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36-625: Dar Al-Hijrah was founded in 1983 by a group of university students, mostly of Arab origin, who had broken away from the Islamic Center of Washington . It was one of the first mosques to be established in Northern Virginia, near Washington, D.C. It is also one of the area's largest and most influential mosques. A small group of families, with help of the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), purchased

72-541: A member of the mosque's executive committee, was convicted in November 2007 of contempt and obstruction of justice for refusal to testify before a grand jury with regard to Hamas, and sentenced to 135 months in prison. The mosque is known for being politically militant. Jeffrey Goldberg , in his 2008 book Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror , characterizes Dar Al-Hijrah as an openly political mosque that has conducted militant Friday sermons, especially prior to

108-531: A senior al-Qaeda recruiter linked to various terrorists, including three 9/11 hijackers, the accused Fort Hood shooter, and the accused Christmas Day 2009 bomber. Six days after the September 11 attacks, he wrote on IslamOnline suggesting that Israeli intelligence agents might have been responsible for the attacks, and that the FBI "went into the roster of the airplanes and whoever has a Muslim or Arab name became

144-596: A tweet by the Middle East Media Research Institute in June, which links to the video, originally posted on the mosque's YouTube channel. The mosque issued a statement condemning Shaker Elsayed's remarks and stating that FGM is "prohibited in Islam as well as the laws of the land." Anwar al-Awlaki was Imam at the mosque between January 2001 and April 2002. He was popular with young people and

180-475: Is engaged in interfaith projects, and participates in civil rights work. Its social services department provides food, clothing, and other household items to needy local families of all faiths. During the Islamic month of Ramadan , Dar Al-Hijrah free meals nightly to all, regardless of faith; over 800 meals each night. These include a weekly Iftar for Muslims incarcerated in nearby prisons. Also during Ramadan,

216-542: Is open for group tours. Jamal al Barzinji and Samir Salah both were among Dar Al-Hijrah's original founding members. Al Barzinji was listed as Dar Al-Hijrah's original trustee while Salah would later become the mosque's president (as of 2008). Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti, a Palestinian imam that had previously served at mosques in New Jersey, was Dar Al-Hijrah's imam from 1995 to 1999. Dar al-Hijrah's previous imams at that point did not speak English and lacked engagement with

252-614: The September 11 attacks . On national television, Bush quoted from the Qur'an and worked to assure Americans that the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful. In 2015, a group of Muslim activists, politicians, and writers issued a Declaration of Reform which announced the founding of the Muslim Reform Movement organization to work against the beliefs of Middle Eastern terror groups. That year Asra Nomani and others placed

288-769: The beheadings of American hostages Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl , he said: beheadings are not mentioned in the Koran at all. According to Islamic penal law, killers will be sentenced to death, but the means of execution are not mentioned. ... we don't condone this. They are not following Islam. They are following their own whims. And in 2004, speaking of Palestinian suicide bombers , he said "if certain Muslims are to be cornered where they cannot defend themselves, except through these kinds of means, and their local religious leaders issued fatwas to permit that, then it becomes acceptable as an exceptional rule, but should not be taken as

324-627: The Dar Al-Hijrah mosque at the same time in 2001 as Nawaf al-Hazmi and Hani Hanjour (two of the September 11 hijackers ). Al-Hazmi and Hanjour had attended the mosque for several weeks during 2001 when Anwar al-Awlaki was imam there; a law enforcement official said that the FBI would look into whether Hasan associated with the hijackers. The mosque issued a statement condemning the Fort Hood shootings, and al-Awlaki's praise of them. In addition,

360-535: The Declaration on the door of the mosque. In addition to the mosque, the center contains a library and classrooms where courses on Islam and the Arabic language are taught. The center's board of governors is made up of various ambassadors. Around the building are arrayed the flags of the Islamic nations of the world. Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh (January 1, 1945 - April 14, 2024)

396-500: The MAS and the mosque, and the lack of inclusiveness in the congregation. In 2004, Omeish called for greater inclusion of young people and women in the congregation. He said that the board had been examining proposals to reduce its close ties to the MAS and increase diversity on the board. The mosque holds prayers five times daily, and Friday prayer attendance exceeds 3,000 people. In September 2004, about sixty percent of its membership

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432-675: The Muslim Brotherhood. He said the founders felt "we should cut relations with the [Brotherhood] abroad and regard ourselves as Americans. ... We don't receive an order from any organization abroad, and [they] have no authority to tell us what to do". He also helped launch the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, Virginia , and later was the Imam of the mosque between August 2003 and May 2005. Commenting in 2004 on

468-500: The September 11 attacks. The Washington Post has called its leaders "outspoken in criticizing U.S. law enforcement actions against Muslims and U.S. policies in the Middle East." In May 2017, Shaker Elsayed, the head imam of the center, said in a video that he recommended removing a young girl's labia and clitoris, a procedure known as female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM). The comments were brought to light by

504-773: The Sudan." From 1983–1989 and 1994–2003, El-Sheikh was the imam at the Islamic Society of Baltimore in Catonsville , Maryland . El-Sheikh was instrumental in founding the Muslim American Society in the US, in 1992, along with some other former members of the Muslim Brotherhood. He said that when they founded the society the founders' goals had changed, in that they no longer needed to operate secretly as they had in other countries when they were members of

540-527: The United States, succeeding Ambassador Mahmoud Hassan. The project of building a Mosque lay dormant during the war years and was not revived until Ambassador Rahim took his duties as ambassador in Washington, D.C. , in 1948. The Egyptian ambassador, Kamil Abdul Rahim was appointed president of the mosque foundation and its executive committee. He was instrumental in assembling all of the heads of

576-416: The accredited emissaries of Muslim countries in the U.S. He made several trips to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Muslim countries to solicit funds for the building the mosque. Howar (Mohammed Issa Abu Al Hawa, 1879–1982) and other Muslim diplomats helped found and provide early funding to a committee to build a mosque in the U.S. capital. In 1948, Howar, placing a silver dollar on the ground for luck, began work at

612-406: The center sponsors interfaith and civic iftar dinners for local officials from the police force, fire department, and emergency medical services as well as various faith groups to promote mutual understanding. It also distributes tens of thousands of dollars in zakat every Ramadan. Several sources indicated that Nidal Hasan , the perpetrator of the November 5, 2009 Fort Hood shooting , attended

648-422: The currently serving directors. Abelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar , a Palestinian later convicted of criminal contempt and obstruction of justice for refusal to testify in a trial related to the funding of Hamas in the US, was a member of the executive committee. Dar Al-Hijrah has a seven-member executive committee; every two years four committee members are appointed by the mosque's board of directors, while

684-599: The hijacker by default." In 2003 House Intelligence Committee member Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) described him as "more than a coincidental figure" in the attacks. According to the Washington Post , board member Esam Omeish was involved in hiring al-Awlaki . Omeish said in 2004 that he was convinced that al-Awlaki "has no inclination or active involvement in any events or circumstances that have to do with terrorism." Al-Awlaki resigned from Dar Al-Hijrah in early 2002 due to post-9/11 media attention that distracted

720-531: The imam from his duties, according to the mosque's outreach director. Islamic Center of Washington The Islamic Center of Washington is a mosque and Islamic cultural center in Washington, D.C. It is located on Embassy Row on Massachusetts Avenue just east of the bridge over Rock Creek . When it opened in 1957, it was the largest mosque in the Western Hemisphere. In 1948, Egypt appointed Kamil Abdel Rahim as Egyptian Ambassador to

756-700: The mosque to become the executive director of the Fiqh Council of North America , an association of Islamic legal scholars. Shaker Elsayed , a Shariah law scholar born in Cairo, Egypt , has been the resident imam at Dar Al-Hijrah since June 1, 2005. From 2000 through 2005 he was the Secretary General of the Muslim American Society. He unequivocally condemns terrorism and states that the mosque actively publicizes that condemnation to

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792-406: The mosque to speak with media, to defend Islam, who can talk about the rights of Muslims. It would be difficult for us if we had an imam who didn't understand the process here." During his tenure at Dar Al-Hijrah, Abdul-Malik commented on criminal cases against several American Muslims, including that of one Dar Al-Hijrah congregant. Ahmed Omar Abu Ali , who had worshipped and taught at Dar Al-Hijrah,

828-563: The mosque's grounds on June 19, 1983. The mosque was first established in a house that is still on the center's campus, and now serves as a food bank . Approximately 30 congregants would attend the weekly jumu'ah (Friday prayer) during the mosque's early years. The current building, on a 3.4 acre plot, was finished for $ 5 million in 1991 ($ 11,184,950 today) with financial help from the Saudi Embassy's Islamic Affairs Department. In 1993, some area residents attempted to force closure of

864-421: The mosque, saying it violated Fairfax County zoning ordinances . Worshipers believed the attempt was fueled by anti-Islamic bigotry. However, despite the mosque's humble beginnings and early challenges, Dar Al-Hijrah grew to become a powerhouse mosque by 2000, serving the thriving and diverse Muslim community outside Washington, D.C. The FBI Director of Counter-Intelligence for the Middle East, Gordon M. Snow ,

900-474: The other three are elected by its membership. Imams Shaker Elsayed and Johari Abdul-Malik serve on the executive committee. Esam Omeish , former president of the MAS, is a member of the board. The mosque had 250 voting member families as of September 2004. Dar Al-Hijrah is active in community outreach and service, and promoting mutual understanding in the local area. It participates in community food banks, back-to-school supply, community clean-up efforts,

936-498: The phone number for the mosque was found in the apartment of one a planner of the September 11 attacks , Ramzi bin al-Shibh in Hamburg , northern Germany. Ahmed Omar Abu Ali , who was convicted of providing material support to al Qaeda and conspiracy to assassinate President George W. Bush, worshiped and taught Islamic studies at the mosque around that time, where he was also a camp counselor. Abelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar ,

972-673: The project also came from the American-Muslim community. The site was purchased in 1946 and the cornerstone was laid on January 11, 1949. The building was designed by Italian architect Mario Rossi . The mosque was one of three buildings taken over in the 1977 Hanafi Siege . Muslim gunmen holding hostages made several demands, including the demand that the movie Mohammad, Messenger of God be destroyed because they considered it sacrilegious." The mosque has been visited by dignitaries, including several presidents. President George W. Bush visited on September 17, 2001, only days after

1008-719: The public. The mosque's nine-member board of directors consists of the secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the president of the Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA), the general manager of the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), the president of Muslim American Society (MAS), the president of the Dar Al-Hijrah Executive Committee, and four other members. Directors serve for five-year terms, and new directors are elected by

1044-434: The site. The mosque was completed in 1954 and dedicated by President Dwight Eisenhower on June 28, 1957. The Washington diplomatic community played a leading role in the effort to construct a mosque. Egypt donated a bronze chandelier and sent specialists who wrote Qur'anic verses to adorn the mosque’s walls and ceiling. Tiles came from Turkey along with the experts to install them. Persian rugs came from Iran. Support for

1080-638: The youth. With Al-Hanooti's departure, mosque leaders specifically sought out to hire an imam that could attract young people and non-Arabic speakers. Brooklyn-born convert-to-Islam Imam Johari Abdul-Malik was previously the Director of Outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Northern Virginia from June 2002 until June 2017. Speaking on his role at the mosque, he said, "It's important that there's an American at

1116-628: Was Arab, with an increasing percentage coming from countries such as Somalia, Morocco, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. Activities in addition to prayers include lectures, conferences, youth recreation and outdoor activities (such as camping and field trips) through its Youth Center, women's classes, health fairs, and financial assistance. It also operates an Islamic School called the "Washington Islamic Academy in Northern Virginia". In addition, Dar Al-Hijrah co-sponsors an annual civic picnic, along with other Northern Virginia organizations, at which candidates for local office meet Muslim voters. Dar Al-Hijrah

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1152-409: Was a frequent, weekly attendee of the services in spring and summer 2001, while also completing his master's degree 3 miles away. As of 2004, the mosque was associated with the Muslim American Society , a non-profit that advocates for Islam in the U.S.; the MAS has been linked to the Muslim Brotherhood by way of its founders. Some members of the congregation disagreed with the close association between

1188-672: Was able to connect with the Muslim community of Northern Virginia. Al-Awlaki was considered a moderate during his time at Dar Al-Hijrah, including publicly condemning the September 11 attacks and Al-Qaeda . He was invited to speak at the United States Department of Defense and became the first imam to conduct a prayer service for the Congressional Muslim Staffer Association at the U.S. Capitol . He has since been accused of being

1224-493: Was charged in 2005 by U.S. prosecutors with plotting with members of al-Qaeda to assassinate President George W. Bush . Abdul-Malik accused the government of singling him out to stir anti-Muslim sentiment. Sheikh Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh , formerly a Muslim Brotherhood member in Sudan , and one of the founders of both the mosque and the Muslim American Society (MAS), was the mosque's imam between August 2003 and May 2005. He left

1260-621: Was granted a scholarship to come to the United States in order to continue his higher education. He received his Masters of Comparative Jurisprudence (MCJ) from Howard University in 1980, his LLM from the National Law Center at George Washington University in 1981, and his Ph.D. in Comparative Jurisprudence from Temple University in 1986. His 1986 Ph.D. dissertation at Temple University was on "The applicability of Islamic penal law ( qisas and diyah ) in

1296-652: Was the Sudanese American executive director of the Fiqh Council of North America . El-Sheikh was born in Sudan. El-Sheikh graduated from the faculty of Shari'ah and Law of Omdurman Islamic University , Sudan, in 1969. In 1973 he was appointed by the Department of Justice to serve as a judge for the Shari'ah Courts. While in the Sudan he was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood . In 1978, he

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