Website: www.idrismosque.com
September 30, 2006

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

As Salaamu Alaikum,

This notice is to clarify authority, operational procedures and recent actions at Idriss Mosque.
The Islamic Center of Washington, an independent legal non profit organization, also known as the ICW holds a legal responsibility for the management and operation of the Idriss Mosque, effective, July 2005.
The ICW working with the Idriss Mosque Board of Trustees established a set of operational guidelines for retaining the sanctity of the Mosque and continuing Islamic education for our community and the general public.
There has been a long standing procedure in place at Idriss Mosque that require all persons, programs, events and activities in, or at Idriss Mosque to abide by and coordinate such activities in accordance to policies and with the ICW.
The ICW desires to work with all community members, parents, volunteers and mosque visitors in a just manner whereby the safety of all persons on mosque premises are, inshaallah, ensured.
Controversy regarding a weekend Sunday activity at Idriss Mosque has arisen. The ICW understands the Idriss Mosque; for more than ten years; had made attempts to gather information regarding the weekend activity because such activities involve minor children and alleged receipt of revenue to an Idriss Mosque program.
The ICW nor Idriss Mosque has knowledge, which is required, of the amount of finances received, who maintains such funds, how funds are used, what is being taught in the program, who attends or participates, program policies, student disciplinary rules, volunteer names and abilities to teach minors, but more importantly there is no knowledge of any volunteer’s character or background, as being fit, to work with vulnerable minors.
In July 2005, a letter seeking cooperation and information, from the lead volunteer was issued by the ICW administrator. The letter requested the following basic information:
• List of children enrolled with their guardians.
• List of all teachers/volunteers.
• The curriculum.
• All relevant documents, such as registration and introductory letter.
• Financial Statements.

To date neither the ICW nor Idriss Mosque has received a response to the above request.

The former ICW Education Director contacted the lead volunteer of the Sunday activity. The former Director’s goal was to confirm the organization and operation of the program activities. The ICW requested a confirmation of information regarding the Sunday program due to its legal responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of all persons participating in Idriss Mosque events, programs, or activities. It is well known many activities occur at Idriss Mosque, due to the Mosque administrative policy of openness and welcome, to all and the ICW acknowledged the Sunday program as one such activity.
The former ICW Educational Director advised engaging in discussion and having contact with the lead volunteer of the Sunday program. After repeated efforts of trying to work with the lead volunteer, which were unsuccessful, the former Director reported a lack of cooperation, from the lead volunteer resulting in an inability to obtain either documents or information as requested by the ICW.
The current ICW Educational Director met or had contact with the lead volunteer or his designee on the following dates: January 22, 29, February 5, 18, 19, 26, March 14, 20, April 2, 9, 30, May 7, July 17, and July 20th, 2006. The current director advised the lead volunteer and/or the designee that a legal need existed for the following information, as well as the information that was sought by the former Director for protection and safety of the Idriss Mosque, parents, guardians and minor children attending or participating in activities at Idriss Mosque.
• Student registrations
• Parent/guardian contact information
• Parent brochure
• Lesson plans
• School rules/discipline guidelines
• Emergency plans
• School menu

The current director also received a lack of cooperation from the lead volunteer.
Additionally the ICW Administrator of Operations, Treasurer, President, and Vice President all met with the lead volunteer, as well as met with some Muslim community members, on several occasions, in attempt to demonstrate justice in the matter of the Sunday program, with all parties.
Non compliance of a public verbal agreement made at Idriss Mosque, between Ismail Ahmad, members of the ICW Executive Committee and some community members caused the Sunday program interruption. The verbal agreement was a negotiated resolution to grievances Ismail Ahmad expressed, to the ICW, concerning program information requests from the current ICW Education Director regarding the weekend program.
The verbal agreement was made during a special meeting requested, by Ismail Ahmad and some concerned community members, as well as some parents of minors attending the Sunday program. The agreement was an effort, by the ICW, to ensure keeping the program operational for the children, parents and Islamic community.
The meeting was held Thursday, August 10, 2006. The verbal agreement was reached with input from all parties attending the meeting through consensus, after discussion and clarification, from ICW Committee members requiring “… all minors who attend the Idriss Mosque Sunday activities must be registered…”
During the meeting Ismail Ahmad stated he had in his possession, completed registration forms, from parents/guardians for minors who were attending the Sunday program. Additionally Ismael Ahmad acknowledged he understood the registrations in his possession would be accepted by the ICW, for the current summer session only and that a new registration would be required after the current session ended. The understanding of the agreement was clear to all parties, at the meeting, yet to date neither the ICW nor Idriss Mosque has received any registration forms, nor reasonable response for non receipt of registration forms, from Ismael Ahmad. Thus, after all the efforts by the ICW to retain operation of the Sunday program the failure of Ismael Ahmad to honor this agreement; e.g., submit registration forms, placed the ICW in a position of no option, other than temporary interruption, of the Sunday program.
The Idriss Mosque as an educational institution desires to have ongoing Islamic programs for children, youth and the public. ICW and Idriss Mosque policy requires programs involving children or persons not of legal age to have on premise at all times, when neither the parent nor legal guardian of the minor is present; registration and permission for attending such programs.
The ICW on behalf of the Idriss Mosque maintains confidentiality of all registration documents and family information, on file, in the Mosque. The ICW will only provide such information to personnel, police, fire, and medical staffs on a need to know basis; i.e. emergencies. ICW policy also requires all events, activities and programs at Idriss Mosque to have on file, in the Mosque, all documents and information regarding operation. Program information will be provided, when or if requested, to the State of Washington, Idriss Mosque Board of Trustees and ICW Executive Committee members to validate clear written understandings of events, activities and programs operating within the Idriss Mosque.
The ICW retains the legal right to interrupt any event, activity, or program not adhering to the ICW or Idriss Mosque policies. The interruption of the Sunday program was based on a lack of cooperation, information and documents requested for both ICW and Idriss Mosque legal and public safety concerns.
The intent of the Idriss Mosque and ICW is to establish and offer high quality, professional, Islamic educational programs.

Wa Alaikum As Salaam
Idriss Mosque Administration
Islamic Center of Washington


September 26, 2006

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

As Salaamu Alaikum,

This notice is to clarify authority, operational procedures and recent actions at Idriss Mosque.
The Islamic Center of Washington, an independent legal non profit business organization, also known as the ICW holds a legal responsibility for the management and operation of the Idriss Mosque, effective, July 2005.
The ICW working with the Idriss Mosque Board of Trustees established a set of operational guidelines for retaining the sanctity of the Mosque and continuing Islamic education for our community and the general public.
There has been a long standing procedure in place at Idriss Mosque that require all persons, programs, events and activities in, or at Idriss Mosque to abide by and coordinate such activities in accordance to policies and with the ICW.
The ICW desires to work with all community members, parents, volunteers and mosque visitors in a just manner whereby the safety of all persons on mosque premises are, inshaallah, ensured.
Controversy regarding a weekend Sunday activity at Idriss Mosque has arisen. The ICW understands the Idriss Mosque; for more than twelve years; had made attempts to gather information regarding the weekend activity because such activities involve minor children and alleged receipt of revenue to an Idriss Mosque program.
The ICW nor Idriss Mosque has knowledge, which is required, of the amount of finances received, who maintains such funds, how funds are used, what is being taught in the program, who attends or participates, program policies, student disciplinary rules, volunteer names and abilities to teach minors, but more importantly there is no knowledge of any volunteer’s character or background, as being fit, to work with vulnerable minors.
July, 21, 2005, a letter seeking cooperation and information, from the lead volunteer was issued. The letter requested the following basic information:
• Sign in sheets
• School calendar
• List of all volunteers
• Financial records; i.e. payments received, donations, etc.

To date neither the ICW nor Idriss Mosque has received a response to the above request.
The former ICW Education Director contacted the lead volunteer of the Sunday activity. The former Director’s goal was to confirm the organization and operation of the program activities. The ICW requested a confirmation of information regarding the Sunday program due to its legal responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of all persons participating in Idriss Mosque events, programs, or activities. It is well known many activities occur at Idriss Mosque, due to the Mosque administrative policy of openness and welcome, to all and the ICW acknowledged the Sunday program as one such activity.
The former ICW Educational Director advised engaging in discussion and having contact with the lead volunteer of the Sunday program. After repeated efforts of trying to work with the lead volunteer, which were unsuccessful and repeatedly asking for general information about the Sunday program operation the former Director reported a lack of cooperation, from the lead volunteer resulting in an inability to obtain either documents or information as requested by the ICW.
The current ICW Educational Director met or had contact with the lead volunteer or his designee on the following dates: January 22, 29, February 5, 18, 19, 26, March 14, 20, April 2, 9, 30, May 7, July 17, and July 20th, 2006. The current director advised the lead volunteer and/or the designee that a legal need existed for the following information, as well as the information that was sought by the former Director for protection and safety of the Idriss Mosque, parents, guardians and minor children attending or participating in activities at Idriss Mosque.
• Student registrations
• Parent/guardian contact information
• Parent brochure
• Lesson plans
• School rules/ discipline guidelines
• Emergency plans
• School menu

The current director also received a lack of cooperation from the lead volunteer.
Additionally the ICW Administrator of Operations, Treasurer, President, and Vice President all met with the lead volunteer, as well as met with some Muslim community members, on several occasions, in attempt to demonstrate justice in the matter of the Sunday program, with all parties.
Non compliance of a public verbal agreement made at Idriss Mosque, between Ismail Ahmad, members of the ICW Executive Committee and some community members caused the Sunday program interruption. The verbal agreement was a negotiated resolution to grievances Ismail Ahmad expressed, to the ICW, concerning program information requests from the current ICW Education Director regarding the weekend program.
The verbal agreement was made during a special meeting requested, by Ismail Ahmad and some concerned community members, as well as some parents of minors attending the Sunday program. The agreement was an effort, by the ICW, to ensure keeping the program operational for the children, parents and Islamic community.
The meeting per Ismail Ahmad’s request was held Thursday, August 10, 2006. The verbal agreement was reached with input from all parties attending the meeting through consensus, after lengthy discussion and clarification, from ICW Committee members requiring “… all minors who attend the Idriss Mosque Sunday activities must be registered…”
During the meeting Ismail Ahmad stated he had in his possession, completed registration forms, from parents/guardians for minors who were attending the Sunday program. Additionally Ismail Ahmad acknowledged he understood the registrations in his possession would be accepted by the ICW, for the current summer session only and that a new registration would be required after the current session ended. The understanding of the agreement was clear to all parties, at the meeting, yet to date neither the ICW nor Idriss Mosque has received any registration forms, nor reasonable response for non receipt of registration forms, from Ismail Ahmad. Thus, after all the efforts by the ICW to retain operation of the Sunday program the failure of Ismail Ahmad to honor the agreement he made; e.g., submit registration forms, placed the ICW in a position of no option, other than temporary interruption, of the Sunday program.
The Idriss Mosque as an educational institution desires to have ongoing Islamic programs for children, youth and the public. ICW and Idriss Mosque policy requires programs involving children or persons not of legal age to have on premise at all times, when neither the parent nor legal guardian of the minor is present; registration and permission for attending such programs.
The ICW on behalf of the Idriss Mosque maintains confidentiality of all registration documents and family information, on file, in the Mosque. The ICW will only provide such information to personnel, police, fire, and medical staffs on a need to know basis; i.e. emergencies. ICW policy also requires all events, activities and programs at Idriss Mosque to have on file, in the Mosque, all documents and information regarding operation. Program information will be provided, when or if requested, to the State of Washington, Idriss Mosque Board of Trustees and ICW Executive Committee members to validate clear written understandings of events, activities and programs operating within the Idriss Mosque.
The ICW retains the legal right to interrupt any event, activity, or program not adhering to the ICW or Idriss Mosque policies. The interruption of the Sunday program was based on a lack of cooperation, information and documents requested for both ICW and Idriss Mosque legal and public safety concerns.
The intent of the Idriss Mosque and ICW is to establish and offer high quality, professional, Islamic educational programs.

Wa Alaikum As Salaam memorandum

 
MEMORANDUM
 
TO: IDRISS MOSQUE COMMUNITY,

FROM: ICW EDUCATION OFFICER

SUBJECT: PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE

DATE: 9/24/2007

CC: EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ICW, IDRISS MOSQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 
The following communication is to advise ongoing progress and to update information regarding Idriss Mosque education programs.
 
December 2006
1.Community meeting was called and held December 3, at Seattle Public Library Northgate Branch in response to concerns regarding interruption of educational programs at Idriss Mosque
2.Discussion and input from participants resulted in creation of an Educational Advisory Committee charged with evaluating past Idriss Mosque educational programs, procedures and processes then redesigning an educational program benefiting and meeting the legal obligations of Idriss Mosque while maintaining the desires, interest and needs of Islamic community members
3.December 9, the ICW Education Advisory Committee members met and began work
4.Personal invitation was offered, by the ICW Education Officer, to individuals and community members who had knowledge and/ or served as volunteers in the prior education program to participate in the development and redesign of the program
 
January, February, March, April 2007
1.Educational Advisory Committee members met bi weekly to develop, redesign and organize the beginning of high quality educational programs for the Idriss Mosque, Islamic community and general public as quickly as possible. The committee gathered program design information from successful Islamic schools in Washington State and throughout the US. The committee also gathered information from local, state and governmental agencies to make sure all legal requirements be met in the new program for adults and the safety of parents, children and youth
 
May 2007
1.Community meeting was called and held May 6, at Idriss Mosque to share the work completed by the Education Advisory Committee and to gather input for modification from community members
2.Advisory Committee members shared detail information for the redesigned education program; i.e. a dual language Arabic and English program focused on building relationships and developing Islamic morals and values for preschool, elementary, middle and high school students. Idriss Mosque Religious Committee leaders will assist in teaching and designing all school program content
3.Sister Carolyna, the ICW Educational Officer, is not the School Administrator
4.Job descriptions have been developed for a paid School Administrator and three (3) teachers
5.Community members in attendance at the meeting were in 100% agreement for the new program as designed. Community members encouraged the Advisory Committee to begin the education program as soon as possible
6.Costs for beginning the program are around $30,000 (family assistance with tuition, equipment, books, supplies, snacks)
 
Action Items
1.Establish separate bank account for Idriss Mosque education
2.Post flyers for Donations /sadaka to be given to Brother Gencer, or put in envelope marked for education and placed in mosque donations box , or donations may be sent to Idriss Mosque, Attention Brother Gencer, ICW Treasurer, for education at 1420 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125
3.Make school registration forms available in the mosque
4.Announce the school *Our Children - Our Amanah,* for education sadaka, after Friday prayers
 
Upcoming Advisory Committee Meetings
The ICW Education Advisory Committee will be holding meetings for interested parents and community members starting the first week of June. Inshaallah, the new education program will begin July 2007. Information and school registration meeting dates will be published soon, inshaallah.
Wa Alaikum As Salaam

ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE THROUGH ISLAMIC EDUCATION

IDRISS MOSQUE SCHOOL OPENING SPRING 2007

OFFERING

- PRE–SCHOOL
- ARABIC
- WEEKEND ISLAMIC STUDIES

- ADULT & CHILDREN’S CLASSES

- ESL CLASSES
- SCHOOL TUTORING

- HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EDUCATION APPLICATION

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 9/11/2001: "American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."
Let me reiterate: "We strongly condemn in no uncertain terms the horrifying attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. We are shocked and angered by such brutality and share all the emotions of our fellow citizens against these attacks, which targeted all Americans without exceptions. We firmly believe that there can be no justification for such horrible acts.
We join the nation to call the perpetrators of this terrible crime to be brought swiftly to justice. We commend the statements of President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and the numerous senators and members of Congress who have cautioned against attempts to stigmatize the American Muslim and Arab-American communities or blame them for the tragedy.
We urge our fellow Americans, our Administration and media to follow their lead and not assign any form of collective guilt against communities for crimes of individuals."
We wish to publicly thank:
Governor Gary Lock
Seattle Mayor Gary Nichols
King County Executive Ron Sims
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske
Churches Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Quakers
Numerous individual expressing concern and support
 
In the name of God, the most Compassionate and the most Merciful
 
In commemoration of the first anniversary of the airplane terrorist attacks on the NY World Trade Center and the Pentagon on the morning of September 11, 2001, we the American Muslims condemn in no uncertain terms this heinous crime against innocent people. We share all the emotions of our fellow-American citizens against these acts of terrorism. The Qur’an, the revealed Word of God, says that killing an innocent person is tantamount to killing all mankind. We have gone through shock, agony and grieve. Terrorism is a gateway to Hell and not a doorway to paradise.
Islam commands peace, justice and tolerance towards all human beings regardless of race, faith or gender. All Islamic systems are built on the fundamental concept of universal peace. A favored prayer in Islam is: (O’ God, You are Peace and from You comes peace and onto You returns peace, O’ God let us enter, the House of Peace). The word “Islam” itself means peace.
We recognize and appreciate that there were many fellow-Americans including government officials, religious organizations, neighbors and ordinary citizens supported and protected the Idriss Mosque and comforted the Muslim community in time of need. We are mightily thankful for their kindness. We kindly urge our fellow-Americans, civil and religious leaders, administration and media to caution against attempts to stigmatize the American Muslims and Arab-Americans and assign any form of collective blame and guilt against communities for crimes committed by individuals.
We pray to Almighty God to help us as a nation of diverse religions, races and ethnic heritage to bind together in unity and fellowship.
We pray to you O` Lord of the Universe to guide us, preserve our freedom, our democratic institutions and set us on the righteous path of life which conforms to Your Will and Pleasure.
We pray to you O’ Allah to instill patience, tranquility, wisdom and courage to our leaders and all those involved to implement justice without hate or revenge.
We pray to you God to help our leaders to learn from any mistakes, omissions and policies that allow tragedies such as that of September 11 to happen.
We pray to you God for Universal peace.

Idriss Mosque 2001 Community Support

COMUNITY NOTICE
Effective September 28, 2006

THE WEEKEND SUNDAY PROGRAM IS INTERRUPTED
UNTIL STUDENT REGISTRATION OCCURS AND THE ICW HAS RECEIPT OF REGISTRATION FORMS