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An artists rendering of the new ICM once construction is completed was
on display at the fundraiser.
Ground Breaking On May 13 Will Be Done By ICM Youth
If people think the upcoming masjid ground breaking at the Islamic Center of Maryland in Gaithersburg is all about more room for prayer, they must have missed ICM's fundraising dinner on Saturday, April 28, 2012.
ICM youth opened the program held at the Bohrer Park Activity Center gymnasium with a recitation and translation of the Qur'an. Afterward, host for the evening and ICM trustee Sayed Naved invited another youth to take the podium.
Shafiq Ahmad, who recently graduated from George Washington University with a biology degree, is the head of the MY ICM (Muslim Youth if ICM) program, began by recognizing and congratulating the youth from the ICM community who participated in the DC Muslim InterScholastic Tournament (DC MIST) last month.
“Our programs cannot succeed without our youth, both inside and outside the masjid, and we need parents to encourage their children to [participate],” said Ahmad. Speaking to the youth, Ahmad said “this is your masjid, you need to be as engaged as your parents.” Ahmad then called up Zaid Bilgrami, one of ICM's youth leaders who led the effort to develop a winning entry into the DC MIST film competition. Bilgrami was given a certificate in recognition of his great contributions to the youth programs at ICM. Fittingly, the DC MIST film entry was about a youth who did not spend time with his father who passed away. The film showed the youth growing up and becoming a father who spent time with his children.
Referencing the film, Sayed Naved asked one of the youth, in the audience to stand.
“Brother Wali grew up in the ICM community. I was his Sunday school teacher. He recently graduated, and now he is married [so] the cycle you just saw in the film is beginning all over again [here at ICM]. We need to build a place that will cater to the entire cycle … we are all working towards the future,” said Naved. Turning to Zaid Bilgrami, the youth who was presented the award, Naved said “I attended the University of Maryland with his father”.
Speaker after speaker repeated the real importance of tonight's gathering: building a place for the youth to grow into tomorrow's ICM leaders.
Even during the overview of the upcoming construction --- a ground breaking is set for May 13 and will prominently feature members of ICM youth – construction sub-committee member Nadeem Ahmad said that even though the “masjid remains at the heart of the community” the Islamic center has “evolved tremendously” and in order to keep people attached to the masjid it must be “multifaceted” and serve their social and educational as well as spiritual needs.
Having received an approved building permit, Nadeem Ahmad described the process going forward and all the parties involved including county departments, engineering firms, architects, fund managers, and ICM management. So far ICM has spent over $400,000 on plans and engineering alone; About $2 million was raised for construction over the last three and a half years and the total cost of the project is estimated to be $6 million.
Sayed Naved told the audience before the fundraising portion of the evening that now the questions need to be posed to all ICM members.
“For so long [ICM management] was asked 'when are we starting construction'. Now the question of 'when' is over and the question is to you – how much are you going to be involved and engaged? This is truly your opportunity.”
Imam Jamil Dasti conducted the fundraising. After reminding the audience of what Allah's says about giving for His cause, Imam Jamil asked the audience if someone was willing to donate $5,000. A hand went up. It was a young man.
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