Establishing Community Life, Keeping Imam Mohammed’s Legacy Alive Durham, North Carolina Islam is a way of life, and the Believers of W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center (Durham) [WDMIC] had that thought in mind when we decided to embark on a journey of freedom and to honor Imam W. Deen Mohammed’s legacy by establishing the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center (Durham). Under the Leadership of Imam A. Munir Mohammed, we began our first Jumuah (Friday Congregational Prayer) on Friday, May 22, 2009. As quite a few Masjids/Islamic Centers have started, W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center started in the homes of the Believers. We held our first two Jumuahs in two dedicated family’s homes and from there, we decided to move to W.D. Hill Recreation Center which is located on Fayetteville Street in Durham, blocks from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). (Friday prayers are currently being held at Campus Hills Recreation Center while W.D. Hill undergoes renovations). Although a resident of Browns Summit, NC, Imam Munir and his family became fully committed to working with the Believers and Citizens of the City of Durham. Along with a BS in Social Work and an MS in Human Services, Imam Munir’s knowledge of the Qur’an and Life Example of Mohammed the Prophet (peace be upon him) enhanced his fortitude to become an integral part of community life in Durham. As a respected leader and assistant to other Imam’s throughout the country and a staunch supporter and student of Imam Mohammed, Imam Munir’s tireless dedication to the mission of Imam Mohammed – establishing a model community life – manifested itself amongst the members of W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center (Durham). In June of 2009, Imam Munir had initial meetings with the Mayor of Durham and also made connections with several religious leaders in Durham thanks to wholesome relationships established by Imam Abdul-hafeez Waheed with various city and religious officials. Following in the tradition of The Mosque Cares, the Ministry of the late Imam W. Deen Mohammed, these meetings solidified our commitment and spirit of supporting good government and continuous interfaith dialogue within the City of Durham. In the fall of 2009, W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center partnered with Believers United for Progress, a non-profit, interfaith organization committed to humanitarian and community service in the Durham Community. With this partnership, members of WDMIC (Durham) continued to support many endeavors in the Durham community including but not limited to: the monthly community kitchen feedings at Urban Ministries of Durham, HYPE (Hayti Youth for Progress and Enrichment) Program, the annual Community Dinner/Feeding during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan at W.D. Hill Recreation Center, the annual Thanksgiving dinner sponsorship and Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build. Imam Munir and the Believers of W. Deen Mohammed Islamic also committed themselves to engage in opportunities in the Durham Community to work with our youth and ensure that they involved in and contributing to community life as well. The first official meeting for W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center was held the day before the Collective Purchasing Conference (CPC) in Detroit, Michigan, a weekend of activities related to business life in the community that was established by our leader and teacher Imam W. Deen Mohammed. Recognizing that business is also an integral part of any successful community, members of WDMIC (Durham) dedicated themselves to supporting and helping to sustain local NC businesses such as Global Products, LLC Dr. Diaab’s Shea Butter Skin-Saver and New Visions of Africa Community Restaurant. Supporting culture and education were of primary concern for members of WDMIC (Durham) also. Having a balanced religious life is a crucial foundation for believers and classes for adults and children were established once again in the homes of believers. These classes included Islamic Studies, Quranic Arabic, Prayer, the Life of Muhammad, Life of the Prophets, the History of the Nation of Islam and Commentary of Imam W.D. Mohammed. Strong individuals make strong families and strong families make strong communities, so relationship classes were also established to strengthen individual relationships with self, G-d, family and friend. To further strengthen the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood within W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center, members coordinated several group trips in the fall of 2009 including trips to: Mt. Mitchell State Park in Asheville, NC; a Charlotte Hornets basketball game in Charlotte, NC; and a Muslim owned farm in Statesville, NC during Eid-ul-Adha to collectively offer a sacrifice. The meat was shared with family, friends, the WDMIC (Durham) community and Urban Ministries of Durham during one of the monthly community kitchen feedings. In the winter of 2009, members traveled to Atlanta to visit W. Deen Mohammad High School, the MLK Museum and attend a W. Deen Mohammed High School basketball game as well as the Honda Battle of the Bands. In the spring of 2010, members of W.D. Mohammed Islamic Center were afforded the opportunity to attend the 25th Anniversary Performance by Collage Dance Company at Duke University in Durham, NC. To further honor the life works and legacy established by Imam W. Deen Mohammed, WDMIC members decided to establish its first annual Anniversary and Awards “Promoting Human Excellence” Banquet on May 22, 2010. The theme is “One Creator, One Creation, One Humanity” and will honor members of the Durham Community who have contributed to Good Government, Interfaith Dialogue, Humanitarian Service, Business Excellence, Educational Excellence and Culture Enrichment. The Believers at W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center are energized, enthused, excited and with the help of G-d ready to carry the banner to uphold this great Religion and to keep Imam Mohammed’s passion for community life alive. We endeavor to build an industrious model community as envisioned by Imam W. Deen Mohammed: at the center, a Mosque/School Complex with a competitive curriculum and state-of-the art technology in the classrooms that promote the productive development of the students’ intellectual potential; Cultural Center for performing arts, wholesome entertainment, ethnic and cultural expression and complete with banquet and social facilities to celebrate life (births and weddings); economically and socially diverse neighborhoods with affordable single and multiple family housing, as well as independent and assisted living housing for senior citizens; and business strips with retail stores and professional offices in close proximity. We thank G-d for blessing us with our visionary Leader who encouraged us to have the moral courage to stand up in our human spirit to serve G-d and the human family. We as a community are workers respecting everyone’s talents, positive attitudes, optimistic demeanors and intend to live up to our Leader, Imam Mohammed’s slogan “We Cannot Stop Now”. We are committed to community and family life, putting G-d first and knowing without fail or hesitation that G-d will never let our good works be lost.
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