Purpose of the Islamic Community Fund at UCLA:

The purpose of the Islamic Community Fund at UCLA is to help build a Masjid that is walking distance from the UCLA campus in order to facilitate Islamic growth for the Muslim community at UCLA, as well as the greater LA community.

Why support a masjid at UCLA?

More than two decades ago, a small group of international students seeking to preserve their heritage and identity founded the Muslim Students’ Association at UCLA. Since then, the MSA has evolved into a thriving student community engaging the campus and entire society through community service, outreach, and educational projects. As Muslim students came together in an environment away from home, the MSA became more than simply an “organization.” It became a community—a space where Muslim students felt comfortable growing and strengthening their identity.

Muslims through these projects add a valuable voice to UCLA, one that speaks for its Muslim students, seeks to dispel harmful myths, and is committed to broadening horizons all around. As a community, Muslims at UCLA develop leaders who use their education as a tool with which to engage their peers and further empower themselves. The UCLA MSA strives to build bridges with other communities to maintain meaningful dialogues. Thus, the Muslim community at UCLA is a religious, cultural, social, political, and philanthropic vehicle that produces individuals who fulfill not only the vision of Islam, but ultimately the vision of model citizens of the world.

However, sadly, the MSA has lacked adequate physical space of its own. An organization consisting of about 2700 students, staff and community members is constantly moving from place to place just to offer the daily prayers. Moreover, the community lacks a suitable and adequate venue for Jumu'ah changes and other programs. Currently, most students pray in a parking lot outside of Kerckhoff hall. Over the past few years Jumu'ah has been held in many different venues such as:

 

 

Although, we are grateful to Allah (swt) for providing us with a place to pray, most of these venues are unsuitable, uncomfortable, and unsafe because:

• Generally the random locations on campus are not suitable or large enough to accommodate the congregations. These random locations on campus are often difficult to find or predict, resulting in sometimes half the congregation appearing at the prior week's location in confusion.
• On campus room reservations are not always guaranteed and the only appropriate venues are on high demand by other student groups thus causing inconveniences for the Friday sermon/prayer. Moreover, proper equipment (such as a sound system) is almost never accessible.
• There is a significant lack of accessibility to Muslim scholars, Imams, and religious leaders.

Furthermore, the locations are subject to adverse weather conditions (i.e. rain, saturated grass, etc). Above all, fluctuating venues makes it difficult for brothers and sisters to establish a regular routine of attending spiritual events.

Benefits of the Masjid

• • The Masjid will create an appropriate and convenient venue for the establishment of the most important part of the Muslim’s life- the daily prayers.
  • The Masjid will increase involvement of Muslim in the community. The diverse array of services that the Masjid will offer will draw an increasing number of Muslims. This network will enhance the spiritual, social, and academic aspects of student life.
  • The Masjid will be used as communal space for the Muslims on campus where they can find safety and comfort as well as a stronger social and spiritual network.
  • The Masjid will provide a full-time Imam, as well as visiting scholars and religious leaders to offer students and community a chance to increase their knowledge and strengthen their faith.
  • Function as a cultural center
  • The Masjid will deepen understanding and cultivate respect among religious faiths.
  • The Masjid will offer the community instruction on eclectic elements of Islamic history that will lead to a better understanding of the progression of Islamic heritage.
  • The Masjid will enhance the outreach and positive public relations of the Muslim community in West LA and California.
  • The Masjid will be the best place for follow up and education to those searching for knowledge regarding Islam