Privacy Policy for Shah-e-Najaf Mobile Application

Effective Date: October 9, 2026
Last Updated: October 9, 2026

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 Collect

We do not collect personal information such as your name, email address, phone number, or location.

The only information associated with your use of the App is an anonymous push notification token. This is a random identifier generated for your device so that notifications can be delivered to it. It is:

  • Not linked to your name, identity, or any account
  • Used only to deliver notifications you have allowed
  • Not used for advertising, analytics, or tracking
  • Not shared with anyone for marketing purposes

Information We Do NOT Collect

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 for advertising or tracking purposes
  • Share any information with third parties for marketing or advertising
  • Use analytics or advertising services
  • Employ any form of behavioral tracking

How the App Functions Without Collecting Personal Data

Our App provides 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 use 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 delivered using Firebase Cloud Messaging (a Google service) and Apple’s Push Notification Service
  • To deliver notifications, your device is assigned an anonymous push token (see above)
  • We use notifications only to inform you of new content (announcements, events, blog posts)
  • You can disable notifications at any time through your device settings
  • We cannot identify individual users through notifications

Third-Party Services

While our App does not collect your personal information, it interacts with certain third-party services to provide functionality. Here is 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.

Firebase Cloud Messaging (Google)

Purpose: To deliver push notifications about new content
What’s Shared: An anonymous push token and the basic technical information needed to deliver messages to your device (such as your device type and IP address, which Google processes as part of delivering any internet request). No names, emails, or contact information.
Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy and Firebase Privacy Information
Data Collection: Used only to deliver notifications. We do not use Firebase Analytics or any advertising features, and the token is not used for tracking or advertising.

Apple Push Notification Service

Purpose: To deliver notifications about new content
What’s Shared: Device tokens (anonymous identifiers) are used by Apple and Firebase to route notifications to your device
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 personal 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 and Firebase’s services
  • What We Don’t Access: We cannot 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) and to receive notifications
  • 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

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

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, Firebase, 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 in this policy, the only information associated with your use of the App is an anonymous push notification token.

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

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
  • You can turn off notifications at any time in your device settings
  • Uninstalling the App removes all local data; the anonymous push token for your device then stops working and is removed by Firebase in the ordinary course of its operations

Data Portability and Deletion

We do not collect or store personal information, so there is no personal data to port or delete. If you would like your push token removed, uninstall the App or contact us.

Right to Object

You can object to any data processing by turning off notifications or uninstalling the App. You may also contact us with any concerns.

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 are 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 is designed to comply with U.S. privacy laws
  • Because we collect no personal information beyond an anonymous push token, we believe our practices meet or exceed the requirements of privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA
  • If you are in a jurisdiction with specific privacy requirements, please contact us with any questions

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 a notice on our website and/or 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.

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 Collected: A device identifier (push notification token), used only for app functionality (delivering notifications) and not linked to your identity
  • Data Not Used for Tracking: We do not track you across apps or websites
  • No Advertising or Analytics: No advertising or analytics services are used in the App

Questions About Third-Party Practices

The third-party services mentioned in this policy may have their own data practices:

  • Google / Firebase: Review their privacy policy for information about Google Calendar and Firebase Cloud Messaging
  • 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 is what that means:

✅ We don’t collect personal information – No names, emails, or phone numbers. Push notifications use an anonymous device token only.
✅ We don’t track you – No analytics, no advertising, no behavior tracking.
✅ We don’t sell or share data – We have no personal data to sell or share.
✅ Everything works locally – Prayer times are 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 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 9, 2026, and is effective immediately.