analytics services that collect personal information
  • Employ any form of behavioral tracking

How the App Functions Without Collecting Data

Our App provides valuable services to the Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center community without requiring any personal information:

1. Prayer Times Calculation

  • Prayer times are calculated entirely on your device using astronomical algorithms
  • The calculation uses hardcoded coordinates for Brentwood, New York (40.7812°N, 73.2468°W)
  • No location services are accessed or required
  • No data is sent to our servers or any third party
  • The calculations are performed using publicly available mathematical formulas based on the position of the sun

2. Events Calendar

  • Event information is retrieved from our publicly accessible Google Calendar
  • This calendar feed is available to anyone on the internet
  • No personal information is required to view events
  • The App simply displays this public information in a user-friendly format

3. Announcements and Blog Posts

  • Content is retrieved from our public WordPress website (shahenajaf.org)
  • All announcements and blog posts are publicly available content
  • No authentication or personal information is required to view this content
  • The App acts as a reader for publicly available information

4. Daily Quran Verse

  • Verses are retrieved from the Al-Quran Cloud public API (api.alquran.cloud)
  • This is a free, open API that does not require authentication
  • No personal information is transmitted when retrieving verses
  • Each request simply asks for a random or specific verse, similar to visiting a website

5. Push Notifications

  • Notifications require your explicit device-level permission
  • They are managed through Apple’s Push Notification Service
  • We only use notifications to inform you of new content (announcements, events, blog posts)
  • You maintain complete control and can disable notifications at any time through your device settings
  • No personal information is collected through the notification system
  • We cannot identify individual users through notifications

Third-Party Services

While our App does not collect your personal information, it does interact with certain third-party services to provide functionality. Here’s a detailed explanation of each:

Google Calendar

Purpose: To display event information
What’s Shared: Nothing. We access a public calendar feed that anyone can view.
Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
 Data Collection: Google may log requests to their servers (standard web server logs), but these are not linked to you personally through our App.

WordPress (shahenajaf.org)

Purpose: To display announcements and blog posts
What’s Shared: Nothing. We retrieve publicly available content.
Privacy Policy: Our website privacy policy applies
Data Collection: Standard web server logs may record access, but no personal information is transmitted by the App.

Al-Quran Cloud API

Purpose: To display daily Quran verses and translations
What’s Shared: Nothing personal. Just API requests for verse content.
Privacy Policy: Al-Quran Cloud Privacy
 Data Collection: Standard API access logs, not linked to personal information.

PayPal (For Donations Only)

Purpose: To process charitable donations to Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center
What’s Shared: When you choose to donate, you are redirected to PayPal’s website. At that point, PayPal’s privacy policy applies.
Privacy Policy: PayPal Privacy Policy
 Important Note: Donation processing happens entirely on PayPal’s platform. We do not collect, store, or have access to your payment information. PayPal provides us with donation receipts but does not share your payment details with us.

Apple Push Notification Service

Purpose: To deliver notifications about new content
What’s Shared: Device tokens (anonymous identifiers) are managed by Apple
Privacy Policy: Apple Privacy Policy
 Data Collection: Apple manages the technical infrastructure. We cannot identify individual users.

Children’s Privacy

Our App does not collect any information from anyone, including children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction).

The App contains:

  • Religious educational content (Quran verses, Islamic teachings)
  • Community event information
  • Prayer time calculations
  • Blog posts and announcements

All content is appropriate for all ages and is similar to what would be available in a religious center or place of worship. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has somehow provided us with personal information through the App, please contact us immediately so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

Device Permissions

The App may request the following device permissions:

Notifications Permission

  • Why: To send you alerts about new announcements, events, or blog posts
  • What We Access: Only the ability to send notifications through Apple’s service
  • What We Don’t Access: We cannot access notification settings, read other apps’ notifications, or identify you personally
  • Control: You can revoke this permission at any time in Settings → Notifications → Shah-e-Najaf

Internet Access

  • Why: To retrieve content (events, announcements, blog posts, Quran verses)
  • What We Access: Public APIs and publicly available content
  • What We Don’t Access: Your browsing history, other apps’ data, or personal information
  • Control: This is required for the App to function but involves no personal data transmission

We do NOT request or use:

  • Location services
  • Camera access
  • Microphone access
  • Photo library access
  • Contacts access
  • Calendar access (we only display our events, not access your calendar)
  • Any other device permissions

Data Security

While we do not collect personal information, we still take security seriously:

App Security:

  • The App is built using Apple’s secure development frameworks
  • All network communications use HTTPS/TLS encryption
  • The App undergoes Apple’s review process before release
  • Regular updates address any security vulnerabilities

Third-Party Security:

  • All third-party services we use (Google, WordPress, Al-Quran Cloud) employ industry-standard security measures
  • Payment processing through PayPal uses bank-level encryption
  • We only integrate with reputable, established service providers

Your Device Security:

  • Keep your iOS updated to the latest version
  • Use device passcode/biometric protection
  • Download apps only from the official App Store

Your Rights and Choices

Right to Information

You have the right to know what information is collected about you. As stated throughout this policy, we do not collect any personal information.

Notification Control

You have complete control over push notifications:

  • Enable or disable in the App’s Notifications Settings
  • Control system-wide in iPhone Settings → Notifications → Shah-e-Najaf
  • Manage what types of notifications you receive

Donation Information

If you make a donation through PayPal:

  • Your transaction is governed by PayPal’s privacy policy
  • You can request information about your donations from PayPal
  • We receive only basic donation receipts (amounts and dates, not payment details)

Right to Withdraw Consent

  • You can stop using the App at any time
  • Uninstalling the App removes all local data
  • No information persists on our servers because we don’t collect any

Data Portability

Since we don’t collect or store your data, there is no data to port or transfer.

Right to Object

You can object to any data processing, though we emphasize again that we do not process any personal data.

International Users

The App is primarily designed for the Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center community in Brentwood, New York, USA. However, anyone worldwide can download and use it.

Important Notes for International Users:

Prayer Times:

  • Calculated specifically for Brentwood, NY coordinates
  • May not be accurate for your location if you’re elsewhere
  • No location services are used; times are fixed to Brentwood, NY

Content:

  • All content (events, announcements) is relevant to the Brentwood, NY community
  • Content is in English
  • Times and dates are in Eastern Time (ET)

Legal Compliance:

  • This privacy policy complies with U.S. privacy laws
  • We do not collect data, so GDPR, CCPA, and similar regulations regarding data collection do not apply
  • If you’re in a jurisdiction with specific privacy requirements, our non-collection policy exceeds those requirements

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in our practices
  • Changes in applicable laws
  • New features or services
  • Feedback from users or regulators

When We Update:

  • The “Last Updated” date at the top will change
  • Significant changes will be announced through:
    • An in-app notification
    • A notice on our website
    • An announcement in the App

Your Continued Use: Continued use of the App after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Review Regularly: We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center
Jafria Association of North America (JANA)

Mailing Address:
 124 3rd St.
Brentwood, NY 11717
United States

Website:
 www.shahenajaf.org

For App-Specific Issues:
 Please use the Contact form in the App or visit our website.

Response Time:
 We strive to respond to all privacy inquiries within 7 business days.

Additional Information

Open Source Components

The App may use open-source software components. These components are governed by their respective licenses and do not affect this Privacy Policy’s commitments regarding personal information.

App Store Privacy Labels

Apple requires apps to provide “privacy nutrition labels” in the App Store. Our label indicates:

  • Data Not Collected: We collect no data linked to you
  • Data Not Tracked: We do not track you across apps or websites
  • No Third-Party Tracking: Third parties do not track you through our App

Compliance and Certifications

While we do not collect data requiring compliance with most data protection regulations, we design our practices to exceed industry standards:

  • Privacy by Design principles
  • Data minimization (collecting nothing is the ultimate minimization)
  • Transparency in our operations
  • User control over device permissions

Questions About Third-Party Practices

While we don’t collect your information, the third-party services mentioned in this policy may have their own data practices:

  • Google: Review their privacy policy for information about Google Calendar
  • PayPal: Review their privacy policy before making donations
  • Apple: Review their privacy policy regarding Push Notifications

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

Summary

In Plain English:

This app is designed to serve the Shah-e-Najaf community without compromising your privacy. Here’s what that means:

 ✅ We don’t collect your information – No names, emails, phone numbers, nothing.
✅ We don’t track you – No analytics, no behavior tracking, no monitoring.
✅ We don’t sell or share data – Because we don’t have any data to sell or share.
✅ Everything works locally – Prayer times calculated on your phone.
✅ Public content only – Events, announcements, and blog posts are public information.
✅ You’re in control – Enable or disable notifications anytime.
✅ Secure by design – Modern security practices protect your experience.

If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy while using our App, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to serve our community while respecting your privacy.

Thank you for being part of the Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center community.

This privacy policy was last updated on October 16, 2025, and is effective immediately.

App Store Listing

Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center

Community • Prayer • Events

Description 

Stay connected with the Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center community in Brentwood, New York. Everything you need to stay informed about prayers, events, and community activities—all in one beautiful, easy-to-use app.

DESIGNED FOR THE COMMUNITY

Whether you’re a regular member or visiting for the first time, this app helps you stay engaged with Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center. Get prayer times, never miss an event, receive important announcements, and access daily spiritual content—all from your iPhone.

⏰ ACCURATE PRAYER TIMES

  • Shia calculation method specifically configured for Brentwood, NY
  • All five daily prayers: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha
  • Sunrise time included
  • Calculations performed locally on your device
  • Beautiful, easy-to-read interface with color-coded times
  • No internet required for prayer time calculations

📅 NEVER MISS AN EVENT

  • Complete calendar of upcoming programs and gatherings
  • Weekly events like Friday Jumu’ah prayers
  • Special occasions: Muharram commemorations, Ramadan programs, Eid celebrations
  • Majlis schedules with speaker information
  • Youth programs and educational activities
  • Community social events
  • Automatic updates when new events are added

📢 STAY INFORMED

  • Real-time announcements from center administration
  • Important community notices and updates
  • Program changes or cancellations
  • Special requests and community needs
  • Optional push notifications so you never miss important news
  • Control exactly what notifications you receive

📖 DAILY SPIRITUAL CONTENT

  • New Quran verse every day with English translation
  • Surah and verse reference included
  • Beautiful presentation with Islamic design elements
  • Automatic daily refresh at midnight
  • Perfect way to start your morning with divine guidance

✍️ BLOG & ARTICLES

  • Islamic teachings and insights from scholars
  • Community news and stories
  • Educational content about Shia Islam
  • Event recaps and photo highlights
  • Articles written by community members and guest scholars
  • Easy-to-read format with rich text and images

💝 SUPPORT THE CENTER

  • Secure donation processing through PayPal
  • Support as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
  • Help maintain our beautiful community center
  • Fund programs and activities
  • Contribute to community services
  • Every donation makes a difference

ℹ️ ABOUT SHAH-E-NAJAF

  • Learn about our history since 1991
  • Our mission and values
  • Community involvement and activism
  • Contact information and directions
  • Meet our leadership and volunteers
  • Understand our commitment to inclusivity

🔔 SMART NOTIFICATIONS

  • Choose what matters to you: announcements, events, or blog posts
  • Control everything from one convenient settings screen
  • Enable or disable with a single tap
  • Never feel overwhelmed—receive only what you want
  • Manage notification preferences anytime

🎨 BEAUTIFUL DESIGN

  • Modern, elegant interface with Islamic-inspired design
  • Dark navy theme with gold accents
  • Smooth animations and transitions
  • Easy navigation with intuitive menus
  • Optimized for all iPhone and iPad sizes
  • Accessible design for all users

🔒 YOUR PRIVACY MATTERS

  • No personal information collected—ever
  • Prayer times calculated locally on your device
  • No tracking or analytics
  • Completely ad-free
  • Read our full privacy policy in the app
  • Your privacy is our priority

✨ FREE FOREVER

  • Completely free to download and use
  • No hidden costs or in-app purchases
  • No subscription required
  • No advertisements
  • Optional donations to support the center
  • Built with love for our community

ABOUT JAFRIA ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA (JANA)

Founded in 1991, JANA operates the Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center in Brentwood, New York, serving the Shia Muslim community on Long Island. Our center provides a welcoming space for worship, education, and community gathering. This app extends our commitment to serving the community by making information accessible wherever you are.

PERFECT FOR:

  • Community members who want to stay connected
  • New members looking to get involved
  • Parents coordinating family attendance at events
  • Youth staying informed about programs
  • Anyone interested in learning about Shia Islam
  • Visitors to the Brentwood area looking for Islamic services

SUPPORT & FEEDBACK

We’re constantly improving this app based on community feedback. Have suggestions? Found a bug? Want to see a new feature? Contact us through the app or visit our website at shahenajaf.org.

Download now and stay connected with your community!

What’s New (Latest Version)

Version 1.0 – Initial Release

Welcome to the Shah-e-Najaf Islamic Center app!

This is our first release, bringing you:

  • Accurate Shia prayer times for Brentwood, NY
  • Complete events calendar with automatic updates
  • Real-time announcements from center administration
  • Daily Quran verse with English translation
  • Community blog and articles
  • Easy donation processing
  • Beautiful, modern design
  • Complete privacy protection

Thank you for being part of our community. We’re excited to serve you better through this app!

Future updates will bring even more features based on your feedback.