Islamic Center of Maryland needs $1.1M more to start building youth center this summer
About 500 community members packed the Gaithersburg Hilton on March 13, 2016 to make sure the Islamic Center of Maryland can finally begin construction on a much awaited two-story, 45,000 square foot Islamic School and Youth and Community Center building.
The youth center – phase one of a two phase master plan – features a large gymnasium, daycare, commercial kitchen, and classrooms. A large masjid is planned for phase 2.
With about $2 million in the bank, ICM needs to raise an additional $1.1 million dollars to complete the outer structure of the building, a construction project estimated to take 8-12 months according to Board of Trustees member Sayed Naved. ICM received the Montgomery County building permit last month and aims to award the construction contract before the end of March 2016.
Naved told the gathering that the youth center building will be occupied in sections, with complete occupancy and operation by 2019 when ICM hopes to start Al-Noor, a full-time Islamic elementary school.
Board of Trustees Chairman Wael Elkoshairi said the theme of the dinner “the time has come” didn't only apply to completing the expansion project, but it also meant “the time has come to repudiate the vile racism” being spread by politicians and also the time has come “to put our small differences aside and look at our large similarities ... those things that we agree on.” Elkoshairi was the master of ceremonies for the evening.
The evening's first guest speaker was Imam Javid Bhaiyat, the Religious Director of the Islamic Community Center of Laurel. Emphasizing the role parenting and society have on the spiritual health of children, and on either preserving or corrupting their natural inclination to worship Allah called the “fitrah”, Imam Javid told the audience it was the job of the Muslim community to “keep the pure smiles” on the faces of the children.
Guest speaker Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said ICM's expansion project fits into the national trend with the number of masajid almost doubling over the last 11 years to about 2,300 masajid nationwide.
He also emphasized the dangers and challenges facing the American Muslim community with the rapid rise and acceptance of anti-Muslim sentiment.
“We have to be vigilant, methodical, and [we must] be aware of the challenges around us … Islamophobia is becoming mainstream, politicians are pushing hatred and intolerance against Muslims in this country,” said Awad. “[This Islamophobia] is not coming from the margins, it's coming from elite politicians, [and this] is a new phenomenon.” Whereas extremists like ISIS are rejected by the overwhelming majority of the world's Muslims, these “elite politician” extremists are being accepted by a significant percentage of the American public, said Awad. Asking the audience to raise their hands if they intend to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, Awad looked out into a sea of hands. “Alhumdulillah, this is the answer, we have to prove them wrong [that Muslims don't vote],” he said.
The CAIR Executive Director also called on American Muslims to become more visible in society, and to “organize, build coalitions, and conduct community service” to give back to America. To loud applause, he also asked Muslim relief organizations to “shift priorities” and spend the $250 million raised annually on social welfare and relief projects in the United States. “We are a minority, let our good work and generosity define who we are,” said Awad.
Sayed Naved delivered a short PowerPoint presentation, asking the audience to take out their smart-phones so they can visit URLs and get involved with ICM's online services on the spot. He urged attendees to become paid members of ICM, relating how an elected official Naved visited asked “how many members” ICM has. While several thousand Muslims attend ICM's eid services, and despite the dinner hall having at least 500 guests, only about 150 names are listed on the official ICM membership list, said Naved.
The final guest speaker was Imam Mikaeel Smith of the Makkah Leaning Center in Anne Arundel County.
“When we say the time has come, because of 'Muslim Standard Time' that might not resonate with Muslims too well. It's way passed time, we are way behind schedule … the whole country is talking about you,” Imam Mikaeel told the gathering. He commended ICM leaders for having the vision to “build for tomorrow yet focusing on today.” He urged the community to sacrifice whatever is needed to leave a legacy for the coming generations of Muslims, likening successive generations to a track team running a relay race.
“You depend on the [runner] before you to put everything on the track, we are all going to be tired, we are in a rely race, and what we have to pass onto the next generation is Islam ... give everything you have and run your heart out … you have to have fear that if I don't run as fast as I can, my team will lose. [In my] next generation, Islam might leave my family. We need to have hope, because the next generation – when they see you did everything you could, that you ran your heart out – then when they take the baton from you, they will run their heart out,” explained Imam Mikaeel. “I'm not a market analyst, but right now is the time to invest in Islam,” he said.
During the fundraising portion of the evening, volunteers walked around with mobile credit card scanners, swiping donor cards and providing receipts on the spot. One donor sponsored the main door of the youth center for $25,000, while at least two donors sponsored entrance doors for $11,000 each. The final amount raised was not available as of this report.
Comments powered by CComment