Masjid Al Islam Fundraising Session at United Against Poverty Conference

www.masjidalislam.net

Masjid Al Islam:

"Fighting Poverty By Our Presence"

In November 1987(1408 AH) Masjid Al-Islam was established to provide a place
of worship for Muslims in the greater New Haven (CT) area. Originally, eight Muslim
men and women began this endeavor. At first, they were able to rent a small storefront
in New Haven where they held the five daily prayers, Friday prayers and other Islamic
activities. Within two years (1989/1410 AH), this multi-ethnic community grew so rapidly that a larger storefront was rented in Hamden, CT, a short distance from the original
storefront. Shortly thereafter, it was clear that a larger, more permanent space was needed.
Consequently, efforts were made to fundraise and purchase the current Masjid building
located at 624 George Street (February 1995/1415 AH) in the Greenwich district of innercity New Haven directly across from the Hospital of Saint Raphael (now part of the Yale
New Haven Health System). Since then, the Masjid has acquired four adjacent properties
which are used as a parking lot extension (620 George Street), educational center (47-49
Gilbert Avenue), Imam's residence (53 Gilbert Avenue) and a proposed larger Masjid/
community center (55 Gilbert Avenue). Currently, approximately 250 people from various
cultural backgrounds attend Friday prayers, and there are five daily prayers and Islamic
education programs conducted every day.

Since its inception, Masjid Al-Islam has endeavored to be "a model community
for humanity" (part of its vision statement adopted in 2007/1421 AH) by actively working to improve community life for all people. Consequently, its activities have included
"fighting poverty by our presence" by engaging in the following activities:

• Preparing and serving a meal once per month at a local homeless shelter
(1987 -- present)
• Organizing anti-drug marches and substance abuse prevention efforts
(1987- present)
• Participating in the CT Food Bank's "Food for Life Program" distributing
fresh food and produce to Muslims and others who live in the neighborhood. (2008 - 2009)
• Supporting and participating in the organization of New Haven Policeregistered Block Watch #311 (1997- present)
• Sponsoring a free health clinic for all people in the neighborhood in cooperation with students at Yale Medical School and the New Haven Health
Department (2010)
• Designing and implementing financial literacy workshops at the beginning
of the US economic downturn open to community members and staff of the
Hospital of Saint Raphael (2008)
• Taking part as a founding member (along with Y.E.S., the Masjid's Youth
Empowerment Squad) of the Reclaiming Our Communities Coalition
(ROCC) which has developed several initiatives focused on reducing gun
violence among youth in the inner city of New Haven (2011-present)
• Distributing 500 school backpacks ( in cooperation with ICNA-Relief)
filled with school supplies to young people from the neighborhood where
Masjid Al-Islam is located (August 2011)• Running a winter wear drive for the needy organized by Y.E.S. - the Masjid's Youth Empowerment Squad (winter 2011-2012)
• Assisting new refugees (1987-present)
Once again, based on its related aims of "being a model community" and "fighting poverty" the Masjid Al-Islam community sees the need to secure a bigger facility that
would be of benefit to both its worshippers and neighbors. Consequently on the eve of its
25th anniversary, Masjid Al-Islam wishes to embark on a rehabilitation /building project
designed to meet the long term needs of its worshippers and the surrounding community.

The components of this effort include:

1. Rehabilitating 55 Gilbert Avenue to serve as a more family and communityfriendly facility while doubling our Friday prayer capacity from 250 to 500
2. Using 624 George Street as a prayer space and family education, support
and social center
3. Converting 47-49 Gilbert Avenue to rental property to generate income for
the Masjid and its community programs.

The Masjid community is sponsoring this year's United for Change Conference
in order to publicize its cause and to elicit the support of the wider community in raising
$450,000 to support this phase of its community-oriented development. We are counting
on your support to help empower us to be able to better serve the needy members of both
our Muslim and our human families.