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VA Muslims Join Effort to Build First Masjid in Harford MD

Community News - Community News

Written by Muslim Link Staff

Thursday, 04 February 2010 09:49

Masjid Al-Falaah, the first masjid in Maryland’s rural Harford County needs a lot of help before it can move onto a 5-acre lot in Bel Air purchased last year, so Harford Muslims sought that help about 160 miles away in Northern Virginia.

Chartering a bus to bring its several dozen community members to a fundraising dinner organized by the Harford community in Herndon, Virginia, Masjid Al-Falaah leaders counted on the generosity of a small crowd of Muslims from larger, resource rich communities in the DC and Baltimore region.

About 50 Muslims from the All Dulles Area Muslims’ Society (ADAMS), Islamic Society of Baltimore (ISB), and other masjid communities gathered at the announced event time of 6pm. However, the Harford community’s bus pulled in well over an hour later, prompting keynote speaker Imam Johari Abdul-Malik to engage the audience in an impromptu, interactive discussion on the earthquake in Haiti.

“I don’t think people who come on time should be penalized,” said Abdul-Malik, who is frequently called upon to fundraise for organizations and masajid across the country.

Once the Masjid Al-Falaah bus arrived, the program began with a welcome from Dr. Khan, President of Masjid Al-Falaah followed by a recitation from the Qur’an and a financial update by Dr Mian.

Imam Johari began the fundraising exhorting the small audience to rise to the challenge.

“Tonight we have a very challenging assignment, but if our [faith] is in the right place, we can do it.”

The goal for the event was set at $150,000. To learn more or to donate, visit www.alfalaah.com.