It’s devastating to leave a place of worship and resource center wherein family life, marriage counseling, youth services, humanitarian involvement and social ills affecting the community people were addressed. The Islamic Research and Humanitarian Services Center of America (IRHSCA) was not only a masjid and learning center but all of the above matters where adequately catered for. IRHSCA was at the center of Capital Heights, Maryland and was in a strategic position welcoming all shades of people as it serves as a succor, a beacon of hope and a unifying force. Political meetings and representation of the views of its community members were also championed by this great institution.
The core leadership of the masjid was mostly converts to the religion of Islam. Character assassination was condemned as everyone was made to feel welcome; there was no distinction between people regardless of their origin. Collaboration with different masjid and community engagements were key activities to bridge gap and build good relationship. Different scholars from other masjids would often come around to share knowledge. Such was IRHSCA’s usefulness to the community it surrounded.
In an exclusive interview with the Muslim Link at the Prince George’s Muslim Association’s location in Lanham Severn Road in Maryland, Talib Abdul Samad, the officiating imam of the Islamic Research and Humanitarian Services Center of America (IRHSCA) in a very somber mood narrates the institution’s journey to being evicted from its One Chamber Avenue, Capitol Heights in Maryland its premise of 16-years.
The building of One Chamber Avenue was originally occupied by someone named General Haasan Jeru Ahmad; he had a lease agreement with the owner of the property as he wanted to start his own organization geared towards redevelopment of African Americans during 1960-1970. He couldn’t afford the payment agreed, so he offered IRHSCA to occupy his space by holding meetings and offering jumuah salaat.
Things didn’t go on as planned with the owner and General Ahmad and the lease wasn’t paid. The building was up for lease and when offered the opportunity, IRHSCA grabbed it and became the new tenant at the top level of the building for $1,500 till 2003 whilst their congregation continues to grow. A Shura Board (an Islamic committee equivalent to Board of Trustees) was established to manage the affairs of the institution. The need to own the entire building was necessitated by the continuing growing congregation as there was a church located at the lower level of the building which symbolizes IRHSCA’s religious tolerance. However, the sale contract for the full property was awarded at a sum of $3,600 for the entire building which IRHSCA won. Full ownership and mortgage started in (2003) after the contract agreement and all other previous occupants were removed from the building including the church to make room for expansion.
After a brief sojourn to Egypt to pursue further education, Imam Samad noted that when he returned he met an accumulation of mortgage bills by IRHSCA to the sum of $4,610. This amount was to be forwarded and paid at the end of the contract as late payment. A Confess judgment had been signed by IRHSCA without knowing its implication which gives the realtor right to circumvent court procedure for repossession. Two of those judgments were signed by IRHSCA, without knowing its real consequences and which became the start of its eviction process when payments due was not honored on time. ‘’Each of the confess judgment signed annulled the previous contract without IRHSCA’s knowledge and the original contract was an annuity from 2003 to 2022,’’ Imam Talib lamented.Jacob Brentzil who was the owner of the property became ill and gave responsibility to his children to handle his property. Brentzil had had a very good working relationship with IRHSCA and was very satisfied with the way his property was maintained. When the children took over the affairs of the property this relationship was not to be so as they changed all arrangements previously held. They were not lenient with late payment of fees and demanded harshly. A letter was sent to IRHSCA stating they have not made 19 payments.IRHSCA made several fundraisers to measure up to its 19 payments obligation that had been due. Most of the amount needed was almost completed and only two payments were left to complete the 19, when the Brentzil children sent in another letter for foreclosure of the property.
According to Imam Samad, IRHSCA were of the view that they were very close to taking full ownership of the property but the confess judgment clause came up. The amount of the balance two payments due was not communicated and IRHSCA had hoped the end was near to take full ownership. In the midst of the disagreement to know the balance due from the two payments left, IRHSCA contacted a lawyer to champion its cause in fighting for the ownership of the property. The lawyer advised for further payments to be halted in (2016) and documents were submitted from previous payments since (2003) to determine what the amount will be to pay off the building.
IRHSCA’s documentation was verified through bank statements and certified checks since (2003) totaling $463,000 which means technically the building was almost paid for. The entire sum of the sale contract was around $ 520,000. IRHSCA went to court on the Confess judgment and the judge ruled in their favor that the clause was more for residential than a religious building. On that note IRHSCA was optimistic that due amount was to be completed granting right to own the entire building. IRHSCA recalled going to town hall meetings wherein they had identified their occupied building to build an outdoor park. They were being encouraged to sell off the building but since they were present and involved in some of these meetings, they retorted that unless there could be an equitable replacement then they could sell but there was none.
The owner Jacob Brentzil died during the lawsuit process and the case ended at the time. The children asked for repossession and IRHSCA filed a counter suit that reflected payments made. The property was eventually auctioned by the Brentzil children and auction information was displayed in a newspaper which IRHSCA never laid eyes on and were expecting a sign post at the building site about the auction.
IRHSCA filed an opposition to the repossession and the court rejected the application. IRHSCA had previously filed that both cases be consolidated as one prior to the auction. It was granted but however the mail and motions were sent to the lawyer’s office he vacated 10 years ago and the mail was returned to sender. Upon knowing that the lawyer filed another motion to stop the repossession which was denied, instead they received a letter from court that Brentzil’s children have been granted right to repossession of the property and they needed to vacate building by May 6, (2019).
Even though the Brentzil’s children had earlier requested for IRHSCA to vacate their premise since August, (2018) signed by their lawyer, IRHSCA had ignored it on the grounds that it was not a valid request made by a judge. Current repossession information was emailed from the children to IRHSCA’s lawyer to vacate premise. Due to the court proceedings IRHSCA had already prepared mentally to vacate the building but wanted to fight to the last as most of their property had been taken off the building and kept in storage centers.
IRHSCA had requested that Brentzil children at least to allow them in the premise to observe and complete the month of Ramadan in conducting prayers and having iftar (an Islamic name for a meal during fast breaking). This request was adamantly refused and on May 6, IRHSCA officially left the premise of one Chamber Avenue. A building which created so many memories in the lives of everyone that crossed its path; it was a shining star in guiding the path of people.
A temporary site has been rented at the Hampton Conference center in Capital Heights for jumuah prayers only. IRHSCA is in negotiation for another property across its old building at one Chamber Avenue. There has already been a site identified for $525,000 for a 4,000 square foot, two property and 13 lots for expansion and growth. IRHSCA is currently organizing fundraising drive to pay off the building.
To support IRHSA - Gofundme.com/relocateIRHSCA / Cashapp $IRHSCA
