Islamic Center of Inland Empire Grand Fundraiser Raises $250,000
By Haseeb Patail
The Islamic Center of Inland Empire (ICIE), aka Rancho Masjid, organized a fundraising dinner on Friday, August 19 th 2011 at the beautiful Anaheim Hills Golf Course, Anaheim, California.
The event was attended by 300 guests, including well-known philanthropist community members and distinguished guests who attend this important community event to demonstrate their continued support for the Masjid and its activities. The event was also attended by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department. Prominent supporters that evening included the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley, Islamic Center of Claremont, Islamic Relief, Century 21 Town and Country, JFK, USFI from Dallas, Texas, Wildwood Chevron, and Khan Transportation.
Br. Shadaab Aziz was the Master of the Ceremony (MC). The event started with the recitation and translation of the Holy Qur’an by Br. Tim Wasil. Br. Shoaib Patail, Chairperson of the Center and a pediatrician by profession, welcomed the guests. He informed that the ICIE financial status is transparent and its account is verified annually by an independent CPA. Br. Shahid Razzak, a chemical engineer by profession, presented the Center’s history and financial report. Br. Shamel Abd-Allah, pediatric intensivist, presented the Ansaar Academy programs, including both weekday and weekend school programs as well as youth activities. The students of the Ansaar Academy also presented a Qur’an recitation at the event.
Sheikh Alae’din El Bakri shed light on the role of the Masjid and the importance of Islamic education and conducted the fund-raising part of the program graciously.
The event was appropriately named as “Continue the Journey” to gather both financial and community support for the mission of the Islamic Center of Inland Empire, which is to provide a comprehensive center that not only promotes Islamic education and values, but also actively participates in inter-faith community events. It also seeks to provide a self-sufficient facility on a non-profit basis for religious, educational and recreational activities of both Muslims and non-Muslims in the area.
The Center was founded in 1992 in a warehouse on the 9 th Street by a few families in the City of Rancho Cucamonga to take care of the religious, cultural and social needs of the Muslims in the area. The center was established not only to serve as a place of worship, but also as a place for holding community events, including interfaith events, educational lectures on the peaceful message and teaching of Islam, and after-school alternatives for children and youth. For further information please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2_ziXS7Un4&feature=youtu.be or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2_ziXS7Un4&feature=share
It is estimated that the number of the Muslim community members in the area exceeds twenty thousands and continues to grow at a rapid pace to mark a strong presence of Muslims in the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
The Iftar and dinner was catered by the famous Southern California Afghani Cuisine Kabul West.
By the Grace of Almighty Allah and with the help of the generous participants, the event was very successful and the community was able to raise
$250,000 (cash, checks and pledges) donation.
“In order to Continue the Journey, we seek your continuous benevolence and generous donations,” says a message.
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