Dear supporter and friend of the Mosque Foundation, Assalamu Alaikum.
As the immigrant American Muslim community matures, the very group our communities were founded to protect, the generation born in the fledging American Muslim landscape--our children--have developed from the inhabitants of our Sunday schools and have graduated to become the new generation of leaders.
According to a recent poll by Gallup's Center for Muslim Studies, more than a third of Muslims (36%) are between the ages of 18 to 29 years compared to 18% of the general American population. This emergent group of young adults must brace themselves to guide our Muslim institutions in the near future, taking the reins previously held by their parent generation, Insha'Allah, without losing their grip.
It is up to us to determine whether this transfer of responsibility from one generation to the next will be a smooth transition. Will our children hold their responsibility steadfastly, as their immigrant parents did? Have we equipped and prepared them well? Do we see them actively participating in our mosques and community functions? If the answer is a resounding yes, we have nothing to fear; however, we should not be complacent with ourselves. We must be assured that we have fully performed our own duties in training them to carry on that torch. This is a certainty that we must confront.
This generation is a major trust that Allah (SWT) has assigned to us. The Prophet (S) said, "Every one of you is a shepherd and every one of you is responsible for those under his care." (Tirmidhi)
We are currently at a crossroads. As our communities have expanded, our mosques need to transcend their original roles as places for prayer, and to become the primary force in forging and nurturing a distinct Islamic identity for this generation.
The American mosque needs to function not only as a place to meet the needs of adults, but also the needs of their children, who require a venue for spiritual growth, education, social support, and a healthy environment to build their sense of belonging as Muslims.
By the grace of Allah (SWT), the Mosque Foundation has endeavored to place our children at the forefront of its agenda, but this has come with challenges. Our Assidique Weekend School serves more than 650 students, who are not able to attend full-time Islamic schools and have no other place to learn Islam and Arabic. Our Community Center, formally known as the Youth Center, serves hundreds of our youth through educational, athletic and entertaining programs.
We extend you an invitation to make the Mosque Foundation the second home for your family. Please make one of your 1431/ 2010 resolutions to create a lasting connection between your children and the mosque. Enroll your children in our programs that cater to various age groups, from preschool to college, and get your entire family actively involved.
The mosque is your Second Home, a place where you will find counseling, service, inspiration, support, friendship, and authentic love for your community.
We hope you will grace us with your participation and financial support. Our Mosque, including the Community Center and Assidique Weekend School, depend on the generosity of people like you to cultivate our vision that American children carry on the torch of Islam proudly. Please support your mosque and share the rewards of thousands of worshippers and beneficiaries, men and women, old and young, immigrants and American-born, who make the Mosque Foundation their second home.
Wassalamu Alaikum.
Dr Zaher Sahloul, Sh. Jamal Said,
President Imam & Director