President's Annual Report

O Rabb, make us both Muslims (submissive to You); and make our descendants a nation that will be Muslims
(submissive to You). Teach us our rites of worship and forbear our shortcomings; surely, You are theAcceptor of
repentance, the Merciful.( Al-Baqara 2.128)

The executive committee of the Islamic Society began its new year with three new members, but soon after
the election one member resigned and this position could not be filled till August 2005. Later on another
member of the executive committee resigned. Despite these and other restraints, the executive committee
performed its functions as permitted by the circumstances.

One of the main item in ISK agenda was to complete the hiring of an Imam for the ICK. Funds were raised
for the Imam during the fund raising dinner of 2005. This provided a financial foundation to build on, and to
proceed with the process of hiring an Imam. Once the Imam committee completed its home work, a joint
meeting of the executive committee and the Imam committee was held. The executive committee approved a
financial plan to meet the financial requirements, approved the advertisement, and the job description.
Following the responses to the advertisement, interviews were conducted and the process has moved forward
along with the community involvement at various levels. I pray to Allah SWT to complete this project the
way it benefits Islam and this community.

The executive committee allocated previously raised funds for the various projects such as the septic system,
building roof and parking lot etc. Consequently, parking lot of the Islamic Center was extended by creating
more unpaved parking spaces, which has facilitated the parking during the Eid prayers and other large
gatherings. The increased use of the ICK requires better maintenance as well as needed adjustments.
During the year usual educational activities were maintained except that there was no annual educational
conference. The summer children day camping was encouraging. There is an intention of merging summer
school and day camping for the next year. The level of external Dawa work was sustained, but there was no
new initiative for internal Dawa. A program to assist Queens’ pastoral services master degree students to
learn about Islam and Muslims, is being worked out with the Queens Theological college. A joint interfaith
group, which ISK is a part of, is considering a joint fund raising event for a local charity. After a lull period,
a social committee has been functional. Alhamudllilah it has organized a number of functions. It is
encouraging to see new brothers and sisters in other committees too. Women’s representative with the help
of sisters had been active having routine meeting at the center, as well as raising funds for the local charities
as a humble contributions by the Muslims.

Library committee has added a number of new books to the Library. With the new set up at the correctional
services, ISK has been struggling to coordinate this with correctional services to evolve a process to provide
assistance to the inmates in the area. Cemetery committee has coordinated with the Glenhaven Cemetery and
successfully produced a list of plots in the cemetery. In general, we often complain about the media but our
own media organ “The Bond” starved for contributions by the community, yet, it managed to emerge on
monthly basis.

Fund raising is a continuous activity for the ICK, therefore the fund raising committee has been routinely
planning and executing fund raising activities. The annual expenses for the Islamic Center currently range
between $20,000 to 25,000, and Alhamdullilah, we are meeting these needs. With the hiring of the Imamthe
expenses are expected to range between $55,000 to 60,000. This substantial increase can only be met
with the steady contributions by the members. Some members of the community already have made
pledges to contribute toward this fund, others intend to do the same on the arrival of Imam. We need to
commit and contribute toward this fund through automatic deductions.

ISK raised funds for earthquake in Pakistan, contributed to other charities, and tried to help when need was
felt in the community. May Allah SWT accept the donations of all those who contributed toward these funds.
The Islamic Society executive committee reflects the community. To expect leadership from the executive
without membership willing to contribute its own time, resources and support is a false expectation. The
increased work load also demands that any one accepting ISK executive positions should be able to make a
sincere commitment of contributing time, making effort and exhibiting determined community spirit for the
sake of Allah SWT.

May Allah SWT accept what was done right and forgive me for any mistakes which might have been made.
Rabb! Make my entrance, the entrance with truth and make my exit, the exit with truth and grant me a
supporting authority from your presence; Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Your presence and dispose of
our affairs for us in the right way.

Mohammad Saleem 2 March 2006.
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