Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | A Leading Mosque & Community Hub in Virginia
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Centre is more than just a mosque; it is a living institution of social influence, spiritual reflection, and community service, situated in Falls Church, Virginia, only a short drive from Washington, D.C. It has served as a valued neighbor to the larger Northern Virginia community and a place of prayer for thousands of American Muslims for many years. Let’s discover the remarkable elements that define this mosque.
The History of Dar Al-Hijrah
Northern Virginia was burning with ambition and faith in the early 1980s. A small number of university students, mainly of Arab heritage, left the Islamic Center of Washington with the goal of creating a new place for community, education, and worship. The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center was established in 1983 as a result of that dream.
It started out modestly. On June 19, 1983, these committed families bought a piece of land in Falls Church with funding from the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT). Their initial mosque was a modest home that is unchanged today and is currently used as a food bank rather than a magnificent building with a minaret on top. Only around 30 people would attend Friday prayers at that time.
But the vision became more ambitious and the path of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Centre shows a lot of ups and downs. The Saudi Embassy’s Islamic Affairs Department provided financial support for the construction of a new mosque structure on a 3.4 acre plot of land in 1991. This $5 million taking on is currently one of the biggest and most significant mosques in Northern Virginia.
Challenges were not far behind. Following zoning regulations, locals attempted to close the mosque in 1993, making claims that many believed were driven by anti-Muslim rivalry. However, Dar Al-Hijrah persevered and by the early 2000s had developed into an important hub for community and spirituality. By 2004, after internal conflict, the mosque had been connected with the Muslim American Society. Some attendees demanded an inquiry of the mosque’s connection with MAS as well as increased diversity and inclusion of women and young people. Esam Omeish, a board member at the time, advocated for leadership diversity and reform in the same year.
A site where tradition meets transformation and where the echoes of its modest past continue to resonate in its powerful present, Dar Al-Hijrah remained consistent despite all of these changes.
Community at the Core: Life and Service Beyond the Walls of Dar Al-Hijrah:
The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center serves as a bustling community center in addition to being a place of worship. More than 3,000 people attend its Friday services and five daily prayers. Muslims from a wide range of nations, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Morocco, and Somalia, are served by the mosque. The center provides women’s classes, health fairs, kids programs, outings, and financial assistance for people in need in addition to prayers. In order to link Muslims with local officials, it also co-hosts community events like civic picnics and operates an Islamic school called the Washington Islamic Academy.
Guiding Lights Through Time:
Dar Al-Hijrah has had enthusiastic and varied leaders since its inception. Samir Salah and Jamal al Barzinji, among other early members, contributed to the center’s expansion. The mosque has been led by esteemed imams over the years, such as Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, who was well-known for his outreach efforts, and Imam Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti. Sheikh Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh, another important figure, subsequently became a member of the Fiqh Council of North America. Imam Shaker Elsayed, an expert in Islamic law, has been the resident imam since 2005. On behalf of the mosque, he has advocated for peace and spoken out against violence.
Inside Dar Al-Hijrah: Organization, Assistance, and Evaluation:
The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Northern Virginia is a multifaceted organization that is actively involved in spiritual life, volunteer work, and occasionally political debate. It is more than just a place of worship. Here’s a closer look at its outreach initiatives, governance, and the difficulties that have influenced its public perception.
Mission of Impact:
Dar Al-Hijrah is well-known for its proactive involvement in religious discussion and community outreach. The mosque hosts events like:
- Clothing drives and food banks
- Events for community clean-ups
- Campaigns for school supplies
- Social services for people of all religions
Every night during the holy month of Ramadan, the mosque serves more than 800 free meals to everyone, Muslim or not. In an effort to promote greater harmony and understanding, it frequently hosts Iftar dinners for local civic departments and interfaith organizations.
The mosque emphasizes its role in helping the less fortunate by distributing tens of thousands of dollars in zakat throughout Ramadan.
Storms in the Spotlight:
Over the years, Dar Al-Hijrah has been enmeshed in high-profile conflicts despite its robust community presence:
Fort Hood Shooter Connection: According to reports, the mosque may have been visited by Nidal Hasan, the 2009 Fort Hood shooter, in 2001. Nawaf al-Hazmi and Hani Hanjour, two 9/11 hijackers, also temporarily attended the congregation led by then-imam Anwar al-Awlaki during that time.
A former youth instructor and member of the group, Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, was found guilty of aiding al-Qaeda and planning to kill President George W. Bush.
In 2007, executive committee member Abelhaleem Ashqar was given a prison sentence for not testifying before a grand jury over Hamas finance in the United States.
Once considered a moderate imam at Dar Al-Hijrah (2001–2002), Anwar al-Awlaki eventually became a noted figure connected to al-Qaeda recruitment and multiple international terror operations. He was first commended for his religious work and eloquence, but he eventually came under FBI inspection and was connected to extremist propaganda on the internet.
Shaker Elsayed, the senior imam, made disturbing comments in a video in 2017 that seemed to condone female genital mutilation (FGM). Following a public protest over the remarks, the mosque rejected them and stated that FGM is illegal under both U.S. law and Islamic beliefs.
In My Perspective:
More than just a mosque, in my opinion, Dar Al-Hijrah is a vibrant representation of a community that tries to help, develop, and be understood. Rays of resilience, communication, and service came out of the controversy’s shadows.By striking a balance between tradition and modern criticism, as many religious institutions do, it serves as a reminder that identity, like faith, is rarely one-dimensional.
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