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The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center (Template:Lang-ar, Template:Lang-en) is a masjid (mosque) located in the Falls Church area of Northern Virginia.

Background

Founded in 1982 by a group of mostly Arab college students, it is one of the first masjids to be established in Northern Virginia, near Washington, DC. The Saudi-backed North American Islamic Trust (NAIT) purchased 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. The current building, on a 3.4 acre plot, was finished for $5 million in 1991 ($11,184,950 in current dollar terms) with financial help from the Saudi Embassy's Islamic Affairs Department. It is one of the area's oldest, largest, and most influential mosques.

The mosque sits at the corner of Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Row Street, near a number of apartment units and single-family homes in which many Muslim families live. Numerous halal restaurants, grocery stores, and other Muslim businesses are also located nearby.

Activities

The mosque holds prayers five times daily, and Friday prayer attendance exceeds 3,000 people. In September 2004, about 60 per cent of its membership was Arab, with an increasing percentage coming from countries such as 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 is open for group tours.

Imams

Mohammed al-Hanooti

The mosque's Imam from 1995-99 was Mohammed al-Hanooti, born in Haifa, British Mandate of Palestine. He spoke up for Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, who was deported in 1997 and indicted years later on charges of arranging financial support for Hamas, which the U.S. views as a terrorist organization. In 1998, al-Hanooti criticized President Clinton for ordering U.S. military strikes in Sudan and Afghanistan, saying there was not enough convincing evidence to justify the violence.

Al-Hanooti was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. In 1999 he testified in support of Ihab M. Ali, who refused to testify before a grand jury investigating the 1998 United States embassy bombings, telling the federal judge that Islamic law "gives him the right to abstain from giving testimony in case it hurts him or it hurts any other Muslim."

Anwar al-Awlaki

Anwar al-Awlaki, who was Imam at the mosque between January 2001 and April 2002, has been accused of being a senior Al-Qaeda recruiter and motivator linked to various terrorists, and is now wanted in Yemen on suspicion of al-Qaeda links. Supporters of the mosque say that al-Awlaki publicly condemned the 9/11 attacks, and was not known to give radical speeches at the time.

Johari Abdul-Malik

The mosque uses a "team approach". Its Director of Outreach since June 2002 is Brooklyn-born Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, who said:

“It’s important that there’s an American at 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.”

Abdul-Malik spoke up in 2003 in defense of Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi, founder of the American Muslim Council, who was indicted on charges of engaging in illegal financial transactions with Libya. However, in 2004 al-Amoudi pled guilty to financial and conspiracy charges, and was sentenced to 23 year years in jail.

In 2004, speaking of Palestinian suicide bombers, Abdul-Malik 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 a principle."

When Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, who worshiped and taught Islamic studies at Dar Al-Hijrah, for which he also was a camp counselor, was charged by US prosecutors with plotting with members of al-Qaeda to assassinate President George W. Bush, Abdul-Malik said in February 2005: "Our whole community is under siege. They don't see this as a case of criminality. They see it as a civil rights case. As a frontal attack on their community." He added: "The feeling I get here on a daily basis must be what it was like to be a member of Martin Luther King Jr.'s church following the case of Rosa Parks. People always ask, 'What is the latest from the courthouse?'" Abdul-Malik accused the government of singling out Abu Ali to stir anti-Muslim sentiment. Abu Ali was convicted in 2005 of providing material support to the al-Qaeda terrorist network, and conspiracy to assassinate President Bush, and is serving a life sentence.

When in April 2005 Ali al-Timimi of Fairfax, Virginia, an American-born Muslim cleric, was convicted of inciting followers to wage war against the US just days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and of recruiting for the Pakistani terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Toiba, and the paintball terrorist cell, Abdul-Malik said: "There is a view many Muslims have when they come to America that you could not be arrested for something you say. But now they have discovered they are not free to speak their minds. And if our opinions are out of vogue in the current climate, we feel we are all at risk." Al-Timimi was sentenced to life imprisonment.

After the July 2005 London bombings that killed 55 people, a 30-second anti-terrorism public service tv spot was run called “Not in the Name of Islam,” featuring Abdul-Malik and two American Muslim women. And in January 2008, Abdul-Malik was trying to establish a nationwide movement of Muslim men to lobby for the new interpretation of Chapter 4, Verse 34 of the Koran, long interpreted as giving husbands the right to beat their wives as the final step in an escalating series of punishments for being rebellious (following admonishing their wives, and then abandoning them in bed). “That is the linchpin, the fulcrum that justifies domestic violence in the Muslim context,” he said. The new interpretation would interpret the verse as calling for women to be obedient to God.

In November 2009, Abdul-Malik responded to al-Awlaki's support of the Fort Hood shooter by saying:

"Al-Awlaqi ... supported the crime that Hasan committed and said that the US Muslims who opposed the crime have betrayed the Muslim ummah (the community of Muslims worldwide) and are hypocrites. I answer him by saying that he has thus separated himself from the Muslim community in the United States. The holy Koran teaches us that we as US Muslims should enrich the society we live in with humanitarian services, wisdom, teaching God's beautiful verses about love, mercy, and compassion to all mankind."

Abdul-Malik went on to say that, of those who worshiped at the mosque and had discussed the Fort Hood shootings,

"Many of the immigrants focused on the conspiracy theory. Some said that Hasan did not commit the crime, but that it was committed by other US military personnel who then killed him and said that he was the one who did it. They are like those who said that the 11 September attacks were not committed by those who committed them, and that it too was a “conspiracy.” I am one of those whose ancestors came here hundreds of years ago. I am a black American, and I know that “denial” is the explanation of those who cannot explain what they see or hear, especially if they belong to a minority group and are not used to the US way of life. But we black Americans have passed these stages. We became involved in political action, and the President of the United States is now one of us. Perhaps I am saying what I am saying because I was a Christian, and became Muslim. But I believe that this issue is a temporary one, and we ask God to raise us from one stage to another."

Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh

Sheikh Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh, formerly a Muslim Brotherhood member in the 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 (leaving to become the executive director of the Fiqh Council of North America, an association of Islamic legal scholars).

Commenting in 2004 on 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."

Shaker Elsayed

The resident Imam since June 1, 2005, has been Shaker Elsayed, a Shariah law scholar, who was born in Cairo, Egypt. From 2000-05 he was the Secretary General of the MAS.

He served as an unofficial spokesman for the family of Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, who had worshiped at Dar Al-Hijrah, and was charged with plotting to assassinate President Bush. Elsayed said the case against Abu Ali was based on a confession to Saudi authorities he termed "laughable," and Elsayed accused the Justice Department of unfairly targeting Abu Ali and other young Muslims for prosecution. Abu Ali was convicted, and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Board of Directors and Executive Committee

The mosque's 9-member Board of Directors consists at any time of the then-current Secretary General of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), President of Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA), General Manager of North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), President of Muslim American Society (MAS), and President of the Executive Committee, and four members. Directors serve for 5-year terms, and new Directors are elected by the then-current Directors. Dr. Esam Omeish, former President of the MAS, is a member of the Board.

Dar Al-Hijrah has a 7-member Executive Committee; every two years four committee members are appointed by the mosque's Board, while the other three are elected by its membership. Imams Shaker Elsayed and Johari Abdul-Malik serve on the Executive Committee.

The mosque had 250 voting member families as of September 2004.

Outreach

Dar Al-Hijrah is active in community outreach and service, and promoting mutual understanding in the local area. It participates in community food, back-to-school supply, and clean-up drives, is engaged in interfaith projects, and participates in civil rights work. It's 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 serves everyone who wants to come eat, whether Muslim or non-Muslim; over 800 free meals every night. Also during Ramadan, it sponsors interfaith and civic iftar dinners with different faith groups to promote mutual understanding. It also distributes tens of thousands of dollars in zakat every Ramadan.

Controversy

Several sources indicated that Nidal Malik Hasan, the sole suspect in the November 5, 2009, Fort Hood shootings, attended the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque at the same time in 2001 as Nawaf al-Hazmi and Hani Hanjour (two of the September 11 hijackers), who attended the mosque for several weeks during 2001 when Anwar al-Awlaki was Imam there; a law enforcement official said that the FBI will probably look into whether Hasan associated with the hijackers. In addition, it has been reported that the phone number for the mosque was found in the Hamburg, Germany, apartment of one of the planners of the September 11 attacks, Ramzi Binalshibh, though the significance of this finding was not stated. 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.

The mosque issued a statement condemning the Fort Hood shootings, and al-Awlaki's praise of them.

Abelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar, 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.

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 the September 11 attacks. The Washington Post reported that its leaders have strongly criticized U.S. law enforcement actions against Muslims and U.S. policies in the Middle East. The Washington Post also reported that the mosque is closely affiliated with the Muslim American Society, which has been linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Notes

1. Stewart, Nikita, "Muslims Find Room to Grow in D.C.'s Outer Suburbs," The Washington Post, August 1, 2005, accessed November 12, 2009
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3. The Congregation: About Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center (pbs.org)
4. Infiltration: how Muslim spies and subversives have penetrated Washington, p. 338, Paul E. Sperry, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2005, ISBN 1595550038, 9781595550033, accessed December 12, 2009
5. Masters, Brook, "Sept. 11 witness languishes in jail; Volunteering information on hijackers led to lengthy incarceration," The Washington Post, May 5, 2002, accessed November 12, 2009
6. Muslim Voters Meet Candidates, Officials at Picnic (washingtonpost.com)
7. "Mohammed Al-Hanooti". Muslim American Society. Retrieved November 15, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
8. Pamela Constable and Karin Brulliard (2007-03-16). "Iraq Strife Cuts Close for Va. Cleric". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-11-15. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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11. "List of Unindicted co conspirators in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing". Militant Islam Monitor. December 6, 2005. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
12. Benjamin Weiser (1999-08-08). "Theological Discussion on Testifying Emerges in Terrorism Case". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
13. Imam Johari Abdul-Malik (November 9, 2009). "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Repudiates Praise for Fort Hood Killings". Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
14. Meek, James Gordon, "Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hasan 'is a hero': Imam who preached to 9/11 hijackers in Va. praises attack," New York Daily News, November 9, 2009, accessed November 12, 2009
15. "US imam wanted in Yemen over al-Qaida suspicions". Associated Press. November 10, 2009.
16. Spencer S. Hsu and Carrie Johnson (November 9, 2009). "Authorities scrutinize links between Fort Hood suspect, imam said to back al-Qaeda". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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18. Abdullah, Hannah, "U.S. Muslims Celebrate First Week of Ramadan Amid Tension", November 5, 2003, accessed December 7, 2009
19. 28 Fall from grace, Al-Ahram Weekly, 28 October 28 - November 3, 2004, Issue No. 714
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30. Mary Beth Sheridan (June 11, 2005). "Leader Named at Mosque". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
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32. "Guest CV, Shaker Elsayed". Islam Online. Retrieved November 12, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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34. Terry Frieden (March 14, 2005). "Man pleads innocent to al Qaeda aid in Bush plot". CNN. Retrieved November 14, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
35. "Activist imam puts politics into sermons". Washington Times. July 6, 2005. Retrieved November 14, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
36. ^ Barakat, Matthew, "The Religious is Political for Virginia Imam, Eugene Register-Guard, July 30, 2005, accessed November 13, 2009
37. "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Home, About us, Constitution", accessed December 10, 2009
38. "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Home, About us, Board of Directors", accessed December 10, 2009
39. "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Home, About us, Executive Committee", accessed December 10, 2009
40. "Va. Mosque Reaches Out, Joining Immigrant Fabric". The Washington Post.
41. Daniel Hayes. "10 Cooks, 21,000 Dinners, 30 Nights". Muslim Link Paper.
42. Fort Hood shooting: Texas army killer linked to September 11 terrorists, The Telegraph, November 7, 2009
43. Alleged Shooter Tied to Mosque of 9/11 Hijackers, The New York Times, November 8, 2009
44. Sperry, Paul E., Infiltration: how Muslim spies and subversives have penetrated Washington, Chapter 12: "The 9/11 Mosque: Dar al-Hijrah," p. 110, Thomas Nelson Inc (2005), ISBN 1595550038, 9781595550033, accessed November 11, 2009
45. Thompson, Paul, The terror timeline: year by year, day by day, minute by minute : a comprehensive chronicle of the road to 9/11--- and America's response, p. 172, Harper Collins (2004), ISBN 0060783389, 9780060783389, accessed November 12, 2009
46. "Report of the Joint Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001" (PDF). House Permanent Select Committee of Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence . December 2002. pp. p. 178. {{cite web}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
47. Dao, James, and Lichtblau, Eric, "Case Adds to Outrage for Muslims in Northern Virginia," The New York Times, February 27, 2004, accessed November 11, 2009
48. "Conviction upheld in Bush assassination plot". CNN. June 6, 2008.
49. Lichtblau, Eric, "American Accused in a Plot to Assassinate Bush," The New York Times, February 23, 2005, accessed November 12, 2009
50. Imam Johari Abdul-Malik (November 9, 2009). "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Repudiates Prise for Fort Hood Killings". Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
51. Eggen, Dan, and Markon, Jerry, "Hamas Leader, 2 Others Indicted; Justice Dept. Targets U.S. Fundraising for Militant Group," Washington Post, August 21, 2004; accessed December 7, 2009
52. "Transcript of Sentencing Proceedings," US v. Ashqar, November 21, 2007, accessed December 7, 2009
53. Goldberg, Jeffrey, Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror, pp. 286-87, Random House, Inc. (2008), ISBN 0375726705, 9780375726705, accessed November 11, 2009
54. Sheridan, Mary Beth (June 11, 2005). "Leader Named at Mosque; Falls Church Site Selects Activist". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 12, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

External links

• Dar Al Hijrah official website
• Dar Al Hijrah--Outreach Committee blog

• Mosques in the United States
• Buildings and structures in Virginia
• Falls Church, Virginia
• Religious organizations established in 1982