About Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center: Established in 1983, Dar Al-Hijrah is the oldest mosque and Islamic Center serving the Northern Virginia Muslim community. The center holds 5 daily prayers, hosts more than 3000 congregants during Friday prayers, and serves the local community through weekly food banks and other social service functions.
For more information contact:
Saif Rahman
Director of Public & Government Affairs
+1-571-399-5292
[email protected]
Falls Church, VA, June 23, 2023 – Dar Al-Hijrah (DAH), which literally means “Home of Migration”, is pleased to announce that we have been accredited by the Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration (PRM) to join Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Ethiopian Community Development Council and Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services as an additional affiliate resettlement agency, and the only Muslim agency, in Northern Virginia. The Dar Al-Hijrah Refugee Services office will partner with Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to provide Reception and Placement (R&P) services to refugees selected for resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Dar Al-Hijrah, continues to be instrumental in supporting refugee populations during critical moments in recent history. In 2020, in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Dar Al-Hijrah Social Services served more than 5,000 Afghan refugees, providing essential services like food, shelter, and medical assistance, as well as emotional support and counseling during their initial transition period. Our volunteers logged over 10,000 hours in assisting these families to navigate their new lives.
Moreover, other Dar Al-Hijrah social service programs were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that hit the refugee community particularly hard. Our food pantry service ramped up operations, supplying over 15,000 meals per month at the height of the pandemic. This was a 50% increase from pre-pandemic times. Additionally, Dar Al-Hijrah Social Services provided assistance with unemployment applications, remote learning support for children, and coordinated virtual mental health workshops to address the compounded stress of the pandemic.
Dar Al-Hijrah has also worked closely with the local government and other social services organizations to ensure that refugees receive comprehensive support, including job placements, ESL classes, and culturally competent mental health services. From 2020 through 2022, we have helped secure employment for over 700 refugees in Northern Virginia, contributing to their successful integration into the community.
“We are proud of how far we have come in supporting and expanding our services to the refugee community during this critical time. Inspired by our faith, we have made social services a cornerstone of our work,” said Samir Abo-Issa, Dar Al-Hijrah’s Executive Director. “We welcome this extension of our work supporting newcomers, and we look forward to working with our partners to add resettlement capacity in Northern Virginia,” said Stacey Picard, Director of Dar Al-Hijrah’s Social Services department.
The approval from the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Dar Al-Hijrah team. With this new partnership with IRUSA and IRC, we are committed to enhancing our services, broadening our reach, and continuing to uplift the lives of those in need. Our goal remains unchanged: to ensure that every refugee in Northern Virginia can build a stable and prosperous life.
About Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center: Established in 1983, Dar Al-Hijrah is the oldest mosque and Islamic Center serving the Northern Virginia Muslim community. The center holds 5 daily prayers, hosts more than 3000 congregants during Friday prayers, and serves the local community through weekly food banks and other social service functions.
For more information contact:
Saif Rahman
Director of Public & Government Affairs
+1-571-399-5292
[email protected]
Falls Church, VA, September 26, 2022 – And when there comes to them information about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few. (Quran 4:83)
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center’s Board and Executive Team mourn the passing of Sheikh. Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi one of the foremost Islamic intellectuals and thinkers of our era. Dr. Al-Qaraqawi visited Dar Al-Hijrah many years ago and played a pivotal role in writing about and shaping the body of Fiqh around Muslim minorities in the West. He was a prolific author of over 120 treatises of Fiqh and other Islamic theological subjects. He has lived in exile from his home country of Egypt due to continued persecution and passed away in his adopted country of Qatar.
We ask Allah swt to grant him the highest stations of paradise and to bless his family, his students, and Muslims all around the world with patience and fortitude. Verily to Allah we belong and to Allah we all return.
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About Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center: Established in 1983, Dar Al-Hijrah is a mosque and Islamic Center serving the Northern Virginia Muslim community. The center holds 5 daily prayers, hosts more than 3000 congregants during Friday prayers, and serves the local community through weekly food banks and other social service functions.
For more information contact:
Saif Rahman,
Director of Public & Government Affairs
+1-571-399-5292
[email protected]
Falls Church, VA. Friday, March 15, 2019 (Quran 2:114) And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allah’s Name be glorified and mentioned much in Allah’s Houses and strive for their ruin? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is disgrace in this world, and they will have a great torment in the Hereafter.
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center condemns in the strongest of terms the horrific terror attack against Muslim houses of worship in New Zealand today. The Terror attack has left 49 dead and many injured. Preventing worshippers of any faith from worshiping and terrorizing them in a sanctuary intended for the remembrance of the Almighty is particularly heinous. We are reminded in these circumstances that this terrorist attack is a product of the hate mongering, xenophobic, and bigoted rhetoric by some politicians and media throughout the world. We pray for our brothers and sisters in New Zealand, their families, and all those who have fallen victim to this attack. And we challenge our President to condemn all types of hate and supremacy and begin a conversation towards healing the divide.
Dar Al-Hijrah Hires Imam Naeem Baig as Outreach Director &
Mr. Saif Rahman as Director of Public and Government Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/03/2017- Dar Al-Hijrah is proud to welcome Imam Naeem Baig and Mr. Saif Rahman as the newest additions to our staff. Imam Naeem Baig will take up the duties of Outreach Director and Mr. Saif will take over duties of Director of Public and Government Affairs.
Imam Naeem Baig joins Dar Al-Hijrah with years’ experience in local and international interfaith and community work, most recently as the former President of Islamic Circle of North America, ICNA, as well as Director of Interfaith Alliances. Imam Baig serves as the co-chair of the ‘National Muslim-Christian Initiative; and Muslim Coordinator for the ‘Catholic-Muslim Mid-Atlantic Dialogue’, which takes place every year between Catholic Bishops and Muslim Leadership in America. Mr. Baig is serving as the National Moderator for ‘Religions for Peace USA’. He is also a member of the Board of ‘Interfaith Workers Justice”.
Mr. Saif Rahman joins Dar Al-Hijrah with years’ experience in national and international governmental work. He grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated with a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Maryland, College Park. Besides being a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Rahman held senior posts in the Iraqi government, including Chief of Staff to the Minister of Industry & Minerals (2004), Chief of Staff to the Speaker of Parliament (2005), the Director General of Research Directorate (2005-2007), and Advisor to the Vice President of Iraq (2009). He also serves on the Board of Directors of The Family and Youth Institute. In addition, he has completed Master’s level work in Arabic and Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) while living in Cairo, Egypt.
“We are excited to see two prominent members of the local and national Muslim community join our institute. Imam Naeem and Mr. Saif will be essential in growing our interfaith and government work to further our community’s interests as well as advance the mission and vision of Dar Al-Hijrah.” said Mr. Samir Abo-Issa, the Executive Director.
Imam Naeem and Mr. Saif bring with them years of invaluable experience and wisdom, we look forward to working side by side with them. The Dar Al-Hijrah community welcomes them, and we are confident in their ability to not only be outstanding representatives of this community, but the American Muslim Community at large.
Our prayers go out to the victims and those injured in the horrendous act of terrorism that took place in New York. We have not yet recovered from the Las Vegas attack only to be met with another act of barbaric violence that took the lives of 8 fellow citizens, and left dozens injured. We join the Nation in prayers for the families of the victims as they go through this difficult time and wish those injured a speedy and healthy recovery.
Read our Terrorism Statement of Position (October 18, 2017) below.
May the Almighty Guide Us All
It is with regret that we announce that as of October 1st , 2017, our beloved Imam Johari Abdul-Malik will no longer hold the position of Outreach Director. We extend our utmost gratitude and remain indebted to Imam Johari for his years of service to the community as he moves on to the next stage of his accomplished career.
Imam Johari has been a transformative force within our community since he founded our Outreach Department in 2002. Under his leadership, our community has forged unbreakable bonds of cooperation and understanding with our neighbors, Muslim organizations, interfaith communities, civic coalitions, government agencies, and the media. On numerous occasions, Imam Johari has stood firm, grounded, and courageously defended the community and its values in the most challenging times, reflecting the true meaning of American Muslim leadership. Imam Johari was and remains steadfast in his efforts in removing the stigma of hatred and Islamophobia that our community, and many others fall victim to. Day after day, he worked tirelessly to spread love in the face of hate, understanding in the face of ignorance, calm in the face of chaos. He gracefully worked alongside our fellow citizens who sought to learn more about Islam and created an environment of productive and bipartisan dialogue and partnership with Interfaith communities locally and nationally.
Imam Johari has agreed to continue serving the Dar Al-Hijrah community in a consulting capacity for community leadership and mentorship for our Outreach and Youth teams, supporting them in working on issues of civic engagement and interfaith in Northern Virginia. Imam Johari has also informed us that he will be moving on to fulfill his vision to serve American Muslim converts in DC, Maryland, and beyond. He recognizes their need for better organizing and focused care, to further their role in American Muslim communities and society at large. “I love my community at Dar Al-Hijrah but now is the time to give the next 15 years of my life to building capacity among American Muslim converts, their descendants, and their families in Washington, DC and throughout the nation. I sincerely thank all those who have helped to make this journey a success.” Imam Johari stated.
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center has a deep interest in supporting the development of the American Muslim converts community and would be honored to extend support and cooperation to Imam Johari in this important endeavor. Dar Al-Hijrah is not losing Imam Johari, we will continue to work closely to further develop our institution internally and to enhance our efforts externally. Imam Johari is and will forever be one of us, we wish him the best in his future endeavors, and look forward to continued cooperation and partnership. May Allah bless him, all the work he has done, and all the work he will do.
Lastly, Dar Al-Hijrah will continue to move forward in its unwavering commitment to the vision of the Outreach Program that Imam Johari has founded and built. The Board of Directors will be meeting next month to re-engage our strategic planning process, striving to enhance our work that is founded in faith, and growing in service.
DAH Statement: On Terrorism, October 18, 2017
“In recent years there have been thousands of statements denouncing terrorism from local, national, and international Muslim community leaders and top Islamic scholars. No other religious community in the United States faces a similarly unjust degree of scrutiny and is asked to continually denounce acts against humanity. The following statement is yet another example of clear-cut opposition to terrorism and all other forms of violence against innocent people.
Like all other religious traditions, Islam, in the strongest terms, prohibits humans from hurting or destroying the life of any innocent person.
Our Creator reminds us in the Holy Qur’an that “Whoever kills a person [unjustly] it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Quran, 5:32). Violence against civilians goes against the prophetic wisdom passed down from Moses until the final messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Although Islamic law* and historical precedent clearly invalidate terrorism and other types of violence, it is political unrest, economic challenges, and ignorance that lead some Muslims to carry out individual acts of hate or create violent movements. Religiously deviant violent extremist groups such as Al Qaeda, Daesh, and others have capitalized on social, political, and economic instability over the last few decades. They have justified their power-hungry violent acts through perverse interpretations of religious texts and the overwhelming majority of innocent civilians directly impacted have been Muslims.
Islamophobia, and other anti-immigrant sentiments have spiked dramatically in western countries over the last fifteen years, and these additional pressures have made social conditions difficult for many Muslims, especially children and young adults. Terrorist organizations have had some success in amplifying these oppositional narratives of “otherness”, prying on our children and other vulnerable people, however, we know that the views of the Muslim community towards violence are similar to that of every other religious community in the U.S.
Like every other American community, we strive to provide youth, young adults, and the wider community with opportunities to thrive economically, socially, civically, intellectually, and spiritually. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad–may peace and blessings be upon him and his family–was the greatest of human examples and provided the best example of human character.
According to the Qur’an, “There is no compulsion in religion,” and each individual is responsible for her/his own actions. The religiously deviant violent extremists who identify as Muslim will continue to be condemned by Muslim scholars and communities around the world and they should be punished appropriately for the harm they cause. The hate-fuelled acts of these individuals and groups should not engender collective punishment or demonization of 1.8 billion people around the world.
* The purpose of Islamic legal code, or shariah (literally meaning “the well-trodden path to the watering hole”) is to protect faith, life, lineage, intellect, and property. Terrorism, and other types of unjust violence are unequivocally illegal under Islamic Law.
DAH Statement: The Terror Attack in Las Vegas Monday, October 2, 2017
“Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
The Dar Al-Hijrah Community extends its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives today in Las Vegas. This barbaric act of terrorism left more than 50 fatally killed and nearly 400 Injured. Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims and those recovering as they go through this difficult time.
We remain committed to our work alongside our interfaith and community partners, towards common sense gun control laws that keep the public and our law enforcement, safer. It is times like these that warrant a more unified front in the face of terrorism, hate, and all acts of violence to further ensure safety in our country and communities.
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center joins with Fairfax County Clergy Standing Against KKK Inspired Violence and Bigotry
“Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
The Community of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center extends its deepest condolences to the families of Heather Heyer, Lieutenant Cullen, and Trooper-Pilot Bates following a senseless terror attack by White Supremacist in Charlottesville, Virginia. Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims and those recovering as they go through this difficult time.
Dr. Martin Luther King reminds us that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny, whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
We stand against terrorism in all its forms and shapes as we call on all people of goodwill to work together to end racist violence and active bigotry in order to uphold the values of this great nation. We remain committed to the struggle for social justice and freedom alongside our interfaith brothers and sisters.
As a member of the Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council, Dar Al-Hijrah joins its voice to their statement that can be read below:
“The Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council is horrified by the three deaths and the numerous people injured as a result of the acts of violence committed in the streets of Charlottesville Virginia on August 12, 2017. On that day, the actions displayed by the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and anti-Semites were an abomination and do not represent the respect the vast majority of Virginians have for all people. We grieve with the family and friends of the counter-protester and two State Police troopers who died and the many who were injured during the protest. It is more important than ever that we actively support community efforts to strengthen community acceptance and respect for all regardless of their race, religion, creed or nationality. The Council stands firm in its commitment to work for a community of inclusion, dignity and peace.”
07/21/2017
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
The Board, Administration, Imams, and Community continue to monitor the troubling developments at one of Islam’s most revered shrines, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, with outrage and indignation. Closing the mosque to worshipers and erecting metal detectors with checkpoints contravene international law, restrict freedom of religion of a whole population, and violate the internationally agreed upon status of the Al-Aqsa compound.
As citizens of a nation founded on religious liberty and one that upholds civil and basic human rights with upmost respect and sanctity, we call on all Americans to condemn and stand against these aggressions and violations of International law and basic human freedoms. We call upon the interfaith community and all people of faith to denounce these egregious actions in the Holy land and work with all people of conscience to protect and honor the rights of any people to worship in peace and harmony.
As a religious institution blessed with the protections of the US constitution and as advocates of justice, we call upon our community and all communities of faith to do everything in their capacity to afford the same God-given rights to the Palestinian people and all oppressed people anywhere in the world. Peace is attainable in the Holy land when all people are treated equally, afforded their religious liberties and guaranteed their endowed rights and human dignity.
TAKE ACTION
1. Call your members of Congress or Senate. Find their phone numbers at www.govtrack.us. Ask them to call Todd Holmstron, the director of the State Department’s Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs to ask him to pressure Israel to remove the metal detectors and checkpoints and to allow Palestinians access to Al Aqsa Mosque.
Holmstrom’s contact number: 202.647.3671.
2. Forward this message to your contact lists.
3. Organize an educational event at your mosque, church, synagogue, school or community group
4. Organize a local demonstration denouncing these actions and demand freedom of religious practices to the people of Jerusalem.
Our Statements are accessible at Hijrah.org/Statements
May the Almighty Guide Us All
07/17/2017
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
A Position Statement on Upholding Constitutional Rights and Protecting Religious Traditions
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center upholds Constitutional rights and the respect of all religious traditions for all Americans and people everywhere and firmly stands against all forms of stereotyping, racism and bigotry, including antisemitism, anti-black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry directed particularly at religious communities, minority groups, and indigenous peoples.
The tenets of justice and equality are interwoven in Islam; and, indeed, the Holy Quran celebrates the vast and rich diversity that exists among the global human family. “Surely in the creation of the Heavens and the Earth and in the variety of your tongues and your complexions are signs of wonderment” (Holy Quran 30:22).
While we at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center remain staunch supporters of the inherent freedoms of religion, thought, expression and speech, we do not condone nor tolerate bigoted or demeaning remarks or actions toward others, irrespective of religion, race, color, ethnicity, gender, or orientation.
The Board of Directors of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center ,as its highest authority, assures the greater Muslim community, the interfaith community and all people of conscience that our institution stands firmly against any form of hatred or bigotry directed at any religion or tradition. Our devotion and commitment to interfaith collaboration and dialogue remain unwavering as this commitment runs deep within our community and our institution.